This research project examines to which extent conflict dynamics and refugee policy structures (including camp-like settings, refugee rights, refugee policies) have an impact on broader mobility patterns and dynamics in the war-torn Central-East African region. The aim is to understand mobility as an essential part of social life-making processes and to explore the political, regional and historical dimensions of these wartime mobilities. Given a context wherein refugee camp-settings have become extremely important in regional (mobility) dynamics, this research takes the refugee camp as the spatial and analytical starting point from which to study these dynamics. This original approach provides a fresh perspective and deeper understanding of conflict mobility in a region commonly known as one of the most protracted situations of displacement in the world and to which the international community has so far failed to find appropriate answers. The setting of Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda offers a highly relevant case, as it reflects the historical and central position of Uganda in conflict related mobility in the whole region. Herewith, the research aims to integrate refugee movements into the broader migration (hi)story of Central-East Africa and contribute to scientific and popular debates on migration and refugee mobility, the politics of (im)mobility, protracted refugee situations, belonging and citizenship.
- Funding: Fund for Scientific Research (FWO), Flanders
- People involved: Jolien Tegenbos (PhD researcher), Koen Vlassenroot (supervisor), Karen Büscher (supervisor)