News Highlights: USAID halts food aid to Ethiopia, EU ministers agree on stricter asylum procedures, Fighting intensifies in Sudan

In this week’s News Highlights: Indirect ceasefire talks resume in Sudan, but fighting intensifies; Widespread killings in el-Geneina and other parts of Darfur; Infrastructure under attack in Sudan; Humanitarian situation in Sudan; Violence against civilians and journalists in Sudan; Refugees and displacement reach a new highpoint in Sudan conflict; UN Envoy declared Persona Non Grata by al-Burhan; USAID suspends food aid to all of Ethiopia amidst diversion investigation; Eritrean and Ethiopian refugees arrested and killed amidst conflict and insecurity; HOPR letter argues Tigray should not receive tax revenue from wartime; Troops continue to occupy Tigray, AU-MVCM not acting, critics say; Tigray war the deadliest in 2022, suffering continues; Malnutrition in under 5 Tigrayan children; FANO militia killed and arrested in Amhara; Oromia talks will not resume soon; Budget approved by Ethiopian Council of Ministers; HRW writes letter to Ethiopian minister of justice; EHRC reports increasing cases of forced disappearances in Ethiopia; Interview with President Isaias on bilateral relations with Russia; Egyptian migrants and refugees deported by Libyan authorities; Tunisia and Italy hold talks about migration; Nine bodies recovered and 29 people rescued by Tunisian coast guard; EU Home Affairs ministers reach agreement on stricter asylum rules; Refugees and migrants will be housed in barges in the UK; German rescue vessels detained under Italian rules on rescue operations; Italy lied and Frontex helped in the cover up, investigation says; 1500 migrants and refugees rescued in two days off Italian coast; Greek authorities rescue 91 migrants and refugees; Head of IOM talks with Microsoft for migration management; 10 arrested for people smuggling in North Macedonia; The right opposes the French migration agreement with Algeria; Media campaign to ‘deter migration’ in Cyprus.

The year of 2019: border control, evacuations from Libya and the search for solidarity

In this last article of the year, it is time to look back at some of the events of the past year in the context of forced movement along the Central Mediterranean Route. In 2019, approximately 1,246 people died in the Mediterranean Sea, and even more on land, during their journey to safety. It was a year in which the European Union secured and externalised its borders, making it harder for asylum seekers to enter Europe. It was also another year in which migrants and refugees in Libya were facing inhumane conditions that continue to be unaddressed. Responsibility sharing was a main topic of discussion among EU member states. In addition, a new relocation system was put in place, Salvini made his exit as Italian deputy Prime Minister, and the criminalization of rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea did not stop NGOs from saving lives.

News Highlights: Eritrea round-ups of youth increase, reports of Sudan troops in Libya, deadly shipwreck at Libyan coast

In this week’s news highlights: Round-ups (Giffas) of youth for national service in Eritrea; Eritrean catholic church disputes government claims over health clinic seizure; Concerns over stalled Eritrea/Ethiopia trade; School students killed in Sudan protest; 115 people feared dead in Libyan shipwreck, survivors returned to Libya; Sudanese militia reportedly deployed in Libya; Refugees remain in detention after protest Egypt; UK detained victims of trafficking; 5 EU countries agree to resettle 116 stranded refugees and migrants; and law professor argues why ICC should move to prosecute the EU.