Diaspora and peace : a comparative assessment of Somali and Ethiopian communities in Europe

2010

The Horn of Africa is affected by numerous longstanding and protracted conflicts with serious humanitarian, socio-economic and political consequences for the entire region and beyond. In the conflict and peace processes, not only are the states concerned, non-state actors, foreign powers and international actors involved, but increasingly diaspora communities who have emerged as actors actively engaging in the respective countries of origin and neighbouring countries. Conflict is often considered a primary cause of migration but in turn can also fuel violent conflicts. The involvement of individual diaspora members and organisations in conflict resolution is manifold and ranges from financi…