By TESFA-ALEM TEKLE
Eritrea’s leading opposition movement, The Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO) on Wednesday called on the United Nations, African Union, European Union and international human rights organizations to urgently investigate reported humanitarian and human rights concerns affecting Afar communities along Eritrea’s Red Sea coast and islands.
In a statement shared to The East African Daily, RSADO urged international bodies to facilitate emergency humanitarian assistance, establish independent monitoring mechanisms and investigate the alleged impact of Eritrean government security and military policies on civilian livelihoods, freedom of movement and access to essential services.
Yassin Mohamed Abdalla, RSADO’s head of political affairs, who spoke to The East African Daily, called for stronger international engagement, warning that restricted access to affected communities and limitations on independent reporting risk leaving serious humanitarian needs undocumented and unaddressed.
Concerns over humanitarian access and civilian livelihoods
RSADO said Afar communities in the coastal areas and islands face serious concerns involving access to food, safe drinking water, healthcare and other essential services.
The organization also raised concerns about the destruction of livelihoods, restrictions on movement and the displacement of young people.
It argued that limited independent media coverage should not be interpreted as evidence that humanitarian suffering is absent adding that restrictions on information gathering make independent verification and access for international observers particularly important.
However, the extent of the reported conditions and the number of people affected could not be independently established by The East African Daily.
The concerns underscore the importance of allowing independent humanitarian organizations, journalists and human rights monitors to access affected communities and assess their needs without undue restrictions.
RSADO holds Eritrean authorities responsible
The opposition movement held the Eritrean government politically, legally and morally responsible for what it described as policies and restrictions that undermine civilian living conditions and violate fundamental rights.
The organization underscoreed failure by Eritrean authorities to protect civilian lives, ensure access to basic services and address restrictions affecting local communities.
Hence, urged international institutions to move beyond statements of concern and take practical measures to secure humanitarian access to the mainland coast and islands.
RSADO warned that continued inaction could deepen the vulnerability of civilians facing reported shortages of food, drinking water and medical assistance, alongside the risks of disease and displacement.
Independent human rights investigation
The organization called for an investigation into the alleged effects of Eritrean security and military policies on freedom of movement, food security and local livelihoods, with a view to ensuring accountability where violations are established.
Calls for International Probe Collaboration
The allegations require independent investigation to establish the scale of the humanitarian situation, determine responsibility for any violations and identify the assistance needed by affected communities.
Yassin confirmed The East African Daily that RSADO would welcome and is ready to collaborate with any international body seeking to investigate the reported ongoing grave humanitarian and human rights violations against the Red Sea Afar people in Eritrea
Urgent demands to the international community
Via its head of political affairs, RSADO called on the United Nations, African Union, European Union, regional institutions and international human rights organizations to take urgent action in several key areas.
Emergency humanitarian assistance
RSADO urged international agencies to deliver food and nutritional support, safe drinking water, essential medicines and medical supplies, prioritizing children, women, older people and those with chronic illnesses.
Healthcare support
The organization called for strengthened local healthcare facilities through the deployment of qualified medical personnel and the provision of essential medicines, diagnostic equipment and other critical supplies.
Unrestricted humanitarian access
RSADO urged authorities to ensure that independent humanitarian organizations can assess needs and distribute assistance transparently, without undue interference.
Protection of civilians and young people
RSADO called for action to address concerns about militarization and forced conscription, which it says separate families and contribute to the displacement of young people.
End restrictions on independent reporting
The organization demanded that journalists and human rights observers be allowed to access affected areas and document conditions without intimidation or unjustified restrictions.
Permanent international monitoring
RSADO also called for a regional and international mechanism to monitor humanitarian, economic and human rights developments and publish regular, independent reports.
The wider implications
The appeal raises broader questions about humanitarian access, independent scrutiny and the protection of communities in areas where information is difficult to obtain.
Without reliable access to affected populations, humanitarian agencies may struggle to determine the scale of need, prioritize assistance and verify allegations of abuses.
Independent assessments are therefore essential not only to document suffering but also to ensure that any response is based on credible evidence and reaches those most in need.
For international organizations, the challenge is to translate calls for action into practical steps, including independent needs assessments, access negotiations and sustained monitoring.
For Eritrean authorities, the demands highlight the importance of transparency, civilian protection and compliance with applicable international human rights and humanitarian obligations.
RSADO appealed to international institutions and human rights organizations to act urgently, arguing that civilian lives and dignity must take precedence over political and military considerations.
The Eritrean authorities’ response was not available at the time of publication.
The publication remains open to responses from the Eritrean government and other relevant parties.
