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 5 August)
- Famine conditions are present in parts of North Darfur, confirms the Famine Review Committee (FRC) of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). This includes the Zamzam camp south of El Fasher, with an estimated population of at least 500,000.
- Famine conditions (IPC Phase 5) are declared when at least one in five households suffer from such extreme lack of food that they face starvation, resulting in critical levels of acute malnutrition and death.
- The famine in areas of North Darfur was confirmed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which warned that famine is potentially ongoing in 14 other areas within the country.
- Heavy rains have caused flooding in the Zamzam camp which houses displaced people close to El Fasher, North Darfur. The flooding has likely caused contamination of the water supplies with animal and human faecal matter.
- Sudanese military sources state that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have regained control of large areas west of Omdurman. This includes the Mansoura, Hamad Al-Nil and Al-Nakhil neighbourhoods and parts of the Abu Saad area.
- 23 civilians were reportedly killed and 60 others were injured during Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelling of areas of El Fasher on Saturday.
- The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Mini Minnawi criticised the US for only inviting RSF and SAF to the negotiations planned on 14 August in Switzerland. It states that all groups involved in the conflict should participate.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 5 August)
- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed states that negotiations are ongoing with armed groups in the Amhara region. The PM did not reveal which armed groups were participating.
- A spokesperson for one of the Fano militia groups denies that there are any formal negotiations between Fano and the Ethiopian government.
- Leaders of Fano criticised the World Bank and International Monetary Fund decision to financially support the government of Ethiopia. The leaders state the decision is premature, as Ethiopian PM Abiy is “actively committing gross violations of internationally recognised human rights”.
- There is a significant increase in security incidents, including abductions, killings, and sexual gender-based violence, in the Amhara region, reports the Ethiopian Health Cluster. Bahir Dar authorities have responded by imposing additional movement restrictions, particularly in the evening.
- Health centres in Amhara are also impacted by the violence, with damage making some of them inoperable.
- Kidnapping for ransom continues, with the road between Addis Ababa and Debark in the Amhara region being one of the most dangerous. Buses of passengers are being targeted, with families told that they will not see their loved ones again unless they pay up to 1 million Ethiopian birr.
Situation in Eritrea (per 5 August)
- Students from the Central Zone in Eritrea who were delayed in their education went down to the training camp of Sawa in the 37th round of national service. The 4,612 students, 59 percent of whom are women, came from 15 schools.
- Grade 11 students from South Red Sea, Gash-Barka, South, North Red Sea and Anseba regions went to Sawa earlier already.
Situation in Somalia (per 5 August)
- At least 37 people were killed and 70 were wounded in a suicide bombing attack on Lido Beach in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Friday evening. 11 of the wounded are in critical condition. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.
- The attack started with the detonation of a bomb, after which armed gunmen stormed the popular beach, which is frequented by government officials and business people among others. The five gunmen were killed by security forces, and the suicide bomber died in the explosion.
Situation in South Sudan (per 5 August)
- One person was killed and another was wounded in a drive-by shooting which targeted pedestrians in South Sudan’s capital of Juba on Saturday afternoon. The motive for the shooting is unclear.
- Nighttime shootings have increased in Juba recently, which the authorities are attributing to gangs.
- Conditions for 720,000 returnees and Sudanese refugees fleeing the Sudan conflict are set to worsen during the current lean season, warns the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Food stocks are severely depleted and local market prices for food have soared.
- By the end of the year, over 7 million people are expected to experience hunger and 79,000 people are expected to experience extreme starvation, unless there is a significant increase in support to South Sudan, IRC states.
International Situation (per 5 August)
- A senior Turkish government official admitted that Turkey authorised the Ethiopian government to use Turkish-made drones. The drones have been involved in attacks against civilians in Ethiopia.
- The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called for action in relation to the confirmation of famine conditions in parts of North Darfur. It states that urgent, concerted actions are needed to prevent an even greater catastrophe.
- FAO warns that there is an increasing risk of famine in other settlements and conflict-affected areas, especially in Darfur, South Kordofan, Khartoum and Al Jazirah.
- International agencies have warned that climate models have predicted a transition to La Nina conditions during the second half of 2024, which could bring below-average rainfall in the Horn of Africa.
- The greatest impacts are expected in central and southern Somalia, southern Ethiopia, and the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya.
Links of interest
Famine in Sudan: IPC Famine Review Committee Confirms Famine Conditions in parts of North Darfur
UNDP Administrator confirms famine in Sudan, calls for urgent action
Flooding at famine-struck camp in Sudan
Sudan army gains control of areas in Omdurman
SLM-MM demands participation in U.S.-led Geneva talks
Ethiopia PM says talks underway with armed groups; one group denies any discussion
IMF, W/Bank’s funding genocidal regime – Ethiopian rebels
Ethiopia Health Cluster Bulletin (July 2024)
Ethiopia is in the midst of a kidnapping epidemic
Death toll from suicide bombing at Somalia beach rises to 37
1 killed, 1 hurt in drive-by shooting in Juba
South Sudan: IRC warns already alarming levels of hunger
Türkiye admits to allowing Ethiopia use of drones involved in mass civilian casualties
UN agency calls for urgent action as famine conditions confirmed in parts of Sudan’s Darfur
Global bodies issue drought alert in Horn of Africa
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.