Forced migration in Africa: a challenge to development

This article discusses the negative effects of forced population displacement on democratization and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The history of SubSaharan Africa is marked by forced displacements of people both within and outside the boundaries of their respective countries. The manifestation, the causes and the consequences of forced displacements in Africa are differently experienced in space and time across the continent. These forced movements of populations have been accompanied by untold sufferings and violations of human rights. Moreover, forced displacement in Africa has a direct impact on the development of the continent. In fact, people’s flight has negatively affected the socio-cultural cohesion as well as economic and political systems of a large number of African societies. This article traces the historical events that prompted massive displacement of populations and analyses the impact of the phenomenon of forced migration on sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa.