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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

This issue consists of five articles. The first article by Mulatu Zerihun, entitled 
“Remittances and Economic Growth: Evidence from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda”, 
analyzes the possible effect of international remittances on the economic growth in 
three selected countries within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development 
(IGAD). The result demonstrates that remittances in the countries included in this 
study serve as a ‘big-push’ towards economic development and have an impact on 
growth. The findings also suggest the development of close cooperation with host 
countries to leverage mutual benefit, as well as the establishment of successful 
collaboration with migrants and diasporas. Finally, the research proposes future 
studies on the impact of remittances on economic growth.

The second article by Adebayo Makanju and Hafiz Khan is entitled 
“Determinants of Healthy Aging in Internally Displaced Communities in Nigeria”. 
Different statistical techniques were used in the analysis, including cross-tabulation 
and binary logistic regression. The findings of the research indicate a high mean 
prevalence of old-age disability within the study area, irrespective of migration status 
in North-eastern Nigeria. The research also establishes robust predictors of later-life 
health outcomes as socio-economic and environmental determinants. Regression 
analysis has also shown that a variety of factors have a negative influence on the well-
being of older adults. Based on the findings of the research, the authors recommend 
that the proposed Sahelian ‘Green Belt’ afforestation project of the Economic 
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) targeting, in particular areas around 
the Chad basin, be fully implemented. The authors also emphasize the urgent need 
to formulate a systematic and evidence-driven integration between migration and 
geriatrics.

The third article by Edmond Akwasi Agyeman is entitled “Between the 
Imagined and the Reality: Threat of African Invasion and Spain’s Migration Policy in 
Sub-Saharan Africa”. The study examines Spain’s migration policy aimed at controlling 
Sub-Saharan African immigration. A review of policy papers, migration statistics and 
secondary literature was used methodologically in the research. The study indicates 
that current migration trends and statistics do not support the perception that Spain 
is being invaded by Sub-Saharan African migrants. The study also shows that the 
restrictive policies of Spain neglect the long-standing interdependent trade and other 
economic networks existing between Spain, North Africa and West Africa prior to 
the European colonization of Africa.

The fourth article presented by Hemish Govera and Amiena Bayat is entitled 



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AHMR African Human Mobilty Review - Volume 6  No 3, Sep-Dec 2020

“Differences in Mental Health among Migrants and Non-migrants in South Africa: 
Evidence from the National Income Dynamics Study”. The goal of this research was 
to determine whether the prevalence of depressive symptoms is higher in South 
Africa among migrants than among non-migrants. The study also investigates the 
association of migration status with a wide set of sociodemographic variables in the 
same context. The study applied descriptive analysis and logistic modelling to the 
South African National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) panel datasets. The study 
found a significant association between low sociodemographic status and the risk 
of poor mental health. The report concludes that compared to the Western Cape, 
residing in the rest of the South African provinces was associated with a lower risk of 
poor mental health after controlling for migration status. 

The final article, presented by Victor Mlambo, is entitled “Externalization and 
Securitization as Policy Responses to African Migration to the European Union”. 
The study explores the externalization and securitization of African migration to the 
European Union (EU) and the consequences this has for migration governance and 
management for both the EU and Africa. Methodologically, a qualitative research 
approach was applied. The study concludes that EU-Africa migration management 
needs to be focused on policies that address the main ‘push’ factors driving irregular 
migration from Africa. 

I believe these articles offer invaluable insights to scholars, practitioners and 
students with the skills necessary to provide solutions to many of the major migration 
challenges faced by society. They also provide informative advice for policy-makers 
to think critically about migration policies, programs and projects by presenting the 
continent with reliable empirical research evidence.