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Situation in Sudan (per 2 May)
- Violence continues to escalate in El Fasher, North Darfur. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) states that it has treated over 100 wounded patients, many with gunshot wounds, at the South Hospital in El Fasher.
- MSF warns that it is the only aid organisation able to respond in mass casualty events in El Fasher.
- There are credible reports that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have already destroyed several villages west of El Fasher, states Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the United Nations.
- Thomas-Greenfield warns that El-Fasher “is on the precipice of a large-scale massacre.”
- RSF denies that it has received an official invitation to resume negotiations in Jeddah.
- There is a “catastrophic and life-threatening malnutrition crisis” in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur. 30% of screened children were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition, and 8% facing Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
- With the lean season approaching, MSF is fearing a rapid escalation of the crisis situation.
- NGOs with workers attempting to enter Sudan are raising the alarm over stalled visa applications. They call for the implementation of 6-month multi-entry visas to ease the bureaucratic process.
- Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister held phone calls with Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and head of the RSF Hemedti, urging an end to the fighting.
- Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov rounded up his visit to Sudan this week and pledged support for the Sudanese military government.
Situation in South Sudan (per 2 May)
- A priest and his driver are missing in South Sudan. Fr Luke left Nagero County for Tombura on 27 April, but he never arrived. The area where they went missing is controlled by Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) forces.
Situation in Tigray (per 2 May)
- The Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) has reached an agreement with the Federal Government on Wednesday to dismantle “illegal administrative structures”, “disband armed groups” and return IDPs in Western Tigray by the end of June, stated Vice-President of the TIA, Gen Tadesse Worede.
- The same process will be followed in Southern Tigray (Raya area) and Tselemti (southern Tigray) by the end of May.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 2 May)
- The Shelter Cluster in Ethiopia warns that many locations for displaced people are struggling with inadequate or non-existent shelter, overcrowding and substandard living conditions.
- Particularly in Tigray and Oromia, the situation is classified as ‘extreme’ in multiple woredas. The classification means that the locations have received little to no support in the last few months. The situation is extreme in among others Shire, Endebaguna and Axum.
- Armed clashes between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and Fano militia continue across the Amhara region. The government continues to impose severe restrictions.
International Situation (per 2 May)
- The UN Security Council deliberations on Sudan’s complaint against the United Arab Emirates, scheduled for Monday, were delayed until May at the request of the United Kingdom.
- Pro-democracy Eritrean diaspora members fear that festivals around Eritrean independence day on 24 May may lead to renewed threats and repression by pro-government Eritreans, and renewed clashes between pro-government Eritreans and pro-democracy protesters.
- The festivals are part of the Eritrean ‘Fourth Front’, an Eritrean government-led movement to include diaspora Eritreans as part of Eritrea’s defence.
Regional Situation (per 2 May)
- Dozens of people are dead or missing following heavy flooding around Nairobi, Kenya. Torrential rains have caused a basin to overflow and are causing landslides.
- A bomb attack in northern Kenya near the border with Somalia killed five people.
- 124,150 people in Somalia have been impacted by the Gu rains since 19 April, with 5100 being displaced and seven children killed. Jubaland, Hirshabelle and South West states are the worst affected.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 2 May)
- The European Council has restricted visa applications for Ethiopian nationals. This comes as the European Commission concluded that Ethiopia is insufficiently cooperative when it comes to returns of Ethiopians, both voluntary and involuntary.
- With the restrictions, it is no longer possible for member states to waive requirements with regard to the evidence to be submitted by Ethiopian visa applicants; to issue multiple entry visas; and to waive the visa fee for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
- The EU states that the restrictions are temporary but indefinite, depending on progress in cooperation.
- The Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels responded by stating it is “dismayed” by the decision.
- The European Union will provide €1 billion in financial support to Lebanon to bolster the economy and support the reception of Syrian refugees, in order to prevent them from leaving to Europe.
- This comes after Cyprus raised the alarm over a peak of Syrian refugees arriving from Lebanon.
- A Swiss parliamentary committee is backing a plan to send around 300 Eritrean asylum seekers whose asylum requests have been rejected to a third country. The plan was introduced by MP Petra Gössi, a member of the centre-right Radical-Liberal Party.
- Switzerland does not grant Eritreans asylum purely on the basis of having illegally left the country, and the Swiss courts ruled that the prospect of conscription in the indefinite national service in Eritrea does not mean that Eritreans cannot be deported. Eritrea does not cooperate with returns currently.
- The plan will be discussed by the Swiss House of Representatives in June.
Links of interest
MSF warns of catastrophic malnutrition crisis in Zamzam camp amidst escalating violence in North Darfur
Fears of Massacre in Darfur Looms Large
Devex Newswire: Aid groups want to help Sudan. But they can’t get in
Saudi FM Discusses Sudan Developments with Burhan, Hemedti
Saudi Arabia presses Sudanese military for ceasefire as war worsens
Russia pledges support for Sudanese military-led government
South Sudan: Where are Fr Luke and his driver?
Illegal administrative structures”, “disband armed groups” and return IDPs in Western Tigray by the end of June. Vice president of Tigray Gen.Tadesse
Ethiopia ES/NFI Cluster Q2-2024 Priority Woredas and Activities
UN Security Council delays discussion on Sudan’s complaint against UAE
The Eritrean ‘Fourth Front’: Festivals as a tool to control the diaspora (updated 29 April 2024)
Scores missing as Kenya ravaged by mass flooding
Bomb attack in northern Kenya kills 5 people near the border with Somalia
Somalia Situation Report, 30 Apr 2024
Ethiopia: Council restricts visa provision
News: Ethiopia ‘dismayed’ by EU’s restriction of visa provisions to Ethiopians
EU unveils €1-billion aid package for Lebanon in bid to curb refugee flows
Swiss politicians debate sending rejected Eritreans to third country
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.