Although the countries of North Africa are not traditionally seen as great sources of displacement, they have seen their share conflict. It is estimated, for example, that nearly one million Algerians were displaced during that country's internal conflict in the 90s. Egypt continues to host many refugees fleeing Sudan and Somalia's civil wars.
The region is also increasingly becoming a transit zone for immigrants and refugees from sub-Saharan Africa seeking entrance to Europe, and as Europe tightens its borders, refugees are increasingly finding themselves being forced to seek refuge.
Focus on Darfur
Armed conflict continues to rage in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Already as many as 300,000 people are estimated to have died as a result of the conflict and more than two and a half million have been forced to flee their homes. Despite widespread media attention in the West, the authorisation of the largest ever United Nations (UN) deployment, and the referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court by the UN Security Council, the situation has continued to deteriorate.
The International Refugee Rights Initiative has sought to address this crisis by bringing together the Darfur Consortium, a coalition of more than 50 Africa-based and Africa-focused NGOs dedicated to working together to promote a just, peaceful and sustainable end to the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Darfur.
The Consortium was founded in September 2004 as concerned NGOs gathered on the fringes of the third extraordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Pretoria, South Africa. The Consortium reflects the perspective of African civil society and provides a forum for unified action, particularly through sustained engagement with the institutions of the African Union. In addition to providing support to Sudanese and Darfurian civil society, to date the Darfur Consortium has engaged in activities aimed at raising awareness about the crisis, monitoring the investigation of the International Criminal Court and advocacy on accountability for serious human rights violations, protection of civilians and the peace process.
Recent publications of the International Refugee Rights Initiative related to the North and the Horn of Africa:
"The United Nations Extends UN-AU Force Mandate in Darfur,"Refugee Rights News, Volume 5, Issue 5, November 2009.
"Lubna Hussein’s Trial Highlights Repressive Public Order Law in Sudan," Refugee Rights News, Volume 5, Issue 5, November 2009.
"International Community Moves to Address Worrisome Dynamics in Sudan," Refugee Rights News, Volume 5, Issue 4, June 2009
"Sudanese NGOs Stand Up for Justice Despite Threats and lntimidation Following Bashir Warrant," CICC Monitor, May-October 2009.
"The Reaction to the Arrest Warrant against Sudanese President Al-Bashi," Refugee Rights News, Volume 45 Issue 2, April 2009.
"Rhetoric vs. Reality–the Situation in Darfur," December 2008.
Letter by Dismas Nkunda on the absence of a cooperation agreement between the ICC and the African Union, CICC Monitor, May-October 2008.
"Chadian Judgment against Habré: What Implications for the Search for Justice?" Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 6, October 2008.
"International Justice or Western Conspiracy? The Response to ICC Charges against Bashir in Africa," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 5, July 2008.
"IRRI signs on to report calling on states to provide helicopters to Darfur peacekeepers," July 31, 2008.
"World Pushing Darfur Peacekeeping Operation to Brink of Failure," July 28, 2008.
"Ocampo Throws Down the Gauntlet," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 4, June 2008.
"Somalia: A Humanitarian Crisis Disregarded," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 5, June 2008.
"Kampala Conference on R2P in East and the Horn of Africa," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 3, May 2008.
"Children's Fate Focus of Fifth Global Day for Darfur," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 3, May 2008.
"How Sudan Lost the AU Presidency for the Third Time," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2008.
"Prestigious Sakharov Prize 2007 Awarded to Salih Mahmoud Osman," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2008.
"Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Receives Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Prize," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2008.
"World Leaders Are Urged 'Not To Look Away' at the Fourth Global Day for Darfur," Refugee Rights News, Volume 4, Issue 1, January 2008.