Situation report: Country-wide protests break out in Kenya; African Union initiates political dialogue in support of peace in Sudan; IDPs in Tigray organised demonstrations to speed up repatriation to their homes

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Situation in Sudan (per 24 June)

  • The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled two hospitals in Sudan last week, namely the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur, and the Al-Nau Hospital in Omdurman.
  • A pharmacist was killed in the attack in El Fasher, and three people, including a hospital volunteer, were killed in the Omdurman attack.
  • At least 17 people were killed and dozens more injured by RSF forces in Aseer village in Al Jazira state in central Sudan on Friday, states the resistance committee in Wad Madani. The attack reportedly targeted civilians who were leaving the mosque.
  • Fire broke out in the Bahri Thermal power plant, which is an important supplier of electricity in Sudan, on Saturday.

Situation in Ethiopia (per 24 June)

  • Heated debates are being held in the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives over new legislation tabled, with observers concerned that the legislation will remove the power of the courts and undermine the Rule of Law. Debate is also ongoing over proposed tax legislation reform.
  • Around 6,000 Sudanese refugees trapped by local militias in the Awlala Forest, Amhara region, are facing starvation and lack of medical supplies. The refugees are reportedly facing frequent attacks by Fano militia.
  • A large part of the Metema Camp in the Amhara region was destroyed by wind and heavy rain on Friday. 
  • Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Tigray organised demonstrations to speed up repatriation to their homes in areas continued to be occupied by Amhara and Eritrean forces.
  • IDPs state that they are seeing daily deaths in relation to hunger and suffer from lack of medications.

Situation in Kenya (per 24 June)

  • Country-wide protests broke out in Kenya over controversial taxation measures in Finance Bill 2024. The bill aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes.
  • Two protesters have been killed, and hundreds were injured. Police fired teargas canisters and water cannons to disperse protesters.
  • Protesters occupied churches on Sunday. 
  • A national strike has been called for Tuesday 25 June.
  • A Kenyan force of 1,000 police agents will depart to Haiti tomorrow, 25 June, to help stabilise the situation in the country, according to an anonymous Kenyan  interior ministry official. The mission has faced legal challenges.
  • Two advance teams have already departed for Haiti. The mission receives logistical support and funding from the US, as well as additional personnel from Benin, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados and Chad.

Situation in South Sudan (per 24 June)

  • A draft peace agreement from the South Sudan peace talks held in Nairobi outlines a new structure for a transitional government.

Regional Situation (per 24 June)

  • Only half of the planned 4,000 troops of the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) in Somalia will depart at the end of June, amidst fears of a power vacuum in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
  • Clashes occurred on Libyan territory between forces of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, led by Minni Minawi, and forces loyal to the RSF, as those forces attempted to move towards El Fasher.
  • The end of ATMIS and withdrawal of all troops is set for 31 December 2024.
  • International Medical Corps (IMC) sounds the alarm over the large influx of Sudanese refugees into Libya. IMC counted 45,000 Sudanese refugees in the Al-Mazraa area, with around 250-300 new people coming in every day.

International Situation (per 24 June)

  • The African Union Peace and Security Council on Heads of State and Government (HosG) adopted a communiqué on Sudan, announcing an all-inclusive Sudan political dialogue process in Addis Ababa between 10 to 15 July 2024.
  • The AU states the meeting facilitated by Egypt to promote dialogue between Sudanese actors, scheduled to be held early July 2024 in Cairo, will complement the AU/IGAD-led international dialogue.
  • The statement directs the Chairperson of the AU Commission to urgently set up a Peace and Security Council Ad–hoc Presidential Committee with representation from each region of Africa, led by President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. 
  • The Committee will be tasked with facilitating face-to-face talks between SAF and RSF.
  • The AU condemned the ongoing conflict and human rights violations. It demands an immediate ceasefire.
  • UK government officials are accused of attempting to suppress criticism of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over its role in allegedly supplying arms to the RSF, states The Guardian.
  • Sources told The Guardian that UK officials put pressure on African diplomats to dissuade them from criticising the UAE, during informal talks earlier this month in Ethiopia held to explore legal action against the UAE.
  • The European Council adopted sanctions against six individuals for undermining the stability and political transition of Sudan. This includes three individuals from the RSF and three from the SAF.
  • Around 1,000 pro-democracy Eritreans held a peaceful protest in Bern, Switzerland. They protested against the deportation of Eritreans to third countries, and the requirement for Eritreans to obtain a passport to receive asylum.
  • The Swiss government announced that it will send a Liaison, stationed in Nairobi, for talks with the Eritrean government about repatriation of its nationals. Meanwhile, Switzerland is looking into outsourcing its asylum procedures to third countries.

Links of interest

RSF shell two hospitals in Sudan amid medical disaster
More than 17 killed in RSF attack on village in central Sudan, resistance committee says
RSF accuses SAF of ‘criminal act’ as Khartoum Bahri power station burns
Metema Camp refugee camp in western Ethiopia flooded – an appeal for help
6,000 Sudanese refugees are trapped by local militias in Ethiopia
News: IDPs in Tigray rally for repatriation, urging proper implementation of the Pretoria agreement
‘Beg to survive’: The Tigray war refugees still languishing in camps
Kenya anti-tax protests unveil youth verve that could change region’s future politics
Kenyan police force to leave for UN-backed Haiti mission on Tuesday
South Sudan draft peace deal creates leadership council
Somalia defers Atmis drawdown plan yet again
Sudanese rival factions clash in Libya
Libia: fonti mediche, allarme profughi sudanesi a Kufra
Communiqué of the 1218th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council held on 21 June 2024 on the situation in Sudan
UK ‘tried to suppress criticism’ of alleged UAE role in arming Sudan’s RSF militia
Sudan: Council lists 6 individuals for undermining stability and political transition
Regimekritische Eritreer protestierten in Bern
Bund entsendet Verbindungsperson für Gespräche mit Eritrea

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