The Legal Landscape of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Ethiopia's East: An Ethnographic Perspective

In Ethiopia's East, a significant number of refugees and asylum seekers are present, primarily from Somalia, Eritrea, and South Sudan. The region faces complex legal challenges in managing these populations. The research employs participant observation, interviews, and document reviews to gather data from key stakeholders including government officials, NGOs, and affected individuals. Data analysis follows thematic coding methods. Findings indicate that while the Ethiopian legal framework provides a structure for refugees' rights, its implementation varies significantly across regions, leading to inconsistencies in service delivery and support provision among different communities of asylum seekers. The ethnographic study reveals disparities between law and practice, underscoring the need for localized adaptation strategies and improved coordination among regional authorities to enhance protection efforts for refugee populations. Recommendations include advocating for more equitable funding distribution across regions within Ethiopia's East to ensure uniform service delivery. Additionally, there is a call for enhanced collaboration between governmental bodies and civil society organizations to improve support mechanisms.