Economic focus aids Eritrean diplomatic rehabilitation

Subject

Eritrea's diplomatic re-engagement.

Significance

Eritrea and the EU this month are expected to sign a new aid package under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). The EU's push to take a more comprehensive approach to an exodus of migrants from Eritrea comes amid a spike in migrant deaths in the Mediterranean during April. For its part, Asmara's stance has evolved significantly since it was criticised for a slow and callous response to the death of more than 300 Eritreans off the Italian coast in 2013. The government is working to take advantage of EU momentum to divert the focus away from political issues and towards economic factors.

Impacts

• EU relations may improve, but Eritrea will continue facing difficulties in the UN and with the United States.
• Ethiopia is not threatened militarily by Eritrea but prefers Asmara to remain isolated, and will work against lifting UN sanctions.
• Recent diplomatic visits with Saudi Arabia and Egypt suggest that Eritrea may be able to leverage its proximity to insecurity in Yemen.