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Eritrea was an issue of great concern at the 6th Citizens' Continental Conference that preceded the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, although the 26th African Union Summit failed to include Eritrea as a separate agenda item as recommended by the citizens' conference and earlier by the EPDP Chairman's memorandum of 20 January.

A final statement of the Civil Society Conference lent not only solidarity to Eritrean justice seekers but also urged African leaders to give appropriate attention to Eritrea and asked the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights "to be seized of the human rights situation in Eritrea and refer the country to the AU Summit Heads of State and Government, as a country that has continuously defied all decisions and recommendations" of regional and international organizations.

Over 170 representatives of Civil Society Organizations in Africa, working in all five geographical regions of the continent, and the diaspora, attended the conference that met from 21 to 23 January 2016, in their Sixth Citizens’ Continental Conference, to bring African voices to the African Union and share with the leaders African peoples' concerns, insights and recommendations, ahead of the 26th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government. The conference provided a forum for civil society organizations and African citizens to critically reflect on the progress to date, current challenges, gaps and opportunities in addressing Human Rights in Africa, and to share insights on what ought to be done and provide clear concise and coordinated recommendations from civil society.

Eritrea and Burundi were among the few regions treated as specific cases that needed very close attention.  

The Conference had expressed commitment to work closely with Eritrean justice seekers and other members of civil society in conflict situation countries.

The final statement added: "... On Eritrea, we call upon the African Union to: 1. Especially at the level of the Summit of Heads of State and Government, to put the human rights situation in Eritrea on the agenda and express its support to the Report of the United Nations Human Rights Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea; 2. We also call upon the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to be seized of the human rights situation in Eritrea and refer the country to the AU Summit Heads of State and Government, as a country that has continuously defied all decisions and recommendations concerning the country, made by regional and international organizations.... We commit to: 1. Lending our support to Eritrean human rights defenders in their efforts in raising awareness and ensuring promotion and protection of the rights of the Eritrean people".