Switzerland has announced the termination of its development aid program to Eritrea, citing persistent challenges in repatriating rejected asylum seekers. This decision follows a broader policy shift in Swiss aid, which recently included cuts to Zambia and two other nations.

The Swiss government's frustration stems from Eritrea's continued resistance to forced repatriation, despite diplomatic and humanitarian engagements. According to Swiss public broadcaster SRF, an external evaluation found insufficient progress in migration cooperation, leading to the aid suspension. The presence of around 260 Eritrean asylum seekers in Switzerland has ignited a fierce national debate, particularly regarding their deportation.

Several Swiss politicians have advocated for their repatriation, but Eritrea's refusal to accept them has stalled the process. Switzerland hosts approximately 40,000 Eritreans, making them one of the largest refugee groups in the country. However, a small number of rejected asylum seekers has drawn disproportionate attention, fueling public and political discourse.

Swiss media and public discussions have largely portrayed Eritrean migrants negatively, citing poor integration, language barriers, and dependence on social welfare. With Switzerland recently announcing the end of its development aid to Eritrea due to migration concerns, the debate over Eritrean asylum seekers is likely to intensify, reflecting broader European struggles with immigration and integration policies.

The decision to terminate the development aid program to Eritrea follows a broader policy shift in Swiss aid, which recently included cuts to Zambia and two other nations. In 2024, the Swiss House of Representatives resumed deliberations on Switzerland’s 2025 budget, focusing primarily on reducing proposed cuts to international aid amounting to CHF250 million. Lawmakers approved budget reductions of CHF147.7 million for bilateral development projects and CHF52.3 million for multilateral organizations.

Additionally, they sanctioned a CHF50 million reduction in economic cooperation programs under the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). This decision aligns with broader European concerns about migration, as Eritreans constitute a significant portion of asylum seekers in Switzerland and other European nations.

Switzerland has been involved in development projects in Eritrea since 2017, aiming to address economic and social challenges in the Horn of Africa nation. With Switzerland’s aid withdrawal, the future of its development projects in Eritrea remains uncertain, raising questions about the effectiveness of foreign aid in influencing migration policies.

The implications of this decision are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how Eritrea will respond to the aid withdrawal. As the debate over Eritrean asylum seekers continues to intensify, it is clear that the issue of migration and integration will remain a pressing concern for European nations in the years to come.