The Challenges Facing the Management of Immigration in Tanzania and Zambia: A case of Tunduma and Nakonde

Abstract

Immigration is a global development issue impacting on the development trajectories of all countries. Tanzania, for instance, has seen large numbers of illegal immigrants from Burundi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Somalia who flee their countries because of political unrest and economic difficulties. Consequently, illegal immigration has been increasing from time to time in Tanzania. This study examined the challenges facing the management of immigration in Tanzania. Specifically, the paper used both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore the existence and flow of illegal immigrants, causes and the challenges facing the management of illegal immigration in Tanzania and Zambia. The study found the existence of illegal immigration between Zambia and Tanzania. The patterns of flow of illegal immigrants are mainly of Zambia to Tanzania. Such pattern is caused by sharing common and related languages, colonial legacies and trade. The challenges to controlling of illegal immigration include inadequate immigration personnel and immigration control equipment, poor cooperation between coercive apparatus and the civilians and the influx of large population of immigrants. The study concludes that addressing illegal immigration requires collaboration and cooperation between Tanzania and Zambia coercive apparatus and integrating the citizens who are living along the borders.