ABSTRACT
More than half a decade has passed since the African region firmly positioned itself as a pioneer in the protection of IDPs by adopting the first ever binding regional treaty on internal displacement. As of January 2016, 25 states have ratified the instrument while 40 states have become signatories.1
Manifesting the mismatch between good intentions by governments on the one hand and the situation of IDPs on the other, African countries witnessed a significant surge in the number of those uprooted from their homes and livelihoods, mainly as a result of armed conflicts and violence. As of the end of 2015, there were 40.8 million IDPs worldwide, out of which 11.9 million are in Sub-Sahara Africa. This gives the continent the unenviable position of being a host to the largest number of IDPs.2 Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan host some of the largest numbers of IDPs in Africa. Achieving durable solutions for many displacement situations in several countries remains elusive due to the absence of stability, social services, compensation schemes, livelihood opportunities and resources.
