Africa Monitors

Khartoum, Sudan – Kabbee is an Eritrean association founded in California USA, in December 2017 by committed Eritreans. The main purpose of the association is to provide trainings to Eritrean refugees and equip them with different skills such as computer applications, English language, wood and metal works, driving, etc… Currently its activities are limited in Sudan, Egypt and through time Kabbee will expand to Uganda and Ethiopia.

 The association has conducted seminar on May 13^th in Khartoum, Sudan. Founder of the association Mr. Alazar Yosief Hashenkit explained to the participants how and why the association was established and so far what are achieved and what future plan does the association has. In his explanation, Mr. Alazar, said that though the association was founded in December 2017, however it became functional and active starting from March 2018. Mr. Yosief added that the association started its activities, with limited resources, by providing training on computer and wood and metal works to limited number of Eritrean refugees in Khartoum, Sudan. He added that with time the training was made to include different skills and since its inception Kabbee has provided training to 822 refugees of which 632 have completed their training.

Objectives of Kabbee

Eritrean refugees in the countries where they live in or stay for transition face different challenges such as language barrier, financial problems and unemployment. To address these challenges Kabbee has taken the initiative to play a role. One of the main objectives of the association is to help Eritrean refugees to acquire skills and knowledge which will help them to develop themselves and use their time purposefully.

Future Plan

Mr. Yonas Head of Training in Sudan and Egypt pointed out that Kabbee will expand its activities to Uganda and Ethiopia to create similar opportunity for Eritrean refugees residing in these countries. In addition Mr. Yonas indicated that the association will expand its limited activities in Cairo to include different training and skills, introduce advanced education, open training and testing centres. Furthermore, graduate and post graduate programs through online are also part of the long term plan of the association.”

Kabbee is an association independent of any religion or any political organization which only strives to help Eritrean refugees. All trainings provided by Kabbee are free of charge. The word ‘Kabbee ’ is in Belien (which is one of the languages spoken in Eritrean) and its meaning is to help.

22 Eritreans were arrested on Wednesday 15 May, 2019 on suspicion of victims of human trafficking. Here follows the news according to http://www.mediamaxnetwork.co.ke .

Special Crimes Prevention Unit detectives are holding 22 Eritreans suspected to be victims of human trafficking.  They were arrested during a sting operation on Thika Road on Wednesday night. They include 18 women and four men aged between 15 and 38 years. Four Kenyans believed to be the masterminds of the racket are in police custody.

Police said the Eritreans were being ferried in two vehicles and escorted by another vehicle with two occupants. Two drivers, identified as Amin Shariff Abdul Qadir and Elias Mahabub, are being interrogated.  “They are being held at Kasarani Police Station,” a senior detective said.

Muhsan Shariff Abdikadir, a Kenyan, is believed to be the facilitator of movements of the illegal aliens into the country before the transit to South Africa. Sharrif and his driver, Muhamed Doyo, are also in police custody.

Kenya has been cited as a key source, point of transit and destination of domestic and international human trafficking web targeting women and children.

A new EU programme aims to invest in young entrepreneurs and women in Africa and in turn deter them from migrating abroad.

The EU ‘Small Loans and Guarantee Programme Risk-Sharing Facility’ which forms part of the ‘External Investment Plan’ (EIP), will give young African entrepreneurs the opportunity to boost their small businesses. Under the programme, EUR 4.2 million has been allocated to help banks in Africa better assist small businesses and boost job creation. Local banks in Africa will be able to administer tailored loans and financial products to young Africans in low-income, fragile and conflict-affected countries.

The Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica said; “This new programme worth over EUR 4 million will make a real difference for those who often struggle to access sources of financing for their business ideas: women, young entrepreneurs or small businesses in low-income countries. We expect to support some 50,000 small businesses and help to create up to 200,000 jobs.”

Unemployment is one of the main factors pushing African youth, including Eritreans, to undertake the dangerous and expensive irregular journey to reach Europe. According to the World Bank, youths account for 60% of all unemployed in Africa.

Europe has been supporting young Africans and equipping them with the skills they need to get a job at home and in turn deter young people from migrating abroad. For example, in August 2018, the UK signed a GBP 115 million grant designed to create 100,000 jobs for locals and refugees in Ethiopia. In August 2018, Italy also announced plans to invest EUR 1 billion in Northern African countries to help stem migration flows from the region. North Africa is a major point of transit for irregular migrants heading towards Europe.

In December 2018, the EU also introduced the ‘EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa’ which aims to assist vulnerable migrants, foster labour migration and reduce irregular migration to Europe. Since 2015, the EU fund has allocated EUR 582.2 million to finance 23 programs to deal with migration-related challenges in Africa.

 

 

Mehari (pseudonym) was born in Edaga Arbi and raised in Arbaete Asmara. He studied his elementary and middle school at Arbaete Asmara and he completed his high school at Ibrahim Sultan Secondary school. Mehari got a high score during the Matriculation Exam and he joined Asmara University to study his bachelor’s degree and eventually he graduated with a distinction from the department of Mathematic. After his graduation, he worked as an assistant instructor at the Mai-Nefhi Institute of science and Technology. He worked there until he was ordered to work as a teacher at the vocational and technical school known as Hamamos, at Sawa military training camp.

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