Switzerland is pulling the plug on development aid to Eritrea after the African nation repeatedly refused to take back rejected asylum seekers. Michael Steiner, spokesperson for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the decision, citing failed attempts to tie aid to cooperation on deportations.
“We are currently not supporting any further projects in Eritrea. No further progress could be made when it comes to migration,” Steiner told SRF.
Switzerland launched its aid program in 2016, hoping to improve vocational training and economic prospects in Eritrea while persuading its government to accept deported nationals. That gamble didn’t pay off—Eritrea only allows voluntary returnees and has shut down any real discussion on forced repatriations.
Now, with 200 Eritrean nationals in Switzerland awaiting deportation and nowhere to send them, Swiss officials are shifting strategy. Come May, all financial aid to Eritrea will stop, though minor initiatives may still be considered.
The move isn’t without controversy. Greens parliamentarian Sibel Arslan slammed the decision, arguing, “The Greens have always been against the idea of mixing international cooperation with migration policy. This kind of linkage is mistaken.” Meanwhile, Liberal Party lawmaker Damian Müller believes the aid freeze was overdue, saying Eritrea’s refusal to cooperate proves a new approach is needed.
Eritrea, often labeled an authoritarian state, has fueled a growing diaspora across Europe. Switzerland alone hosts around 7,000 Eritrean asylum seekers, while Germany has the largest expat community at 80,000. Many struggle to find stable employment, and tensions within these communities have led to violent clashes between pro- and anti-government factions in several European cities.
With Eritrea refusing to budge, Switzerland is now scouting for third countries willing to take in deported Eritrean nationals. So far, no takers.
