Jean-François Maystadt

(IRES/LIDAM, UCLouvain)

will give a presentation on 

The Political Impact of Refugees in Africa 

Abstract

The political impact of refugees is largely unknown in low-income countries, although these destinations host the majority of forcibly displaced people, and more specifically refugees. We exploit yearly variations in the number of refugees in refugee camps and election data at the sub-national level in 16 African countries between 2000 and 2016. The estimates show that the arrival of refugees increases local support to the national incumbent and reduces political competition, but only when hosting countries implement more inclusive policies towards refugees. We find similar results using complementary Afrobarometer data on individual-level satisfaction with and trust towards the government, as well as attitudes towards migrants. Additional findings show that, with inclusive policies, the inflow of refugees improves satisfaction with respect to the provision of local public goods, as well as boosts economic activity. Inclusive policies are not only beneficial for refugees but also for the hosting population and the country incumbent.

(with Anna Maria Mayda and Cansu Oymak)