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 28 March)
- Formal peace talks to end Sudan’s conflict may resume on 18 April in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This was announced by Tom Perriello, US Special Envoy for Sudan. The US sees this timing as a good momentum to resume peace talks as the humanitarian conference on Sudan is organised on 15 April in Paris.
- Perriello added that the talks need to include all important African and regional counterparts including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), African Union, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) carried out airstrikes on Rapid Support Forces (RSF) vehicles stationed near Mellit city, North Darfur, as the RSF was blocking a humanitarian aid convoy moving towards El Fasher. SAF reportedly secured the passage of 7 trucks carrying aid.
- RSF established a native administration system in Al-Jazira state, which has been under the control of RSF since December 2023. A Civil Founding Council, as a part of the native administration, was formed with 31 members reportedly chosen through consensus from the local communities.
- The Civil Founding Council elected Professor Siddig Osman as a new head of the native administration. Professor Ahmed El Bashir had been appointed as a head of the Council.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 28 March)
- A bus transporting passengers from Gambella city to Lare district was attacked by an armed group killing 3 people, including a woman, a child and a bus driver, and injuring several others on Wednesday. Some passengers went missing after the incident and their whereabouts are unknown.
- The attacked vehicle was part of a convoy of buses leaving from Gambella. Armed men were trying to attack all buses but managed to besiege one of them.
- The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) states it has managed to recover $10 million out of $14 million that was lost during a CBE’s system glitch last week, confirmed head of the CBE Abe Sano. The system glitch allowed clients to withdraw a bigger amount than was deposited in their accounts.
- Another substantial part which was transferred to other banks is expected to be recouped by the CBE this week. Those clients that did not return the withdrawn cash voluntarily will face criminal charges.
- The Amhara region faces acute fuel shortages which caused the prices in the illicit market to ramp up.
- Ethiopia grapples with rising cases of malaria with 5.2 million confirmed cases and 25% increase in death toll from 611 deaths reported in January to 764 in February, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
- The most affected areas include Oromia, Amhara, South West, and Southern regions.
International Situation (per 28 March)
- A sudden decrease in oil revenues in South Sudan could lead to insecurity, instability and endanger the political economy of the country, according to experts.
- The oil export declined after a pipeline has been damaged in neighbouring Sudan, in the area controlled by RSF, with technical experts being unable to access it due to security concerns. “The pipeline accounts for two-thirds or three-quarters of oil revenues,” said Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group.
- IGAD appointed Hon. Lawrence Korbandy of South Sudan as new IGAD Special Envoy to Sudan. His responsibilities include actively participating in promoting discussion between warring parties in Sudan and offering advice on the way forward.
- Schools in South Sudan will resume classes next week after the South Sudanese government ordered closure amid extreme heat waves. Temperatures are expected to steadily decrease in anticipation of the rainy season.
- Somalia’s northern state, Puntland, opposes preparation of amendments of the constitution prompted by the federal government and president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Puntland stated that it will not recognize any new changes to the constitution as the state was not involved in the preparations.
- If approved, constitutional amendments should bring changes in governance, replacing the current parliamentary system of government and introducing a presidential system.
- The US announced $47 million for an emergency response to Sudan’s crisis, also supporting neighbouring countries that host large numbers of refugee populations fleeing from Sudan.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 28 March)
- Civil society organisations (CSOs) urge Egypt to immediately stop the systematic detention of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers and forcible return campaigns carried out by authorities. Detainees live in inhumane conditions in detention centres without access to health care.
- According to a decree adopted by Egypt in August 2023, non-nationals can legalise their stay by paying a $1,000 fee and late fines. The strict conditions caused the rise of irregular migration patterns which exposed Sudanese refugees to human trafficking, smuggling, and exploitation, warn CSOs.
- 1,000 refugees from Sudan are crossing the border with South Sudan daily trying to seek safety, stated Save the Children. A majority of people arrive through the Joda border crossing in Upper Nile State.
- Alongside the dire situation, lack of resources and overcrowded camps in South Sudan, refugees are also battling with extreme heat waves reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius.
- Mayors of several towns in France are complaining about the transfer of migrants and refugees from Paris to their localities causing the rates of homelessness to spike. Many city administrations state that the new policy is linked to the organisation of Olympic games in Paris.
- A mass grave with 65 bodies of refugees and migrants was discovered in Libya, south of Tripoli, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). “It is believed that they died in the process of being smuggled through the desert,” added IOM.
- Libyan authorities launched an investigation to find out the nationalities and identities of the victims and circumstances that lead to their death.
- Italy issued a 20-day detention order on the Geo Barents rescue ship operated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the Mediterranean sea for an alleged failure to comply with the orders of the Libyan Coast Guard during a rescue operation on 16 March.
- MSF refuted these allegations, stating that it was the Libyan Coast Guard that endangered the lives of refugees and migrants by carrying out dangerous manoeuvres and threatening MSF staff and rescuees.
Links of interest
US Eyes April 18 to Potentially Resume Sudan Peace Talks in Jeddah
Sudanese military strikes RSF blocking aid in North Darfur
Sudan: RSF establish civilian authority in El Gezira
News: Deadly armed attack on bus in Gambella region leaves three dead, several injured
Ethiopia’s CBE bank recovers $10m taken during technical glitch
News: Drivers in Amhara region hit hard by fuel shortages, skyrocketing prices
UN OCHA ETHIOPIA Situation Report Last updated: 25 Mar 2024
South Sudan on the brink after oil exports derailed by Sudan’s civil war
IGAD Executive Secretary Announces the Appointment of Hon. Lawrence Korbandy as Special Envoy for Sudan
Schools to reopen in South Sudan after two weeks of extreme heat
Somalia: Puntland rejects constitutional amendments
Joint Statement: Egyptian authorities must end arbitrary detentions and forced deportations of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers
Crisis At Border Of South Sudan And Sudan Escalating As About 1,000 People Arrive Daily Even After Nearly One Year Of War
Migrant transfers from Paris ahead of Olympics anger local mayors
Bodies of 65 people found in mass grave in Libya: UN migration agency
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.