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 13 May)
- An airstrike by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) struck near Babiker Nahar Paediatric Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur, on Saturday, causing the roof of the intensive care unit to collapse and resulting in the deaths of two children and at least one caregiver, states Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
- The incident followed heavy fighting between SAF and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday 10 May. The fighting took place close to the Babiker Nahar Paediatric Hospital prompting almost all patients to flee. The hospital has been one of the few remaining health facilities specialising in children’s care.
- 72 villages and settlements in Sudan have been destroyed by fires in April, according to an analysis by the Center for Information Resilience. This is the highest number since the start of the conflict in April 2023.
- The surge in fires, coinciding with reports of fighting and airstrikes, suggests indiscriminate use of fire as a weapon of war, leading to mass displacement of Sudanese people.
- SAF reportedly targeted the historical Republican Palace in Khartoum, launching an artillery strike on Sunday. The palace has been under RSF control since last year.
- SAF shot down two drones flying over Gedaref city reportedly attempting to attack an airport in the Al-Fashaga area.
- Damage and looting of pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies have disrupted traditional medicine distribution channels, leading to the proliferation of counterfeit and expired medicines and increased costs.
- Medicine is often smuggled from West Africa through Chad without appropriate storage facilities.
- The UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed concerns over the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
- “We are witnessing indiscriminate attacks against civilians, grotesque sexual violence against women and girls and humanitarians blocked, attacked and killed,” said Guterres during UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi on Friday.
- 92 civil society organisations called for urgent re-establishment of telecommunications infrastructure across Sudan. Telecommunication channels have been attacked by warring parties which severely impact civilian population as well as capacity of humanitarian staff members to deliver basic services.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 13 May)
- The human rights situation in Ethiopia has significantly deteriorated since the last UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in May 2019, according to the Joint Submission to the UPR by Human Rights Watch and Physicians for Human Rights.
- The report highlights growing widespread abuses and violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including attacks on civilians by various military groups, extrajudicial executions by the government security forces, arbitrary arrests, as well as sexual and gender based violence.
- The Ethiopian National Fuel Reform Steering Committee extended an embargo on licensing petroleum-related businesses, leaving investors in the fuel distribution sector awaiting permits.
- The Committee decision aims to prevent suspected illicit trade, and inadequate adherence to international standards, with future permits to be granted based on stricter criteria aligned with national and economic interests.
- The Ethiopians Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed concern over the recent decision by the EU Council imposing visa restrictions on Ethiopian citizens. The EU’s decision was issued in April due to “insufficient” cooperation by Ethiopia in taking back rejected asylum-seekers and irregular migrants.
- “We need to ensure that individuals are properly identified as Ethiopian citizens before being accepted back into the country,” said MoFA Spokesperson Nebiyu Tedla, adding that Ethiopia remains committed to cooperating with the EU.
- Women in Ethiopia are subjected to gender-targeted attacks and hate speech across various online social media platforms, leading many to retreat from public life both online and offline, according to a new study by the Center for Information Resilience.
Situation in Eritrea (per 13 May)
- The Eritrean Embassy to Switzerland condemned a letter by the Swiss government which reportedly prompts local Swiss authorities to be cautious over the potential organisation of Eritrean festivals on the occasion of Eritrean independence day celebrated on 24 May.
- The Eritrean Embassy called the warning letter “an irresponsible, reprehensible and unacceptable act of political and legal blasphemy of the highest order” and requested an immediate withdrawal of the letter.
Regional Situation (per 13 May)
- Somalia acknowledged an ‘error’ in the recent request to terminate the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), stating that it failed to acknowledge a process of transition.
- A new letter to the UN Security Council has been issued to correct these omissions, recognizing the need for a joint technical team to work on details of transition and planning processes.
- 4 million Somali children have been affected by conflict and climate change, said the UN independent expert on Somalia, Isha Dyfan, adding that over 60 percent of the current internally displaced persons are children.
- Management of the Ethio-Djibouti Railway’s operations have been handed over to Ethiopia and Djibouti governments after six years under the administration by the Chinese Railway Construction Corporation. The 750 km long railway connects Addis Ababa with the Port of Djibouti.
International Situation (per 13 May)
- €1 million has been allocated to address humanitarian needs relating to the cholera outbreak in Ethiopia. The country reported over 44.000 cases of cholera with 571 deaths.
- Emergency funding will be assigned to partners supporting the programs on water, hygiene, sanitation and health.
Links of interest
Bomb kills two children and puts El Fasher hospital out of action amid fighting
Fires used as weapon in Sudan conflict destroyed more towns in west than ever in April, study says
Sudanese army bombs Republican Palace in Khartoum
Counterfeit and expired medicines sold on Sudan markets
Sudan: UN chief denounces blockade of humanitarian corridors by belligerents
Telecommunications Blackout in Sudan: Parties to the Conflict Must End Collective Punishment
Ethiopia: Joint Submission to the Universal Periodic Review
Gov’t upholds embargo on fuel distribution licensure, halts construction of new pumping stations
MoFA slams EU’s visa restriction, press freedom statement
Online abuse silences women in Ethiopia, study finds
X: Ministry of Information, Eritrea
Somalia withdraws request to terminate UN mission
4m Somalia children hit by war and climate change, experts say
Juba lawyers ask EACJ for protection from state security agency
News: Ethiopia, Djibouti take over management of Ethio-Djibouti Railway after six years of commercial operations
Ethiopia: EU allocates €1 million to help combat cholera outbreak
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.