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Situation in Sudan (per 1 July)
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claim they have captured Singa, the capital of Sennar state in south-east Sudan. RSF states it has captured all major sites, including the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) 17th Infantry Division base.
- RSF is committing looting in the city. Around 250,000 residents and IDPs have fled.
- The RSF is holding patients and staff in Singa hospital with the intention to use them as human shields, states the Sudanese Observatory for Human Rights.
- The attack on Singa happened quickly, after RSF broke through the defences at the Al Jazira border last Monday. RSF then went around the heavily defended city of Sennar and quickly advanced towards Singa.
- The Sennar state is an important state for agriculture, capturing the city is raising concerns of further disruption of the food supply in Sudan.
- Refugees in Sudan, including Eritrean refugees, are reportedly being held by the SAF in large numbers.
- In a recently uploaded video showing refugees being beaten by Sudanese armed forces, a Sudanese army general refers to the refugees as “mercenaries from Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia”. However, family members state that the refugees have nothing to do with the war.
- At least 11 people were killed during ethnic clashes in Northern Darfur. An activist stated that Arab militia attacked villages of the Zaghawa ethnic group.
- Armed men looted three trucks carrying humanitarian aid towards Central Darfur on Sunday.
- Over 750,000 people in Sudan are estimated to face “extreme lack of food, starvation, and exhaustion of coping capacities” (phase 5 emergency) over the next six months, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) states.
- 8.5 million Sudanese are estimated to be facing a phase 4 emergency situation, “acute malnutrition and disease levels are excessively high, and the risk of hunger-related death is rapidly increasing”.
Situation in Tigray (per 1 July)
- Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) President Getachew Reda met with UK Ambassador to Ethiopia, Darren Welch, in Mekelle last week. They discussed the progress on the implementation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and the situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
- The Tigray Public Transport Bureau officially wrote to transport enterprises, informing them that IDPs will be relocated to their “home areas”.
- Almost 1,500 IDPs have already returned to the Mai Aini, Mai Anbesa, Madhanealem, and Wuhedat kebeles. Returnees reportedly received a one-month ration upon their return. The returnees are concerned about their safety, as armed forces and militias may still be present.
- TIA officials called on the Ethiopian parliament to facilitate the recovery of 20 billion birr in undisbursed budgetary funding that was withheld from Tigray during the war. The officials warn that the 13 million birr currently earmarked for Tigray in the 2024/2025 budget is not enough.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 1 July)
- At least 27 civilians were reportedly killed by Ethiopian government forces in the North Showa and North Gojam zones of the Amhara region last week, states BBC Amhara.
- Eye witnesses linked the attacks to revenge for clashes between Fano militia and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), and ENDF forces claiming that the civilians would give information to Fano.
Situation in Kenya (per 1 July)
- Further protests have been scheduled in Kenya this week. Protesters have called for occupation of all major roads in the country on 2 and 4 July.
- Kenyan President Ruto stated that Kenya would have to borrow one trillion shillings to run the government, after Ruto promised to drop the controversial tax bill.
- The protests have not died down, however, with youth in Kenya demanding new and innovative approaches to create economic opportunities.
Situation in South Sudan (per 1 July)
- South Sudanese catholic bishops have rebuked the South Sudanese government over the lack of preparations for elections, in a pastoral message on 29 June.
- The bishops state that virtually none of the elements necessary, such as an independent electoral commission, demarcation of constituencies and registration of voters, has taken place. Furthermore, insecurity and flooding could prevent people from being able to participate.
Regional Situation (per 1 July)
- South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly approved of a project signed between Ethiopia and South Sudan to build a cross-border road; it now awaits approval by South Sudan’s President Kiir.
- The project concerns a 220 km long road, with an estimated cost of $738 million. Ethiopia is the financier of the project, while South Sudan is the borrower, and the repayment comes in the form of crude oil.
- An Ethiopian delegation, including Adem Farah, Vice President of the Prosperity Party Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, Chief of Staff of the ENDF, Berhanu Jula, and Shimelis Abdisa, the President of the Oromia region, travelled to Djibouti last Thursday for high-level meetings.
International Situation (per 1 July)
- Turkey is mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia over Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland in relation to a port deal.
- Haiti’s gangs have condemned the arrival of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). The first 400 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti last week.
- The Eritrean diaspora will protest in front of the court in Zwolle, the Netherlands, on Thursday in relation to the next hearing of alleged human trafficker Walid. They protest Eritrean involvement in human trafficking of Eritrean refugees, and the transnational repression by the Eritrean government.
Links of interest
Sudan RSF militia claims capture of Sennar capital, army detains activists
Blitzkrieg: RSF advance deep into Sennar State and storm into the capital Sinja
Ethnic clashes claim 11 lives, spark fears of tribal war in North Darfur
I recognised my sister in video of refugees captured in Sudan war
WFP: Armed men loot aid convoy in Central Darfur
Sudan on precipice of famine ‘beyond imagination’, says outgoing UN aid chief
Tigrai TV on X
Tigray admin pleads for Parliamentary intervention in undisbursed wartime budget issue
News: Nearly 1,500 IDPs return to Tigray’s Tselemti district ‘cautiously’ despite lingering fears
በአማራ ክልል በዚህ ሳምንት ከ27 በላይ የሚሆኑ ‘ሰላማዊ ሰዎች’ “በመንግሥት ኃይሎች” መገደላቸው ተነገረ
Kenya: Anti-government activists call for additional demonstrations and other political activities across country
Kenya to borrow more after new taxes withdrawn – president
South Sudan catholic bishops fault government for poor election preparations
Ethiopia and South Sudan to spend $738 million connecting their lands
Ethiopia, Djibouti strengthen ties amid ongoing high-level visits
Turkey mediating Somalia-Ethiopia talks on port deal
Gang leaders in Haiti say ready for war as Kenyan police prepare to deploy
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.