National security frameworks for refugees: somalian refugees in south Africa

Abstract

The aim of this research was to understand the shift in the nature of security over the past few decades, with specific emphasis on the role played by refugees regarding security-related matters in a host country. There is a constant debate on what exactly security entails, and national security and scholars from different fields have argued the relevance of the different international relations theories. Evidence suggests that while some states ascribe to the liberal school of thought in their interactions with states and their subjects, most states have a realist narrative undertone, which is a perception of which international organisations such as the UN and the AU tend to be wary. Through policies derived from international organisations, states have formulated their domestic policies to address issues related to security, in particular the management of refugees in host countries. In the case of South Africa, there is a clear demonstration that the country holds the values of both the UN and AU in high regard. However, due to short-sighted projections, it is clear that government faces challenges with regard to the management of refugees. While great strides have been made in formulating a national security policy that is inclusive of human security, South Africa continues to face a high influx of refugees. Due to the absence of effective programmes for the screening of new arrivals in the country, it can be safely assumed that large numbers of these refugees are not victims of circumstances. The threats that refugees can pose to a host country vary from soft (non-military) to hard (military-related) targets. There are, however, no indications that Somalian refugees pose a direct danger to the national security of South Africa. While South Africa has the responsibility to protect its borders and its people, it also has a responsibility to protect those who are believed to be vulnerable and in need of special care. In the case of Somalian refugees, human rights protection should continue to take centre stage. A national security framework that emphasises territorial integrity and the importance of human security should be frequently formulated to address the ever-changing socio-economic dimensions.