News Highlights: Israel cancels deportation plan, Human Trafficker ‘The General’ still free, Criticism on EU and UK cooperation with Sudan
26 Apr 2018

News Highlights: Israel cancels deportation plan, Human Trafficker ‘The General’ still free, Criticism on EU and UK cooperation with Sudan

by | posted in: Africa, African Union, Asylum Seekers, Deportation, EEPA news and activities, Eritrea, European Parliament, European Union, Horn of Africa region, Human Trafficking | 0

In this week’s highlights: Israel states that the deportation plan is cancelled; Swedish documentary on human trafficker ‘the General’; criticism for EU and UK cooperation with Sudan; South Sudan seeing more attacks on health facilities; Meron Estefanos on the tragedy of refugees; documents no longer needed for Eritrean family reunification in Sweden; report on EU support for authoritarian states; EP backs regulations on asylum; and AU presents progress in European Parliament.

EP DEVE Committee hosts AU: Cooperation progress going well but African Union stresses its funding gaps
25 Apr 2018

EP DEVE Committee hosts AU: Cooperation progress going well but African Union stresses its funding gaps

by | posted in: African Union, ECOSOCC, European Parliament, European Union, UNSC | 0

On the eve of the negotiations for a Post-Cotonou Agreement, which will manage the relations between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states after the Cotonou agreement expires in 2020, discussions between the stakeholders areintensifying. On 24 April 2018 the Development Committee (DEVE) of the European Parliament (EP) held a joint sitting with the Delegation to the ACPGroup of Statesto discuss the reform of the African Union.Their progress for reforming the African Union was described as good, however the speakers focused on theirfunding gaps, and asked for the assistance of the EU as their “major partner”.

Post-Cotonou Agreement: the EU should not downgrade the ACP, African officials urge
21 Mar 2018

Post-Cotonou Agreement: the EU should not downgrade the ACP, African officials urge

by | posted in: African Union, European Commission, European Parliament, European Union | 0

Yesterday, 20 March, the Development Committee (DEVE) of the European Parliament (EP) held a public hearing regarding the negotiations between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states and the European Union (EU) for a new comprehensive agreement that will manage their relationship after the Cotonou Agreement expires in 2020. According to the two parties,the post-Cotonou Agreement will have to address the possible gaps of the already existing document and it is expected to renew the relationship between the signatories. However, the exchange showed that the relationship of the two is fragmented, with the EU seeming optimistic and the African Union (AU) feeling left out.