[VIDEO Review] German minister says he expects fewer migrants from Eritrea, after visiting Eritrea in 2018
(24 Aug 2018) Germany’s development minister says a decline in migrants from Eritrea is expected after the country and Ethiopia have made peace.
Gerd Mueller spoke in Ethiopia after visiting Eritrea and meeting longtime President Isaias Afwerki.
Eritrea has been one of the world’s most closed-off nations and a major source of migrants fleeing toward Europe and elsewhere.
A dramatic diplomatic thaw in recent months with Ethiopia and its new prime minister has brought fresh attention from the international community.
Mueller said he hoped Eritrea’s system of national, years-long military conscription will be reduced and that the country will move toward “democratic structures.”
He said Eritrea’s people are now “full of hope.”
Mueller also praised Ethiopia’s reforms under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and announced 100 million euros in development assistance