Addis Ababa as a City (e)scape of Refugee Resilience: A Trialectical Perspective

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.41410

Keywords:

Addis Ababa, Edward Soja, psychological well-being, resources, sefers, thirding as othering, urban refugee resilience

Abstract

Using Edward Soja’s thirdspace theory, this paper spotlights Addis Ababa as a city of refugee resilience. Beyond the real and imagined representations of resilience, the thirdspace illuminates the multiplicity of refugee resilience in the forms of hope, transience, religiosity, retrospection, flexibility, cultural adaptation, frugality, cultural resources, diaspora ties, co-ethnic support, and transnational and local ties. However, refugee resilience is severely constrained by legal restrictions, policy–practice gaps, resource shortages, language barriers, internal conflict, fear of being targeted, misconceptions about refugees, and some refugees’ strong fervour to emigrate to the West. The study emphasizes the importance of the thirdspace for understanding the incompatibilities of refugee resilience and for improving their well-being and support.

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Author Biographies

Aman Mohamedsaid Adem, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Aman Mohammedsaid Adem is a PhD candidate at the Centre for African and Asian Studies, College of Social Sciences, Addis Ababa University. He can be reached at aman.mohammedsaid@aau.edu.et.

Getahun Fenta Kebede, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Getahun Fenta Kebede is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for African and Asian Studies, College of Social Sciences, Addis Ababa University. He can be reached at getahun.fenta@aau.edu.et.

Teferee Makonnen Kassa, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Teferee Makonnen Kassa is an Associate Professor at the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences, Addis Ababa University. He can be reached at teferi.makonnen@aau.edu.et.

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Published

2025-03-10

How to Cite

Adem, A. M., Kebede, G. F., & Kassa, T. M. (2025). Addis Ababa as a City (e)scape of Refugee Resilience: A Trialectical Perspective. Refuge: Canada’s Journal on Refugees, 40(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.25071/1920-7336.41410

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