Europe External Programme with Africa is a Belgium-based Centre of Expertise with in-depth knowledge, publications, and networks, specialised in issues of peacebuilding, refugee protection, and resilience in the Horn of Africa. EEPA has published extensively on issues related to the movement and/or human trafficking of refugees in the Horn of Africa and on the Central Mediterranean Route. It cooperates with a wide network of universities, research organisations, civil society, and experts from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and across Africa. The Situation Reports can be found here. To receive the situation report in your e-mail, click here. You can unsubscribe at any moment through the link at the bottom of each e-mail.
Situation in Sudan (per 25 March)
- The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), led by Minni Minawi, announced it will actively join the fight against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
- The RSF published a statement announcing it does not acknowledge any agreement on the delivery of humanitarian aid from Port Sudan through Al Dabba Road (Northern State) to Darfur, as announced by Minni Minawi last week.
- RSF states that Minawi does not have the authority, as RSF forces have freed Darfur from the “jihadist former regime and its supporters”. RSF states that the aid operations are a guise to provide military support to El Fasher.
- As aid in Sudan continues to be severely restricted, grassroots movements in the form of mutual aid efforts are stepping up to distribute food, shelter and provide psychological services.
- The IRC states it has seen a 175% increase in daily screening of malnourished children under five years old in its clinics since the conflict started. There is a risk of famine particularly in West Darfur, Khartoum, and areas in Greater Darfur.
- UN experts have received reports of women and girls, including internally displaced persons, being sold in slave markets in areas controlled by RSF forces and other armed groups, including North Darfur.
- The experts call for accountability and effective investigations into the violations of human rights and humanitarian law.
- Violent clashes continue in Khartoum Bahri, as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) try to cut off the Jaili-Khartoum road which the RSF uses to obtain fuel supplies. In addition, the RSF is attempting to tighten its control over other areas of Bahri.
- Bahri and East Nile have been without electricity for three weeks, and communications networks have also been cut off.
- Human rights violations including killings and abductions of civilians perpetrated by RSF continue in South Kordofan State and the Nuba Mountains, while the ongoing blackout severely restricts the ability to document such violations, states the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA).
- Sudan’s Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces, known as Tagadum, is striving to hold the Tagadum founding Convention on 9 May. Tagadum leadership will meet in Addis Ababa in early April for a preparatory meeting.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 25 March)
- A delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has arrived in Ethiopia to discuss Ethiopia’s request for a loan programme of around $3.5 billion.
- The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published a report on the national inquiry into persons deprived of liberty.
- The EHRC found violations including torture and ill treatment, arbitary detention, denial of access to counsel, denial of family visits and other violations in SNNPR, Somali, Amhara, and Oromia regions.
- Perpetrators included government officials, and the EHRC notes that “some violations and problems are systemic and rather show patterns of violation that apply to a significant number of the population.”
Situation in Tigray (per 25 March)
- The Tigray Interim Administration stated that the Amhara regional government is including Tigray territories as Amharan in its educational curriculum and maps.
- The administration is demanding an immediate correction of these actions.
- Landmines and unexploded remnants of the war in Tigray continue to make victims, including children. The regional authorities state that they lack the mandate or resources to act on the problem.
- Mines also hinder people from taking livestock out to pasture, collecting water, and gathering firewood.
Situation in South Sudan (per 25 March)
- Elections in South Sudan are likely to be postponed, states Africa Intelligence. The elections were originally set to be held at the end of this year.
- Unidentified gunmen shot and killed the Jebel Boma commissioner in the Pibor administrative area, as well as 14 other people.
- 6 people were killed in Lakes State in separate incidents last week. 2 wildlife officers were killed during patrol in Rumbek Centre County, and 4 people were killed during cattle raids.
- State authorities say there is an increase in the cattle raiding activities in the state since last month due to the spreading of arms in the hands of civilians.
- A probe into the death of journalist Christopher Allen in 2017 found that Allen was “unintentionally killed as a result of crossfire”.
- Previous reports have stated that Allen was deliberately targeted, as he was embedded in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition for his reporting.
Situation in Somalia (per 25 March)
- 4,380 cases of cholera and 54 associated deaths have been recorded in 32 districts in Somalia from 1 January to 18 March 2024. 62% of the deaths were among children below five years of age.
International Situation (per 25 March)
- Minni Minawi is confirmed to have been invited to the humanitarian conference on Sudan in Paris on 15 April 2024. Former PM Hamdok, associated with Taqadum, will also be there.
- A pledging conference on Ethiopia will take place in Geneva on 16 April.
- The Norwegian Parliament has adopted a motion asking the government to take measures to halt transnational repression against Eritreans living in Norway, following recommendations from a report which documents transnational repression in Norway by among others the Eritrean government.
- The Eritrean media Tesfanews falsely claimed that such actions were rejected.
- Libyan authorities announced an inquiry into widespread fuel smuggling, including the provision of fuel to RSF forces in Sudan, which the authorities state is fuelling the war in Sudan.
Links of interest
SLM-Minawi joins Sudan’s fight against RSF
Rapid Support Forces on X
World News in Brief: Sex trafficking and child recruitment in Sudan, new mass grave in Libya, children at risk in DR Congo
The Crisis in Sudan and the Unseen Resilience of Mutual Aid
IRC warns unfettered humanitarian access and scale-up of funding needed to avert catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan
RSF atrocities persist unabated in South Kordofan, Nuba Mountains: SIHA
IMF discusses loan for Ethiopia’s economic reform agenda
National inquiry into persons deprived of liberty
Tigray interim admin accuses Amhara region of ‘incorporating Tigray lands in curriculum, maps’
“People Cannot Even Trust The Ground They Are Walking On”: Landmines Terrorize Tigray
Presidential rivals Kiir and Machar set to put off landmark polls again
Jebel Boma commissioner, 14 others killed in ambush
South Sudan Probe Says US Journalist Died in ‘Crossfire’
Eritrea’s semi-official website posts factually inaccurate information
Libya to investigate claims oil smuggling is fuelling Sudan civil war
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.