The Eritrean ‘Fourth Front’:  Festivals as a tool to control the diaspora

Riots broke out in The Hague on 17 February 2024. It is the latest in a string of clashes around the world involving pro-democracy and pro-government Eritreans. The latter group organises festivals, proclaimed to be cultural festivals, but which pro-democracy Eritreans state are in reality propaganda events; places were high-level Eritrean officials visit, where diaspora Eritreans go under pressure and threats, where military propaganda and hate speech are spread, and where Eritreans have to pay money to the Eritrean government. Now, a picture is emerging of a highly coordinated effort by the Eritrean government to control the diaspora, which it calls the ‘Fourth Front’, through militia-like structures, including Eri-Blood and Eri-Mekhete. 

VODAN-EEPA Group: EEPA Collaborates with VODAN-Africa on Supporting Neglected Communities to Have Voice, Digital Presence and Rights

EEPA is collaborating with VODAN-Africa in the VODAN-EEPA Group on the objective of creating data equity and ethical inclusive AI, as well as creation of voice for voiceless communities. The goal is to create an African federated data space, where information is held securely and in-residence – the data stays with the data owner, but can still be used and ‘visited’ under well defined principles.

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.