With 2020 deadline Approaching, EU Institutions initiate talks for a post-Cotonou Agreement
31 Jan 2018

With 2020 deadline Approaching, EU Institutions initiate talks for a post-Cotonou Agreement

by | posted in: African Union, EEPA news and activities, European Commission, European Parliament, European Union | 0

Since 2000, the relations between the European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries have been largely governed by the Cotonou Agreement. This agreement aims at reducing and eventually eradicating poverty and, at the same time, contributing to sustainable development and to the gradual integration of ACP countries in the world economy. The Agreement is set to expire in 2020 and the EU institutions have initiated discussions on how to formulate a post-Cotonou Agreement that will address the possible gaps of the already existing document and will renew the relationship between the signatories.

Videos of torture in Libya sent to refugee family members by human traffickers demanding ransom
25 Jan 2018

Videos of torture in Libya sent to refugee family members by human traffickers demanding ransom

by | posted in: Africa, African Union, EEPA news and activities, Eritrea, Ethiopia, European Politics, Horn of Africa region, Human Trafficking, Libya, Migration, Sudan, Uncategorized, United Nations | 0

Belgian media showed images of Sudanese refugees held captive and tortured in Libya, showing the reality of torture for ransom in the country. These articles explain how migrants and refugees in North Africa are promised safe passage to Europe by smugglers, but often their journey ends in the hands of human traffickers in Libya. Here they are imprisoned and tortured while their families back home receive the images, together with ransom demands. Research has indicated the involvement of the Eritrean and Sudanese regime in human trafficking.   

News Highlights: Eritrean official declared ‘persona non grata’ in Netherlands, tension Horn of Africa mounts, more Sudanese troops deployed
18 Jan 2018

News Highlights: Eritrean official declared ‘persona non grata’ in Netherlands, tension Horn of Africa mounts, more Sudanese troops deployed

by | posted in: Africa, African Union, EEPA news and activities, Eritrea, Ethiopia, European Union, Horn of Africa region, Human Trafficking, Migration, Refugees in the EU, Sudan, Weekly news highlights | 0

In this week’s news highlights: Horn of Africa tension update; Sudanese officials have deep-rooted collusion with human traffickers, says Sudanese media organisation; Protests in Sudan met with police violence; Ethiopian opposition leader freed after one year; African high level panel focuses on migration; Dutch government declares head of Eritrean embassy office ‘persona non grata’; ECHR accepts appeals from Sudanese people against Italian police for possibily illegal returns; Hungary proposes taxes over NGOs dealing with migration; 1400 people saved in Mediterranean Sea by Italian coast guard, at least 2 die.