News Highlights: SAF withdraws from negotiations – US applies sanctions, Isaias visits Russia, Eritrean festivals cancelled in EU

In this week’s News Highlights: US imposes sanctions as SAF walks away from negotiations; Humanitarian situation in Sudan; Damage to healthcare facilities in Sudan; Destroyed infrastructure in Sudan; Youth Citizens Observers Network denounces violations in Sudan conflict; Sudan’s refugee situation; Roadmap for resolution of Sudan conflict adopted by AU; UNSC closed meeting on Sudan; Occupation of Western Tigray continues; Starvation and blackouts in Tigray continue; Ongoing humanitarian impact by unrest in Oromia and Amhara; Airline sued for excluding Tigrayans from services; President Isaias visits President Putin; 17 killed after al-Shabaab attack; Tunisian national guard arrests a smuggler and blocks crossing attempt; Eritrean PFDJ festivals cancelled in the Netherlands and Belgium; Proposal for EU reception quotas; Severe criticism of Frontex’s data reliability; The Commission aims at implementing EU’s visa-free travel regimes; EU neglects Afghan refugees, IRC says; NGOs accuse Malta of illegal pushback by proxy; Migrants and refugees stuck at the Poland-Belarus border; Germany to increase border controls; NGOs concerned over illegal pushbacks in Germany; Police officers arrested for smuggling in Greece; People rescued at sea off the Italian coast; French soldiers charged over migrant deaths; and British PM Sunak prioritises the fight against illegal migration.

Horn Highlights: UN and EU representatives’ cautious peace optimism, Refugees in Addis summoned to Embassy, EU seeks MS investment ahead of Summit

In this week’s Horn Highlights: Conference on AU-EU collaboration, with peace building as key precondition; Fears that stolen artefacts from Tigray are being sold online; Eritrean refugees summoned to Addis embassy; UN Deputy SG hopeful a peace agreement can be reached; map analysis of the conflict between June-December 2021; Tigrayan prisoners extorted by guards, witnesses say; WHO sends medical supplies to Tigray by air; OLF accusses government of torture of detainees; EU, US and others condemn Sudan for political arrests; former head Eritrean Orthodox church dies in detention; EU seeks more Member State investment for AU-EU collaboration; Blinken speaks to AU Commission Chairperson.