The EU and its “no more roads approach” in Eritrea

On June 15, the European Parliament Committee on Development (DEVE) held a hearing in the European Parliament (EP) on the European Union’s development cooperation with Eritrea and in particular the road rehabilitation project that is carried out with the help of national service labour, which is widely defined as forced labour. The hearing included a change of views between the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO), the Europe External Action Service (EEAS) and members of the committee on progress and the possibilities on getting results on the very difficult situation in Eritrea. The ‘no more roads’ decision can be seen as the most important outcome.

News Highlights: Eritrea to chair Khartoum Process, EU human rights sanctions supported by Member States, Ethiopian electoral reform

In this week’s news highlights: Concern over Eritrea chairing the Khartoum Process; The fragility of the Eritrean identity as result of separation; Eritreans fleeing to Sudan; Ethiopian PM wants electoral system improvements; U.S. military kills three Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia; Sudan appears willing to continue peace talks; Africa should work on itself, rather than how Europe sees it, Estefanos says; Dutch proposal for EU human rights sanctions regime gains support; FRA report shows European racism towards skin color strong; UK National Health System hostilities towards asylum seekers; and EU aims at resuming political efforts in Yemen.

News Highlights: More money for Turkey deal, Eritrea in Human Rights Council, Video of Hajji Musa’s funeral

In this week’s news highlights: The UN Human Rights Council discussed Eritrea; video emerges of respected Eritrean elder’s funeral; letter of an Eritrean citizen to his President; South Sudan runs out of money; EU announces stricter migration measures and more money for Turkey; European Parliament urges release of human rights defenders in Sudan; EEAS updates on migration actions; and data should be used cautiously when it comes to refugees and migrants, expert warns.