Much Ado About Very Little? Migration-Linked Development Assistance — the Cases of Poland and Norway

In response to the migration management crisis that peaked in Europe in 2015-2016, the EU institutions and some European states promised to address the “root causes of migration”, with development assistance seen as an important tool in that respect. By comparing the development cooperation policies...

Governance, fragility and insurgency in the Sahel: a hybrid order in the making

Once a region that rarely featured in debates about global security, the Sahel has become increasingly topical as it confronts the international community with intertwined challenges related to climate variability, poverty, food insecurity, population displacement, transnational crime, contested statehood...

Explaining violence in Tillaberi: insurgetn appropiration of local Grievances

The Tillabéri region in Niger has quickly lapsed into a state of violence and come under the control of ‘violent entrepreneurs’ – that is, non-state armed actors possessing some kind of political agenda, which is implemented in tandem with different types of income-generating activities. Violent...

Fixers and friends: local and international researchers

While we live in a highly unequal world where your position and place will determine what you have access to. However, based on years of fieldwork in the Sahel, this chapter turns this question around, exploring if it is possible to make inequaity work for mutual benefit. The answer is a modestly yes,...

A Comprehensive Strategy EU Strategy for Africa Political Dialogue: Governance, Security and Migration

Much has changed since the creation of the Joint Africa-European Union (EU) Strategy in 2007. The developing world has been changing fast. Development policy and practices are also transforming, albeit at a slower pace. The divide between emerging economies and ‘fragile states’ is increasing. This is...

Doing fieldwork in areas of Interntional intervention: a guide to research in violent and closed contexts

Using detailed insights from those with first-hand experience of conducting research in areas of international intervention and conflict, this antology provides essensial practical guidance for researchers and students embarking on fieldwork in violent, repressive and closed contexts. Coverning issues...

EU migration management in the Sahel: unintended consequneces on the ground in Niger?

The policies implemented in the Sahel by the EU and individual member states have reduced the number of migrants transiting through the region towards Europe. However, the sustainability of this approach should be questioned as it may also increase domestic tensions in politically fragile and administratively...

The External Dimension of EU Migration Management: The Role of Aid

Aid is seen as a key EU instrument in addressing the root causes of migration, but it has not been decisive for the drastic reduction of irregular arrivals in Europe in recent years. Nevertheless, development assistance has become crucial leverage for the EU in persuading major transit countries to improve...

Lessons from the Ebola Crisis in West Africa: Community engagement, crisis communication and countering rumours

What lessons can we draw from the 2014-2016 Ebola crisis in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone? While both the outbreak itself and the context is different, there are enough similarities between the Ebola crisis and COVID-19 to extract useful lessons and best practices. In this research note, the focus...

Can Aid Solve the Root Causes of Migration? A Framework for Future Research on the Development-Migration Nexus

An important dimension of the European Union’s response to the 2015 refugee and migration management crisis has been to address the root causes of irregular migration. A major tool the EU has to mitigate push factors of migration is development assistance. Yet, the literature shows that the casual relationship...