The east African country of Tanzania, once praised for its “Open Door Policy” and its committed
support for refugees fleeing turmoil in their respective home countries, has shifted dramatically
within the last two decades. This paper will investigate the changed policy of the Tanzanian
government towards continuous refugee influx after its independence in 1964. It is apparent that
perceptions of refugees have also shifted in local, regional and international arenas and due to the
confines of this paper, developments on these fronts will only be mentioned peripherally.
The refugee situation in the Great Lake Region of Tanzania is of exceptional importance for a
selected number of reasons:
1) Tanzania has been host to the highest number of refugees on the African continent therefore
putting a uncontested burden on the nation
2) The country acts as case for an increasing awareness of sovereignty, especially in terms of
national security in post colonial Africa
3) The historical implications of ethnic separation questions the notion of territoriality in a
region still struggling to create stability
4) Government leadership and ideology influence the perception of refugees and therefore the
formulation of policy
This paper will investigate the above, firstly outlining the refugee arrivals in western Tanzania since
independence; secondly investigating the perception of refugees under the presidency of the Pan
Africanist, Julius Nyerere until 1985; thirdly it will account for refugee policy adjustments
implemented by the government post Nyerereism; and lastly by concluding the above notions
utilising the findings of the preceding paragraphs. Tanzania has been a safe haven for refugees from its western neighbours, namely Burundi, Congo
(former Zaire), Uganda and Rwanda for several decades and the country has continuously hosted
refugees from these countries. Estimates on the number of refugees vary greatly, and no exact
number can be drawn from existing figures post Tanzanian independence, but it is reasonable to
assume refugee volumes of several hundred thousand up to a million from 1959 until 1993. Refugees arriving in the biggest wave between 1993 and 1998 from Rwanda, Burundi and the
Democratic Republic of Congo are thought to have reached close to 1.3 million people.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Refugee arrivals in western Tanzania since independence
3. Refugee perception under the presidency of Julius Nyerere
4. Refugee policy adjustments post Nyerereism
5. Conclusion
Objectives & Themes
This paper examines the evolution of Tanzanian refugee policy, analyzing the shift from an "Open Door Policy" under Julius Nyerere to more restrictive measures following his departure in 1985, against the backdrop of changing regional security dynamics and economic priorities.
- The transition from integration-oriented policies to forced repatriation.
- The influence of national sovereignty and security concerns on refugee perception.
- Impact of the ujamaa socialist model on historical refugee hosting.
- Legal and policy implications of the Refugee Act of 1998.
- Economic and social consequences of hosting large refugee populations.
Excerpt from the Book
Keeping the door ajar
The east African country of Tanzania, once praised for its “Open Door Policy” and its committed support for refugees fleeing turmoil in their respective home countries, has shifted dramatically within the last two decades. This paper will investigate the changed policy of the Tanzanian government towards continuous refugee influx after its independence in 1964. It is apparent that perceptions of refugees have also shifted in local, regional and international arenas and due to the confines of this paper, developments on these fronts will only be mentioned peripherally.
The refugee situation in the Great Lake Region of Tanzania is of exceptional importance for a selected number of reasons:
1) Tanzania has been host to the highest number of refugees on the African continent therefore putting a uncontested burden on the nation
2) The country acts as case for an increasing awareness of sovereignty, especially in terms of national security in post colonial Africa
3) The historical implications of ethnic separation questions the notion of territoriality in a region still struggling to create stability
4) Government leadership and ideology influence the perception of refugees and therefore the formulation of policy
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the research context, outlining the historical shift in Tanzania's refugee policy from an "Open Door" approach to more restrictive measures.
2. Refugee arrivals in western Tanzania since independence: This section details the historical inflow of refugees from neighboring countries and the massive surges in numbers observed between 1993 and 1998.
3. Refugee perception under the presidency of Julius Nyerere: This chapter analyzes Nyerere’s humanitarian approach, influenced by ujamaa ideology, which viewed refugees as "resident guests" and promoted their integration.
4. Refugee policy adjustments post Nyerereism: This section examines the post-1985 shift toward market liberalization and the legal framework of the Refugee Act of 1998, which prioritized repatriation over integration.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, arguing that while neither past nor current policies provided sustainable solutions, elements of Nyerere’s inclusive ideology remain relevant for modern discourse.
Keywords
Tanzania, Refugees, Julius Nyerere, Open Door Policy, Ujamaa, Refugee Act 1998, Repatriation, Integration, Sovereignty, Great Lake Region, Humanitarianism, Refugee Perception, National Security, Forced Migration, Policy Shift
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this paper?
The paper examines how the Tanzanian government's perception and policy regarding refugees transformed significantly after the end of Julius Nyerere’s presidency in 1985.
What were the primary themes analyzed in the study?
The study focuses on the transition from an integrationist "Open Door Policy" to a restrictive stance, covering aspects of national sovereignty, economic impacts, regional instability, and shifting political ideologies.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to investigate the factors driving the shift in Tanzanian refugee policy since its independence in 1964 and to account for the specific policy adjustments implemented after the Nyerere era.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The author employs a historical-political analysis, tracing the evolution of governmental practices and legislative frameworks regarding refugees over several decades.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body details the historical refugee arrivals, the humanitarian philosophy under Nyerere, the economic and structural pressures leading to policy changes, and the legal implications of the 1998 Refugee Act.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
Key terms include Tanzania, Open Door Policy, Ujamaa, Refugee Act of 1998, repatriation, and national sovereignty.
How did the ujamaa model influence refugee hosting?
The ujamaa model promoted communal living and collective farming, allowing refugees to be treated as "resident guests" who could contribute to and participate in the local economy.
What prompted the transition toward aggressive repatriation in the late 1990s?
The shift was driven by economic pressures, the burden on social infrastructure, security concerns linked to regional instability, and a move toward market-oriented government policies.
How does the Refugee Act of 1998 define the current policy stance?
The Act centralizes state control, grants authorities expansive discretionary powers, and shifts the focus explicitly away from integration toward repatriation and resettlement.
- Quote paper
- Jan Lüdert (Author), 2006, Shutting an open door: Tanzanian refugee situation since 1985, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/90024
