NEWS & BLOG

Eritrea is a nation of striking landscapes, rich cultural traditions, and profound historical depth, renowned for its highland vistas, elaborate coffee ceremonies, and music that preserves centuries-old oral heritage. Yet global discourse frequently reduces Eritrea to narratives of crisis and displacement. Understanding why many Eritreans embark on some of the most dangerous migratory journeys requires situating these movements within the historical and structural context of colonisation, conflict, and governance.

Eritrea’s modern state boundaries were imposed through successive waves of imperial control. Italian colonisation, British military administration, and eventual federation with Ethiopia left enduring structural legacies, eroding indigenous governance systems, fragmenting communities, and setting conditions for protracted conflict. Independence in 1993, following a 30-year armed struggle against unification with Ethiopia, brought pride and optimism.

Yet the political and socio-economic scars of imperialism continue to influence governance practices and migration trajectories. Political power soon consolidated under a one-party system, eliminating political pluralism and severely restricting freedoms of movement, expression, and certain political associations. The Eritrean-Ethiopian border war of 1998-2000 resulted in approximately 70,000 deaths and entrenched a culture of militarisation. During this time, both governments launched campaigns to expel individuals of the other origin, disregarding long-standing ties to each other and raising critical questions about national identity. 

Eritrean migration today is predominantly driven by structural and systemic factors: indefinite military service, political repression, economic marginalisation, and gender-based violence. National service, originally introduced as a temporary mechanism for reconstruction after the war, evolved into an indefinite conscription regime for men, women and sometimes children. Families are routinely separated for extended periods, and those who dissent are criminalised, with thousands detained without trial. Conditions during this service are extremely difficult. The UN commission of Inquiry (2016) reported Eritrea as having a ‘slavery like’ system including torture, sexual violence, forced labour, arbitrary detention, and extremely low pay. Meanwhile, environmental stressors, such as recurrent drought and food insecurity also exacerbate socio-economic vulnerability. 

It is no surprise, then, that Eritreans are among the top five nationalities applying for asylum in 2025 (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Eritrea and Bangladesh). Importantly, the UK’s initial decision grant rate for Eritrean applicants is 87%, significantly higher than most other nationalities, and well above the overall grant rate of 48%. 

Leaving is rarely a voluntary or opportunistic choice; rather, it represents a strategy of survival in the face of coercive state structures and pervasive insecurity. Each act of departure requires a complex calculus of risk and necessity, undertaken by individuals who have to leave behind profound cultural, familial and territorial attachments.

The migratory routes out of Eritrea are among the most hazardous in the world. Initial movements typically involve crossing into Sudan or Ethiopia through desert terrain, where dehydration and heat-related fatalities are frequent. Migrants are exposed to trafficking networks, armed actors, and predatory smuggling operations. Transit through Libya constitutes acute protection risks. Detention, extortion, and abuse are widespread. Many attempt the Mediterranean crossing in overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels, rendering the central Mediterranean one of the deadliest maritime corridors globally.

Despite these dangers, forms of resilience persist. Migrants organise informal mutual-aid networks, share resources during transit, and rely on diasporic connections for logistical support and survival strategies.

However, arrival in the UK does not signify an immediate end to precarity. People seeking asylum encounter protracted asylum decision-making processes. They are prohibited from employment and state benefits, and are dependent on limited governmental allowances. Many reside in inadequate asylum housing for extended periods. 

Eritreans represent the third highest nationality group at our centre, making up 8% of our community members – the majority of whom are women.

The psychosocial sequelae of trauma, combined with language barriers, cultural dislocation, and systemic inequalities, complicate integration.

Nevertheless, Eritrean communities cultivate cultural and social continuity through collective practices such as the coffee ceremony, traditional music, and communal gatherings. These practices serve as anchors of identity, resilience, and belonging in contexts of uncertainty.

Eritrea possesses a civilisational depth often obscured by narratives of crisis. The country’s heritage includes intricate tibeb-woven textiles, hairstyles signifying lineage, and festivals animated by rhythm and dance. These traditions travel with people, manifesting in community events and homes, signifying continuity amid displacement.

At West London Welcome we now host parties at our community centre to celebrate these beautiful traditions. This year featured an array of East African food, dancing and songs organised and enjoyed by community members. Hosted by the Network of Eritrean Women UK, voices with lived experience remain at the forefront of our events, activities and celebrations. 

Beyond reductive and problematic framings of migration lies a counter-narrative of resilience, creativity, and cultural persistence. Even in displacement, Eritrea’s heritage remains vibrant – in stories, rituals, and the everyday practices of communities striving to reconstruct life with dignity.

Bibliography 

Amnesty International. “Eritrea 2023.” Amnesty International Report. Accessed September 15, 2025. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/east-africa-the-horn-and-great-lakes/eritrea/report-eritrea/.

BBC News. “Eritrea Profile – Timeline.” Last modified 2018. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13349395.

Deng, Ajou Luol. “Beyond the British Colonial Legacy of Indirect Rule: Rethinking Peace in South Sudan through Pan-Africanist Lens.” Confluence Journal of History and International Affairs 3, no. 1 (2025).

Government of the United Kingdom, Home Office. How Many People Claim Asylum in the UK? Immigration System Statistics, year ending March 2025. GOV.UK, published June 25, 2025. Accessed September 18, 2025. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-march-2025/how-many-people-claim-asylum-in-the-uk 

Human Rights Watch. “East Africa, Horn: Civilian Suffering in Armed Conflict, Crackdowns on Dissent.” January 16, 2025. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/01/16/east-africa-horn-civilian-suffering-armed-conflict.

Human Rights Watch. “Eritrea: Crackdown on Draft Evaders’ Families: Collective Punishment over Forced Conscription Campaign.” February 9, 2023. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/02/09/eritrea-crackdown-draft-evaders-families.

United Nations Human Rights Council. Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea. Geneva: OHCHR, 2016.