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Situation in Sudan (per 15 August)
- The first day of Sudanese peace talks in Switzerland concluded on Wednesday. Neither the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were represented, despite the RSF confirming their participation prior to the talks, and going to Switzerland.
- The supporting party United States indicated that they will continue the talks despite the absence.
- Diplomats from the United Nations, African Union, as well as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates were present at the talks.
- At least 75 people have been killed by floods in Sudan, states the UN OCHA. Over 30,000 people have been displaced.
- Darfur has been hit hardest by the floods, with most people displaced in North Darfur. Water is destroying essential infrastructure and houses, making it even harder for people to receive aid and medical care.
- At least 15 people have been killed and 130 injured in El Fasher, North Darfur, since Saturday, states Médecins sans Frontières (MSF). Fighting has intensified, and is expected to further escalate over the next few days.
- The Saudi hospital was hit for the 11th time, damaging the surgical and maternity wards, killing the carer of a patient and injuring 5 others. The facility, which is the last working hospital in the city, is now only partially functioning.
- Sudan’s Sovereign Council indicates that it will open the Adre border crossing with Chad for three months in order to allow the crossing of aid.
- The SPLM-N group which controls Nuba Mountains and parts of Blue Nile state said 20% of families are suffering severe food shortages, and declared famine in the Arabic version of the statement.
Situation in South Sudan (per 15 August)
- The South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) and the Sudanese government met for the first time in months in Rome between 12 and 14 August in the context of the Tumaini initiative, which seeks to resolve the conflict in South Sudan.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 15 August)
- A statement by the Ethiopian ministry of foreign affairs thanked Turkey for hosting the talks between Somalia and Ethiopia in relation to the tension over Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland for sea access.
- The statement emphasises Ethiopia’s “legitimate interests and the peaceful manner in which it seeks to secure dependable access to and from the sea”.
- It also states Ethiopia looks forward to “a more fruitful upcoming third round of talks with Somalia,” set for 17 September.
- Meanwhile, Somaliland criticised the mediation efforts of Turkey and stated that it will go ahead with its plans to lease out a part of its land to Ethiopia for sea access.
- An Ethiopian aid worker who was kidnapped for ransom by an unidentified group in Dawunt Woreda of the North Wello Zone in Amhara has been killed, states the UN.
- Yared Melese was kidnapped on 22 July and his death was confirmed on 9 August. He is the 8th aid worker to be killed this year in Ethiopia.
Situation in Tigray (per 15 August)
- The National Steering Committee set up to address the dispute between Tigray and Amhara announced that it intends to hold elections in local administrations in the western and southern areas of Tigray.
- This announcement follows what the committee calls significant progress in the repatriation of displaced persons to the Raya and Tselemti areas.
- The committee states the elections for local administration will be held under coordination of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), with assistance by leaders appointed by the Ethiopian government, and with full participation of the people.
International Situation (per 15 August)
- UN’s South Sudan Envoy Nicholas Haysom warns that “a perfect storm is gathering in South Sudan, as regards its humanitarian and economic outlook”. This is caused by food insecurity, rapid deterioration of the economy, internal political instability and the spillover of the conflict in Sudan.
- Haysom urged the South Sudanese government to prioritise payment of public sector salaries and the delivery of social protection and basic services.
- The ongoing tensions and consultations between political stakeholders in relation to the elections make it difficult to treat 22 December as the definitive date for South Sudanese elections, states Haysom.
- UN OCHA warns “that Mid-year projections by our food security experts suggested that flooding combined with conflict could result in pockets of famine between June 2024 and January 2025”.
- Floods could affect up to 3.3 million people by the peak of the flood season, between September and October.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 15 August)
- Hundreds of Eritreans protested in The Hague, The Netherlands, on Monday against the influence of the long arm of the Eritrean regime.
- Almost 100,000 Sudanese refugees that have fled to Libya are in a dire situation amidst escalating humanitarian needs, states the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
- The UN Refugee Agency published a briefing to help municipalities in the reception of refugees and integration and inclusion strategies.
- The German minister of interior announced that it intends to extend border controls along the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland, aimed at stopping irregular migration. The original deadline is 15 December 2024.
Links of interest
First day of Sudan peace talks concludes with army absent
Floods: people and areas affected
Torrential rains in Sudan’s Darfur worsens ‘one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises’
Sudan: Last hospital in El Fasher risks closure during intensive bombardment of the city
Sudan to open Adre border crossing for three months to facilitate aid
Sudan’s SPLM-N rebel group declares famine in its territory
South Sudan Govt, SSOMA hold first meeting in months, agree on political dialogue
Somaliland Rebuffs Turkey’s Bid to End Somalia-Ethiopia Rift
UN says abducted Ethiopian aid worker killed
News: Steering committee pushes for local elections following ‘successful’ IDP repatriation in Western and Southern Tigray
Statement by Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, to the Security Council (14 Aug 2024)
Honderden Eritreeërs demonstreren in Den Haag tijdens zitting rellen
Libya: IRC launches emergency response for nearly 100,000 Sudanese refugees
New UNHCR publication for municipalities across Europe seeks to galvanise existing efforts on refugee inclusion and integration
Germany Minister of Interior announces intention to extend border controls
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.