Somalia exists in a de jure capacity; which is generally characterized by eras of relative stability under ineffectual governments, that alternate in succession with periods of extreme civil pandemonium. The inherent geo-political instability of Somalia has had a continuous depreciating-effect on the infrastructure and social institutions of the nation. Thus, this has forced a great proportion of Somalia's populace to migrate to other countries in search of more fecund pastures (a better life).
Hence, Somalia has a large and growing diaspora community, which mainly inhabits Yemen, northeastern Kenya, and Djibouti. Recently, there has been a steady and constant stream of Somalians to Southern African countries, and a growing proportion of Somalian migrants has made the choice to drop anchor in Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, the Somalian cohort that has recently settled in Zimbabwe is demographically homogeneous and bears the following characteristics; male and ranges between 16 to 35 yrs of age. Furthermore, the group that has settled in Zimbabwe is highly ethnocentric, and has failed to assimilate into the broader Zimbabwean society.
Currently, it is widely understood that Zimbabwe has an unemployment rate that is hovering around 85%, and thus, Zimbabwe offers the new community of migrants few employment prospects. The social welfare system in Zimbabwe is also currently in a moribund state, thus, the Somalian refugees cannot depend on it for sustenance. Therefore, the Somalian refugees usually live in squalid conditions in Zimbabwe, and go around in large groups, begging for alms from ordinary Zimbabweans: they survive by mendicancy. Evidently, the welfare of Somalian refugees in Zimbabwe is poignant.
Usually, the standard pitch for soliciting assistance is phrased as follows: "Hungry, Hungry... Stomach empty". Hence, when Zimbabweans refer to Somalian refugees, they opprobriously term them "Hungry, Hungry".
On a typical week-day, Somalian refugees go from door-to-door (in the neighborhoods close to their camps) with water bottles, begging for victuals; - which they are begrudgingly given by their Zimbabwean hosts. To state it unequivocally: Zimbabweans generally view Somalian refugees as pests, and this negative attitude has strong chances of begetting a xenophobic episode, like the one we witnessed in South Africa last year, that may materialize in the form of mob-organized pogroms (of Somalian refugees).
In a country with an escalating crime rate (Zimbabwe), a haggard-looking cohort of young men, that aimlessly loiters around, is the prime suspect when any incident of crime manifests itself. Hence, Somalians who generally travel in tight-knit groups that are largely comprised of males, are usually suspected to be the perpetrators of most incidents of vice. For instance, I was recently informed of a horrendous incident in which a six year old girl was gang-raped by a group of young men over a six hour period. The prime suspects in the incident were individuals from a group of Somalian young men, who happened to be loitering in the area. Why? Only because the girl was gang-raped and the Somalians were in a 'gang'.
Hence, the general prevalent attitude among Zimbabweans who live in proximity to refugee camps is that: 'Somalians should go back to where they came from'. This is, in essence, a xenophobic attitude, that fuels gruesome incidents like those we witnessed in South Africa last year. Therefore, it is of paramount importance for Zimbabwean authorities to dispel this attitude before it burgeons an admixture of circumstances that would fuel xenophobic violence against Somalian refugees.
Xenophobic violence would shatter Zimbabwe's public image, which would in turn, have an adverse impact on efforts to attract investment into the beleaguered nation. Hence, evidently, the negative perception of Somalians has to be managed sooner rather than later.
Hence, Somalia has a large and growing diaspora community, which mainly inhabits Yemen, northeastern Kenya, and Djibouti. Recently, there has been a steady and constant stream of Somalians to Southern African countries, and a growing proportion of Somalian migrants has made the choice to drop anchor in Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, the Somalian cohort that has recently settled in Zimbabwe is demographically homogeneous and bears the following characteristics; male and ranges between 16 to 35 yrs of age. Furthermore, the group that has settled in Zimbabwe is highly ethnocentric, and has failed to assimilate into the broader Zimbabwean society.
Currently, it is widely understood that Zimbabwe has an unemployment rate that is hovering around 85%, and thus, Zimbabwe offers the new community of migrants few employment prospects. The social welfare system in Zimbabwe is also currently in a moribund state, thus, the Somalian refugees cannot depend on it for sustenance. Therefore, the Somalian refugees usually live in squalid conditions in Zimbabwe, and go around in large groups, begging for alms from ordinary Zimbabweans: they survive by mendicancy. Evidently, the welfare of Somalian refugees in Zimbabwe is poignant.
Usually, the standard pitch for soliciting assistance is phrased as follows: "Hungry, Hungry... Stomach empty". Hence, when Zimbabweans refer to Somalian refugees, they opprobriously term them "Hungry, Hungry".
On a typical week-day, Somalian refugees go from door-to-door (in the neighborhoods close to their camps) with water bottles, begging for victuals; - which they are begrudgingly given by their Zimbabwean hosts. To state it unequivocally: Zimbabweans generally view Somalian refugees as pests, and this negative attitude has strong chances of begetting a xenophobic episode, like the one we witnessed in South Africa last year, that may materialize in the form of mob-organized pogroms (of Somalian refugees).
In a country with an escalating crime rate (Zimbabwe), a haggard-looking cohort of young men, that aimlessly loiters around, is the prime suspect when any incident of crime manifests itself. Hence, Somalians who generally travel in tight-knit groups that are largely comprised of males, are usually suspected to be the perpetrators of most incidents of vice. For instance, I was recently informed of a horrendous incident in which a six year old girl was gang-raped by a group of young men over a six hour period. The prime suspects in the incident were individuals from a group of Somalian young men, who happened to be loitering in the area. Why? Only because the girl was gang-raped and the Somalians were in a 'gang'.
Hence, the general prevalent attitude among Zimbabweans who live in proximity to refugee camps is that: 'Somalians should go back to where they came from'. This is, in essence, a xenophobic attitude, that fuels gruesome incidents like those we witnessed in South Africa last year. Therefore, it is of paramount importance for Zimbabwean authorities to dispel this attitude before it burgeons an admixture of circumstances that would fuel xenophobic violence against Somalian refugees.
Xenophobic violence would shatter Zimbabwe's public image, which would in turn, have an adverse impact on efforts to attract investment into the beleaguered nation. Hence, evidently, the negative perception of Somalians has to be managed sooner rather than later.
