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16 J. Refugee Stud. 147 (2003)
The Politics of Refugee Hosting in Tanzania: From Open Door to Unsustainability, Insecurity and Receding Receptivity

handle is hein.journals/jrefst16 and id is 155 raw text is: Journal of Refugee Studies Vol. 16, No. 2 2003 The Politics of Refugee Hosting inTanzania: From Open Door to Unsustainability, Insecurity and Receding Receptivity SREERAM SUNDAR CHAULIA Maxwell School of Citizenship, Syracuse, New York With the aim of understanding continuity and change in Tanzania's refugee hosting policy, the first part of the paper examines the ideological, economic and political underpinnings of German-British attitudes to immigrants. Pointers are provided as to which of these tendencies were transformed and which carried over in the asylum and refugee policy of the postcolonial state. The burden of history on independent Tanzania's outlook towards refugees is highlighted. The second part discusses the impact on asylum seekers of Pan-Africanism, Julius Nyerere's humanist philosophy and the remoulding of Tanzanian state ideology after African socialism, and considers the debate whether refugees are economically exploited in the postcolonial setting. In the third part, Tanzania's abandonment of its Open Door policy in the 1990s is analysed and linked to the economic liberalization measures that have had a negative impact on the ability and willingness of the state to host refugees. Finally, recommendations are made for reversing the alarming trend of Tanzanian 'hosting fatigue' and significant conclusions drawn from the broad historical survey conducted throughout the essay. Introduction Since independence in 1961, Tanzania has played host to populations displaced from nearly one dozen countries,1 earning a reputation in international forums for being a receptive host to fleeing Africans and a regional pioneer in effective refugee settlement. Recognizing its sizeable contribution over the years and praising his country's 'exemplary record', UNHCR awarded Tanzania's Father of the Nation, Julius Nyerere, the Nansen Medal in 1983 and Refugees International showered accolades on Tanzania for 'exceptional hospitality'. For more than three decades, Tanzania was regarded as a beacon of hope and a model host by the humanitarian world and Africa. In contrast to this pedigree is the current-day lament that Tanzania has joined several others in the list of 'fatigued host countries' (Mahiga 1997). As of 31 December 2000, the United Republic of Tanzania hosted more refugees than any other country on the African continent, a total of 543,000, one-sixth of all African refugees and © Oxford University Press 2003

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