AHMR volume 6 number 1 Jan-Apr 2020.indd


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Editorial
___________________________________________________________________________________
Professor Mulugeta F. Dinbabo
Editor-in-Chief, African Human Mobility Review (AHMR) 
University of the Western Cape
Email: editor@sihma.org.za

African Human Mobility Review (AHMR) is one of the few peer-reviewed scholarly 
journals in the field of migration in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of AHMR is to 
publish up-to-date, high-quality and original research papers alongside relevant and 
insightful reviews. As such, the journal aspires to be vibrant, engaging and accessible, 
and at the same time integrative and challenging. At the moment, AHMR publishes 
three issues per year in April, August, and December. The journal also publishes oc-
casional special issues. In the past few years, a number of articles were received by 
the editorial office, of which, after the critical peer review process, selected articles 
were published. Our online publication has increased accessibility of information for 
practitioners, researchers, students, academicians and policy makers. 

AHMR, Vol. 6, No1, 2020, presents a diverse selection of stimulating articles 
from various scholars in the field. The first article looks at the interlinkages between 
migration and inequality in Africa through the review of contemporary studies in 
several parts of the continent. The second article analyzes policies and programs con-
cerning African immigrants and refugees following the 2008 xenophobic crisis up to 
2016. The third article reflects not only on the results of the study itself, but on the 
methodological process issues that can lay a foundation for a better understanding of 
how to study the intersections of migration and local governance. The fourth article 
examines how social media strengthen in-group solidarities with the attendant con-
sequences of loss of lives, properties, and inter-state diplomatic relations in post-co-
lonial Africa. The fifth article identifies the barriers to belonging for young migrants 
in South Africa. The last article analyzes how a migrant association facilitates being, 
belonging and integration of migrants in the host society.

This issue offers a shared vision and understanding of a major predicament 
of policies and programs in the African continent. In this regard, authors provide an 
increasingly critical and compelling evidence-based reflection on emerging trends 
and economic, social, political and cultural issues in Africa. This issue also provides 
valuable information to researchers, policy makers, practitioners and students, shed-
ding light on the complexities of human mobility in Africa. It is a precious collection 
of insightful articles on various aspects and issues of human mobility, dynamics and 
perspectives in the African continent. The opinions expressed in this editorial report 
are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of AHMR.

As always, we would like to thank the outgoing Board of Directors of AHMR, 
Dr Meselu Alamnie Mulugeta, (Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia), Dr Beneberu Assefa 



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AHMR African Human Mobilty Review - Volume 6  No 1, JAN-APR 2020

Wondimagegnhu (Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia), and Dr Sharon Penderis (Univer-
sity of the Western Cape). Their guidance and support make our journal possible, 
and we are deeply indebted to them for the time and effort that they put into our 
journal. It is also with sincere pleasure that I welcome the New Board of Directors of 
AHMR, Prof Vivienne Lawack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the University 
of the Western Cape, South Africa, Prof Jonathan Crush, Balsillie School of Interna-
tional Affairs, Canada, Prof Wilson Majee, University of Missouri, USA, and Dr Eria 
Serwajja, Makerere University, Uganda. 

In 2020, we are proud to be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the University 
of the Western Cape. For the past six decades, the University of the Western Cape 
opened up education for all. During this landmark anniversary, we are also cele-
brating the partnership and joint ownership of the African Human Mobility Review 
(AHMR) with the Scalabrini Institute for Human Mobility in Africa (SIHMA). 

I believe that this issue provides invaluable information to researchers, prac-
titioners and students. It also dishes up thoughtful ideas to policy makers to make 
well-informed decisions about migration policies, programs and projects, by pre-
senting the best available evidence from research in Africa.