Migration, Mobility and the African Concept of Japa for New Citizenship

Recent studies on African study have shown that between 5000-10000 African nationals are often on the move for new life every day. These studies show that out of 100 persons enroute to foreign countries, at least 10 are illegal migrants. Proponents of this assertion maintained that environmental conditions such as bad leadership together with administrative incompetence, insecurity, bad governance and the inability to industrialize the continent has opened up the increasing chances of Africans social mobility. This is inimical to African international image as majority of these migrants arrange false marriages which qualify them to attain citizenship status of the country. Others maintain that a steady triangular movements from Libya-Morocco-Spain have encouraged majority of these illegal migrants. Thus, producing a new concept within the global migration studies called “japa”.
This panel will provide an opportunity for a theoretical understanding that will chronicle the concept of “Japa” in political science vocabulary and serves as Africa’s contribution in developing the scope of migration studies in global politics. Therefore paper presenters are encouraged to submit papers on the following but not limited to: theoretical discussions surrounding African migration studies, citizenship, legality and policy frameworks.