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 1 August)
- An indiscriminate attack on El Fasher’s markets, hospitals, mosques and residential areas in North Darfur was launched by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Saturday lasting for hours. Drone and artillery shelling on public buildings caused the death of at least 27 people with dozens more wounded.
- Minni Arko Minawi, the governor of Darfur, called the attack “one of the bloodiest days in El Fasher”.
- The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami also condemned the incident stating that many civilians were caught by surprise amid a relatively calm situation in the past two weeks.
- Widespread sexual violence against women and girls, some as young as nine years old, have been committed by RSF in Khartoum since the start of the conflict in Sudan. A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented 262 survivors of sexual violence aged between 9 and 60.
- Khartoum has become dangerous place for women to live as “the Rapid Support Forces have raped, gang raped, and forced into marriage countless women and girls in residential areas in Sudan’s capital,” said Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at HRW.
- Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chief of SAF, survived a drone attack that was launched on the Jabait military base in eastern Sudan on Wednesday. Drones had struck the base during an army graduation ceremony killing at least 5 people.
- SAF will not participate in negotiation talks co-hosted by the US, Saudi Arabia and Swiss Government in Switzerland which was originally scheduled for 14 August.
- Al-Burhan withdrew the SAF participation due to the drone attack on the Jabait base. Withdrawal comes only a day after SAF conditionally agreed to the Switzerland talks.
- Two drones were reportedly launched on a local government building in Ad Damir in River Nile state by RSF on Monday night while another drone attack was carried out on Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) base in Rabak in White Nile state.
- Kassala state in eastern part of Sudan witnessed heavy rain followed by floods over the past weekend. The situation not only affects the local population but also the current home of refugees as well as more than 255,000 people that have been displaced due to Sudan’s conflict.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 1 August)
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the 4-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) agreement with Ethiopia of $3.4 billion with an immediate disbursement of $1 billion.
- The ECF arrangement aims to support transformative economic reforms in the country. “The IMF looks forward to supporting these efforts to help make the economy more vibrant, stable, and inclusive for all Ethiopians”, said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
- The value of Ethiopian Birr fell 30% against the US dollar on Monday amid a shift to a market-based exchange regime introduced by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) in an attempt to revise Ethiopia’s foreign exchange system.
- Three civilians were killed and one injured in an attack on the Darra district of North Shoa zone in Oromia last week. The Darra district has witnessed a surge in escalating violence as the Ethiopian federal forces are separately fighting the Fano militia and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).
- About 400 students who took their final exam at Salale University, in Fische town, Oromia, have not been able to return home after the exam due to the unstable situation in the Darra district.
- Debretsion Gebremichael, the leader of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), stated that his party seeks to regain pre-war legal status rather than re-registering as a new political party.
- TPLF has sent a formal request to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), for the reestablishment of its legal status with an answer expected within two weeks.
Situation in Eritrea (per 1 August)
- Eritrea reportedly expelled Sudanese Charge d’Affaires, Khalid Abbas, giving him 72 hours to leave the country without offering any reason for his expulsion.
International Situation (per 1 August)
- Pictures of Emirati passports have been reportedly discovered in Sudan and connected to members of RSF, according to a 41-page document, sent to the UN security council and reported by The Guardian. The UAE previously denied any accusations of delivering arms to the RSF.
- Somalia arrested a journalist, AliNur Salaad, last week who had been reporting on drug usage within the Somali military. He has been accused of “immorality, false reporting and insulting the armed forces”.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) denounced the arrest of Salaad calling for his release. “Somalia must end its practice of harassing and arbitrarily detaining journalists,” Angela Quintal, head of the CPJ African programme.
- Deployment of Turkey’s armed forces in Somalia has been approved by Turkey’s Parliament. The military forces will support counterterrorism operations.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 1 August)
- 119 refugees from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, were evacuated from Libya to Italy on Tuesday, confirmed UNHCR. Refugees have been evacuated under mechanisms of evacuation or humanitarian corridors.
- 37 refugees have been representing the Refugee Olympic Team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, supported by the Olympic Refuge Foundation. In the largest Refugee Olympic Team to date, athletes are competing across 12 sports.
- Fillipo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, received the Olympic Laurel award for achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport in particular for his commitment within refugee communities.
Links of interest
At least 22 killed in RSF attack on Sudan’s al-Fashir, activist group says
UN condemns ‘indiscriminate attacks’ on North Darfur hospital, homes, market
Drone attacks in Sudan’s River Nile and White Nile states
“Khartoum is not Safe for Women!” Sexual Violence against Women and Girls in Sudan’s Capital
Sudan’s military leader survives drone strikes – army
Sudan sets conditions for U.S.-supported peace negotiations
Rain and floods add to misery of Sudanese displaced by war
Eastern Sudan’s Kassala Province: flooding affects displaced persons
IMF Executive Board Approves Four-Year US$3.4 billion Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s birr drops 30% as central bank floats currency
Three killed following new attack in North Shoa, Oromia region, 400 students stranded at Salale University amid escalating insecurity
News: TPLF disputes recent proclamation to re-register outlawed parties, seeks pre-war legal status
Eritrea has expelled Sudanese Charge d’Affaires Khalid Abbas From Asmara
‘Smoking gun’ evidence points to UAE involvement in Sudan civil war
Somalia arrests another journalist as press clampdown intensifies
Turkey approves two-year military deployment to Somalia
Turkey continues efforts to resolve conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia
119 refugees evacuated from Libya reach Italy — UNHCR
Largest-ever Refugee Olympic Team makes its entrance as Paris Games open
At Paris Olympics opening, UNHCR’s Grandi hails refugee athletes as a beacon of hope and peace
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.