Controlling migration from Africa: A case study analysing the European Union's Partnership Framework with third countries
Author
Pihlava, Paula Marianne
Term
4. term
Publication year
2017
Submitted on
2017-05-31
Pages
90
Abstract
Europa har i de seneste år modtaget usædvanligt mange migranter, især på grund af den langvarige krig i Syrien og konflikter med grupper som Boko Haram og Al‑Shabaab i bl.a. Cameroun, Niger og Libyen. Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan EU har reageret på flere ankomster fra Afrika. I juni 2016 vedtog EU en ny Partnerskabsramme med tredjelande (også kaldet Migrationskompakten) – en ordning, hvor EU vil styre migrationen sammen med lande uden for EU ved at koble udviklingsbistand, handel og diplomati. Inden vedtagelsen blev kompakten kritiseret af over 100 ngo’er for risiko for menneskerettighedskrænkelser og for at omdirigere udviklingsbistand til at stoppe migration. Specialet analyserer, hvilke problemer der kan opstå, når EU bruger udviklingsbistand til at hjælpe tredjelande med at håndtere migration fra Afrika. Da ankomster via den centrale Middelhavsrute (fra Nordafrika mod Europa) er steget, er det vigtigt at forstå, hvilken retning EU bevæger sig i. Specialet er et casestudie af Migrationskompakten i fem prioriterede lande: Etiopien, Mali, Niger, Nigeria og Senegal. Analysen bygger på en kvalitativ indholdsanalyse af 45 EU‑dokumenter og seks udtalelser fra institutioner knyttet til kompakten samt interview med fire eksperter fra forskellige organisationer for at belyse mulige løsninger. Resultaterne viser, at der indtil nu kun er sket begrænset fremgang i de fem lande i forhold til kompaktens kortsigtede mål. Et centralt problem er, at bistand gøres betinget af, hvor godt landene samarbejder om de kortsigtede tiltag, hvilket ikke tyder på et ligeværdigt partnerskab. Landene presses til at bremse migrationsstrømme ved at stramme grænsekontrollen, hvilket skaber spændinger mellem afrikanske lande. Dermed flytter EU presset for at styre migration fra Europa til Afrika. For at reducere spændinger, skabe en mere lige planlægning og gennemførelse og gøre kompakten mere effektiv bør EU give afrikanske partnere en stærkere rolle, især de lokale myndigheder og de regionale organisationer. Overordnet bidrager specialet til forskningen i EU’s migrationspolitik ved at kaste lys over den stadig kun lidt analyserede Partnerskabsramme og dermed vise, hvilken kurs EU’s aktuelle politik tager.
In recent years, Europe has received an unusually high number of migrants, mainly due to the prolonged war in Syria and conflicts involving groups such as Boko Haram and Al‑Shabaab in countries like Cameroon, Niger, and Libya. This thesis examines how the European Union has responded to increased arrivals from Africa. In June 2016, the EU adopted a new Partnership Framework with third countries (also called the Migration Compact) – a policy that links development aid, trade, and diplomacy to manage migration with non‑EU partners. Before it was adopted, more than 100 NGOs criticized the Compact for potential human rights violations and for redirecting development aid toward stopping migration. The thesis analyzes what problems can arise when the EU uses development aid to help third countries manage migration from Africa. As arrivals via the Central Mediterranean route (from North Africa to Europe) have increased, it is important to assess the direction of EU migration management. The study is a case study of the Migration Compact in five priority countries: Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal. The analysis is based on a qualitative content analysis of 45 EU documents and six statements from institutions related to the Compact, and on interviews with four experts from different organizations to explore possible solutions. Findings show limited progress so far on the Compact’s short‑term objectives in the five countries. A key concern is making aid conditional on how well countries cooperate on short‑term actions, which does not suggest an equal partnership. The countries are pushed to curb migration by tightening border controls, creating tensions among African states. In effect, the EU shifts the pressure of managing migration from Europe to Africa. To reduce tensions, ensure more equal planning and implementation, and improve effectiveness, the EU should give African partners a stronger role, especially local authorities and regional organizations. Overall, the thesis adds to research on EU migration policy by examining the still under‑studied Partnership Framework and indicating the direction of current EU policy.
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