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Mobility in the African Great Lakes

Capturing everyday mobility drivers to better understand the complexity of human mobility dynamics in the Great Lakes region.

Our Team.

MAGL Working Papers.

No. 71 | 2013

Moving Beyond Conflict: Re-framing mobility in the African Great Lakes region

Oliver Bakewell , Ayla Bonfiglio

African migration, African Great Lakes, Democratic Republic of Congo, Norms, Aspirations, Capabilities, Mobility, Forced Migration, Conflict, Crisis, Migration theory, Lifecourse

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More Information.

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Duration: 2012-2014

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Objectives

  • To identify migration patterns in the region and understand the extent to which they might be impacted by conflict; the extent to which they impact migration decision-making during displacement; and the extent to which pre-existing migration patterns are re-established as conflict subsides.
     

  • To document and analyse mobility associated with broader social processes: including seasonal and rural–urban migration; migration for education, marriage, or employment; and trade related mobility.
     

  • To develop a methodology and conceptual framework to analyse mobility patterns throughout the region – and potentially in other conflict settings.

 

This focus on everyday patterns of movement in this region contributes greatly to our understanding of how social, cultural and urbanisation dynamics intersect with individual agency and material constraints, which regulate access to mobility for aspirant migrants in today’s globalised world.

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Research Design

Empirical research was undertaken in Bukavu or Lubumbashi (DR Congo), Kampala (Uganda), Eldoret (Kenya).

 

Phase 1: Literature review and preparation for field research

Critically review the existing literature on underlying migration patterns in the context of conflict from across the world; refine the theoretical framework to operationalise the study of mobility in conflict and crisis.

 

Phase 2: Collection and analysis of existing data sets

Collect and analyse existing data on contextual factors that shape migration dynamics, including data on regional migration stocks and flows within countries in the Great Lakes region and East Africa, outbreaks and degrees of conflicts and crises, labour markets, formal and non-formal education systems, and rates of urbanisation.

 

Phase 3: Primary data collection – surveys, interviews, and life histories

Conduct initial survey of migrants to establish a broad picture of migration processes at work; in-depth qualitative interviews and life histories to develop a more detailed picture of complex migration dynamics and rationales; semi-structured interviews with stakeholders that work with migrants and refugees.

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Phase 4: Data analysis and dissemination

Analyse data sets to unearth personal and collective understandings and practices of mobility patterns in the wider Great Lakes region; organise a regional workshop to share and gain feedback on the preliminary analyses with stakeholders and will disseminate its findings.

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Funding

This project is supported by the MacArthur Foundation Global Migration and Human Mobility programme.

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Partners

EUMAGINE involves more than thirty researchers from a consortium of eight institutions and lead by the University of Antwerp.

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© 2026 International Migration Institute

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