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 6 May)
- Heavy shelling between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is reported from Babanusa, West Kordofan. Most civilians have fled the city.
- RSF is attacking the 22nd Infantry Division of SAF in the city. RSF troops are sheltering in civilian houses, which are heavily bombed by SAF as a result.
- Fighting around the east of Wad Madani, Al-Jazira state, is intensifying between SAF and RSF. SAF forces are reportedly encircling Wad Madani from the east, west and south.
- The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that time is running out to deliver life-saving food aid to people in Darfur ahead of the rainy season, when many of the roads become inaccessible.
- “People are resorting to consuming grass and peanut shells”, WFP warns. Escalation of violence around El Fasher has halted aid convoys coming from Tine, Chad; restrictions from authorities in Port Sudan are preventing WFP from transporting aid via Adre, Chad, which is the only other viable route.
- Two drivers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were killed by gunmen in South Darfur on Thursday last week, and three other ICRC staff members were injured. The team was on its way back from assessing the humanitarian situation in Layba when the attack occurred.
- A UN Refugee Agency team reached the city of Omdurman for the first time since the start of the conflict for a two-day mission.
- The team reported massive destruction and widespread suffering of civilians who have been out of reach of aid for months.
- The founding convention of The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Tagadum) has been moved to 20 May.
Situation in South Sudan (per 6 May)
- South Sudan removed the recently imposed taxes and fees on various services and fuel, which caused the UN to suspend airdrops of aid due to rising costs.
- Charges on services rendered by firms contracted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan will remain in place, the South Sudanese government stated.
- South Sudanese President Salva Kirr met with a Sudanese delegation led by Lieutenant General Shams al-Din Kabbashi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of SAF, and Sudan’s Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim Yassin.
- They discussed solutions to bring peace to Sudan and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Situation in Eritrea (per 6 May)
- Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki is reported to be planning a large meeting in June, which is rumoured to be the first Party Congress since 1989.
- The US Eritrea Human Rights Report 2023 confirms that there have been no improvements in the situation of human rights in Eritrea, and that Eritrea did not take credible steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses.
- The report states that there are credible accounts of torture, cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment by the government; arbitrary arrest or detention; transnational repression against individuals in another country; and unlawful recruitment or use of children in conflict.
- The Eritrean embassy in the US has rejected the report.
- China’s newly appointed ambassador to Eritrea H.E. Li Xiang arrived in Asmara on 3 May.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 6 May)
- Thousands of Sudanese refugees have fled the Kumer camp in Amhara due to violent attacks and robberies by local Amhara militia.
- Refugees state that between 7,000 to 8,000 people fled on Wednesday morning last week, as the camp was attacked. Sources state that local authorities prevented refugees from leaving the camp while the attack was going on.
- Attacks on refugees have been frequent in the Amhara refugee camps, and kidnapping for ransom is also reported.
- Firing of heavy weapons was reported this weekend outside of Lalibela, Amhara. This comes as Fano militia opened fire on Lalibela government officials who were outside the city, returning from a meeting, killing four officials, last Tuesday.
Situation in Tigray (per 6 May)
- The Tigray Interim Regional Administration and the federal government have set the end of June 2024 as the deadline for the full implementation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, which will be monitored by the African Union.
- The federal government is ready for a “law enforcement operation against Tigray” if the regional administration does not proceed with the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration process, said Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh during a media briefing after a visit to Kombolcha last week.
Situation in Kenya and Somalia (per 6 May)
- Floods continue to heavily impact countries in East Africa. The death toll from floods rose to 228 in Kenya. Heavy rainfall continues in and around Nairobi, leading to the risk of further floods and landslides.
- 23,000 people in Somalia were displaced by heavy rainfall which triggered flash floods in Dhobley and Afmadow, Lower Juba.
International Situation (per 6 May)
- Two Eritrean government supporters in Tel Aviv, Israel, were arrested on suspicion of organising an attack on pro-democracy Eritreans. They carried ammunition and assault weapons.
- The EU allocated €500,000 in emergency funding to Kenya in response to flooding.
Links of interest
Artillery battle in Babanusa as RSF threaten Fula
Sudanese army, RSF clash intensifies in Al-Jazira State
WFP warns time is running out to prevent starvation in Darfur as violence in El Fasher escalates
Sudan: Two ICRC drivers killed by gunmen
Grave concern over civilians cut off from life-saving aid in Sudan
South Sudan removes new taxes that triggered UN aid suspension
South Sudan president, Sudanese officials discuss peace and humanitarian aid
Sudanese refugees flee UN camp in Ethiopia following attacks
Fed, Tigray admin set two-month deadline for Pretoria deal implementation
Eritrea 2023 Human Rights Report
Chinese Embassy in Eritrea on X
Kenya floods death toll continues to rise as heavy rains, flooding persist
UNHCR Somalia Protection and Return Monitoring Flash Alert #06 | May 2024
Two axe-wielding Eritrean government supporters arrested in Israel
EU allocates €500,000 in emergency funding to Kenya, following devastating floods
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.