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Situation in Ethiopia (per 14 September)
- The head of the Tigray’s People Liberation Front (TPLF), Debretsion Gebremichael, has announced that an alliance between TPLF-aligned forces and other opposition groups has been formalised and is now “irreversible” as tensions with Ethiopia’s federal government continue to rise.
- The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) has announced that it will submit around 400 recommendations to Parliament by 20 September.
- Tigray-related decisions of the ENDC will not be submitted to regional bodies, but to the federal government, until more favourable conditions arise in the future.
- Nine heavy truck drivers were abducted and four oil-landed trucks were set alight by an armed group in West Wallega, Oromia region.
- 300 political prisoners associated with the conflict in the Amhara region were released by Ethiopian authorities following the completion of federal government-administered “rehabilitation training” and the signing of pardon documents.
- A group of 30 political figures and journalists refused to sign the pardon documents and undergo rehabilitation, as a result they continue to be held in custody.
Situation in Sudan (per 14 September)
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) together with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) have captured several areas in the Blue Nile region, including Madal Abiqo, Beli Bong, and Kambarda in Kurmuk locality. They are now moving towards Ed Damazin, the regional capital.
- A series of drone attacks were deployed by the RSF on multiple locations across Ed Damazin on 13 September in the evening.
- Six localities across Sudan’s West Kordofan face serious famine due to severe drought, damaged harvests, and spiralling prices. The situation has deteriorated dramatically in those areas under the control of the RSF.
- Over 665,000 displaced people face famine, shelter shortages and diseases like cholera at the Daba Naira camp in Tawila, west of El Fasher, North Darfur. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is struggling to keep up with the number of people being displaced and entering the camp each day.
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have stated that they will advocate for the head of the Sovereign Council and military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to remain the head of state in Sudan for several electoral rounds in order to prevent insecurity.
- The leaders of Sudan’s civilian alliance, Somoud, and the UN’s personal envoy, Pekka Haavisto, met and discussed the importance of respecting Sudanese civilians’ ownership in international interventions to help stop the war.
International and regional situation (per 14 September)
- Yemen’s Houthi militia have seized control of several strategic locations on the Bab el-Mandeb strait, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Regional tensions have escalated further as Saudi Arabia has temporarily closed the East-West oil pipeline near Riyadh and Medina, following a drone attack.
- The Swiss Federal Council has prohibited the trade of gold originating in Sudan, which is one of the key resources funding the ongoing war. This prohibition also applies to the sale to Sudan of certain chemicals used in gold mining. By doing so, the Federal Council is aligning itself with EU’s equivalent decisions.
- At the UN Human Rights Council, a coalition of 41 countries issued a collective statement voicing serious alarm about the persistent security threats and human rights abuses across Ethiopia’s Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara regions.
- The UN Security Council voted unanimously to extend the arms embargo on Sudan’s Western Darfur region for one month. Discussions are still ongoing regarding the US initiative to impose a nationwide ban.
- Sudan’s UN Ambassador, Al-Harith Mohamed, affirms that a total arms embargo would contravene the UN Charter’s guarantee of the right to self-defence.
- The leaders of the BRICS group of nations urged an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and expressed a deep concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis and the risk of extremism and terrorism spreading.
- The 18th BRICS Summit concluded with member nations explicitly supporting Ethiopia’s current efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- The summit also recognized Ethiopia’s diplomatic ambitions by supporting its candidacy for a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council, as well as its bid to host the UNFCCC COP32 conference.
- SAF’s leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met with the British special envoy, Richard Crowder, on 12 September in order to discuss efforts to end the war in Sudan and address the recent report from a UN Human Rights Council fact-finding mission.
- The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has warned that the country’s upcoming elections in December could lead to further armed violence and unrest unless appropriate security, political and human rights measures are implemented.
- Somali pirates hijacked a vessel sailing under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines off the coast of Yemen.
- Eritrea’s Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh, has stated that there is no military remedy for the conflict in Yemen and that littoral states must decide on navigation in the Red Sea, though this is complicated by the fact that Yemen is not unified under a single government.
- Anthropic AI claims that an attempt was made to use Claude for developing missile guidance software in northern Yemen.
- Somalia plans to enter the space industry in 2027. It will launch its first satellite from the Warsheekh district, in Middle Shabelle thanks to the continuing partnership with Turkey in the sector.
Links of interest
News: Amid escalating federal-Tigray tensions, Debretsion says alliance has become ‘irreversible’
Ethiopia Dialogue Commission to Submit Tigray Agendas to Federal Government
Four Oil Tankers Burned and Nine Abducted in Oromia Region
300 Amhara Political Prisoners Released After Rehabilitation
SPLM-RSF alliance advances toward Blue Nile capital, army reinforces
Drone swarm strikes Sudan’s Ed Damazin amid escalating Blue Nile front
Famine looms across West Kordofan as drought and conflict bite, activists say
Over 665,000 displaced people face shelter crisis in Sudan’s Tawila
Sudan army will push for Burhan to stay in power, senior general says
Sudan civilian bloc urges UN envoy to ensure neutral, inclusive peace track
Yemen: Houthis tighten control of strategic Red Sea towns
Federal Council joins EU sanctions against trade in gold from Sudan
41 Nations Issue Joint UN Statement on Ethiopia Human Rights
UN extends partial Sudan arms embargo for a month
BRICS leaders call for immediate Sudan ceasefire, warn of extremism proliferation
BRICS Summit Endorses Ethiopia’s WTO Bid, Backs Key Global Roles for Addis Ababa
Sudan army chief, British envoy discuss dialogue and UN rights report
UN rights body warns South Sudan elections could fuel violence
Somali pirates briefly seize vessel in Gulf of Aden
No military solution to conflict in Yemen, Eritrean foreign minister says
Anthropic claims Claude AI used for missile projects, global espionage
Somalia plans first satellite launch in 2027 as space partnership with Türkiye takes shape
Disclaimer: All information in this Situation Report is presented as a fluid update report, as to the best knowledge and understanding of the authors at the moment of publication. EEPA does not claim that the information is correct but verifies to the best of ability within the circumstances. Publication is weighed on the basis of interest to understand potential impacts of events (or perceptions of these) on the situation. Check all information against updates and other media. EEPA does not take responsibility for the use of the information or impact thereof. All information reported originates from third parties and the content of all reported and linked information remains the sole responsibility of these third parties. Report to info@eepa.be any additional information and corrections.