Hundreds of thousands of Africans are refugees, fleeing wars or political persecution in their home countries. Mrs Sadako Ogata, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), highlights their plight and daily hardships. Across the continent the protection of refugees presents major challenges to states and other actors. In addition to the imperative of addressing the conflicts that give rise to refugees in the first instance, there is also an urgent need to manage the many problems associated with asylum. This issue of Track Two considers the latter need, focusing on the problems and conflicts associated with refugee communities.

As George Okoth-Obbo puts it, the system of international protection of refugees applies where "those who are unable to benefit from the national protection of their countries of origin come to obtain substitute protection of another state and the international community acting in concert together. In this context the system guarantees refugees access to safety, security and the ability to recreate normalcy and fulsomeness of human life to the greatest possible degree". Okoth-Obbo notes with anguish, however, that many African states no longer honour this obligation adequately.

International responsibility for addressing the conflicts that give rise to refugees lies with political actors such as the United Nations Security Council and the Organisation of African Unity. In contrast, Laurie Nathan argues, UNHCR has a responsibility in terms of its mandate to address many of the conflicts that emerge in relation to refugees: within refugee communities; between refugees and the government of their country of refuge; and between that government and the government of the refugees' country of origin. Nathan concludes that UNHCR staff should be equipped with mediation and other conflict resolution skills.

This issue of Track Two discusses such conflicts in Africa. For example, Jean-Francois Durieux highlights the dangers associated with the militarisation of refugee camps in Tanzania. Nevertheless, Michael Barutscki's article on "Refugee Camps and Repatriation in Europe" indicates that these problems are a global phenomenon. Closer to home, Vincent Williams looks at the progressive new legislation in South Africa for asylum seekers and refugees, but also notes the harsh reality of xenophobia which most African refugees experience in South Africa. This theme is continued by Pravashini Naicker and Roshila Nair who consider the kinds of conflicts experienced by refugees in the Western Cape and their use of conflict resolution skills. Nahla Valji discusses the gendered nature of persecution of refugee women and argues for gender sensitive attitudes and training for those dealing with asylum seekers. Lee Anne de la Hunt and Helen Moffett provide a useful set of practical directives for South African Immigration officials in this regard.

The co-publication of this issue of Track Two by UNHCR and the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR) is an initial partnership focusing on the conflicts experienced by refugees. A key premise of the partnership is that UNHCR and other actors responsible for refugee protection should acquire greater expertise in the prevention, management and resolution of conflict. Such expertise could strengthen considerably the international system of protection.

We look forward to on-going collaboration.

Laurie Nathan Executive Director Centre for Conflict Resolution Cape Town

Ilunga Ngandu Regional Director UNHCR Regional Directorate for Southern Africa Pretoria

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