No Refuge

Book excerpt: 'Africa's refugee and IDP camps are a cause of major concern to the international community. Millions of men, women and children endure situations of protracted displacement in deplorable conditions. In the absence of more durable solutions, refugees and IDPs in many situations are exceptionally susceptible to militarization. No Refuge describes how the phenomenon of refugee militarization threatens to undermine asylum and protection. This edited volume is a timely and invaluable resource for governments, UNHCR protection officers, UN agencies, and NGOs. It is a must-read for all concerned with improving the safety and rights of refugees and IDPs on the ground.' António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 'No Refuge provides a timely analysis by a group of Africa experts of the causes and consequences of refugee militarization in Africa. It should prove invaluable for practitioners, policy-makers and academics in their quest to find practical and effective remedies for this growing humanitarian and security problem. I highly recommend it.' Professor Gil Loescher, Centre for International Studies, University of Oxford The militarization of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) is a persistent and tragic feature of protracted displacement situations, especially in Africa. The phenomenon threatens access to asylum and protection-core pillars of refugee law and the mandates of aid agencies. But while policy debates rage over how best to disarm refugees and prevent them from destabilizing neighbouring states, there is surprisingly little evidence explaining why displaced people arm themselves or precisely how militarization affects hosting communities. No Refuge analyses the experience of refugee and IDP militarization in several African countries affected by and emerging from civil war, including Guinea, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. It provides a considered overview of the historical, political and regional dimensions of refugee and IDP militarization in Africa, as well as international and national efforts to contain it.