SUDAN NEWS ALERT: DW - EU suspends migration control projects in Sudan amid repression fears

22/7/19: DW - EU suspends migration control projects in Sudan amid repression fears

 Deutsche Welle reports that a European Union spokesperson has confirmed that the EU has suspended projects targeting illegal migration in Sudan, amid fears they might have aided security forces responsible for violently repressing peaceful protests in Sudan.

 A German-led project that organizes the provision of training and equipment to Sudanese border guards and police was "halted" in mid-March, while an EU-funded intelligence center in Khartoum, has been "on hold" since June.

 The EU spokesperson denied that the Sudanese government benefits from direct EU financial support, saying that “all EU-funded activities in Sudan are implemented by EU member states development agencies, the UN, international organizations and NGOs, who are closely scrutinized through strict and regular monitoring during projects' implementation."

 DW note that an official EU document dated December 2015 highlighted the risk of EU equipment and training for Sudanese security services and border guards could be “diverted for repressive aims.”