Impact of Immigrant Influx on National Identity and Ethnic Tension in Africa

• In Event: Electoral Violence and Conflict in Africa

Abstract

How does the influx of immigrants affect the relative strength of national identity vis-à-vis ethnic identity, politics as well as existing tension among ethnic groups? Across Africa, the strength of national and ethnic identity varies. Comparative migration literature focuses on natives’ attitudes toward immigrants, overlooking how immigrants might impact local ethnic dynamics in hosting countries. I argue that the increase of immigrants shapes the relative strength of national and ethnic identities by increasing the salience of group boundary between nationals and foreigners, thus strengthening national identity. I hypothesize that as the number of immigrants increases, citizens will (1) identify more with nation state vis à vis ethnic groups, (2) increase trust to fellow citizens as well as other ethnic groups, (3) become more willing to get along with non-coethnic conationals, and (4) perceive ethnic conflict as less urgent problem. I employ regional survey data from the Afrobarometer alongside immigration data of Kenya, one of Africa’s most ethnically divided countries and one that has experienced recent immigration from neighboring countries. This study connects literatures on ethnic politics and immigration in Africa by introducing immigrants as a factor that can affect ethnic identity and broader ethnic dynamics between different ethnic groups.

Author

• Minji Jeong, University of Washington