Visible and invisible bordering practices. The EU-African migration conundrum and spatial mobility of borders
| Published date | 03 October 2016 |
| Pages | 300-314 |
| Date | 03 October 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-01-2016-0014 |
| Author | Christopher Changwe Nshimbi,Inocent Moyo |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Visible and invisible
bordering practices
The EU-African migration conundrum
and spatial mobility of borders
Christopher Changwe Nshimbi
Department of Political Sciences,
Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn),
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, and
Inocent Moyo
Department of Geography, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose –Despite enacting numerous legislations, policies and practices accommodating third country
nationals, Europe continues to erect a fortress against foreigners. The recent migration crisis on the shores of
the Mediterranean seem to validate this view. As Europe searches for optimal solutions to the migration
crisis, recent media and humanitarian organisation reports of surging African and Middle Eastern refugees
and migrants bring into sharp focus and test these immigration measures. For this cause, the purpose of this
paper is to interrogate European Union (EU)-Africa relationships on international migration issues.
Design/methodology/approach –Located in the evolving field of border studies, the paper employs the
concepts of displacement and humanitarianism in an effort to frame the EU-Africa relations on migration in
the context of borders, boundaries and frontiers. A thorough review and critical analysis of relevant
legislations, literature and media reports on the Africa-Europe migration interface is also conducted.
Findings –The militarisation, securitisation,restrictive and, sometimes,draconian immigrationregimes
do not provide sustainable solutions to the migration crisis facing Europe. A rethinking around the
integrationand inclusion of immigrantsinto Europe’s socioeconomicfabric, and addressing fundamental
and structural weaknesses in EU-Africa relationships and respective economies is essential.
Originality/value –Theoretically, the paper attempts to understand better, the way the EU and
Africa engage each other on international migration issues, in the context of border studies.
Empirically, the paper positions itself in policy engagements and the quest for practical solutions by
the two continents in view of the migration crisis currently facing Europe.
Keywords Migration, Social inclusion, Social exclusion, Borders, EU-Africa migration interface,
Fortress Europe
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
We interrogate European Union (EU)-Africa relationships on international migration
issues and argue that the EU’s handling of refugees and migrants from the Middle East
and, especially,Africa on the Mediterranean Sea does not provide a sustainable solution.
The hive of activityon the shores of the Mediterranean Sea seemsto suggest an enduring
migration challenge, confronting the EU and Africa, and their respective borders and
frontiers. TheEU theoretically appears to have a relaxed immigrationregime. In practice
the regime is, however, restrictive, as there are calculated attempts in the EU to exclude
refugees and migrants from Africa and the Middle East, among others.
This has forced the migrants to engage in desperate attempts to illegally and/or through
the services of human smugglers, migrate to Europe. Some of these migrants make it into
Europe,onlytobearrestedanddeported.Due to unsafe conditions and overcrowding on
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 13 No. 4, 2016
pp. 300-314
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJST SD-01-2016-0014
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
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WJSTSD
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