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Situation in Sudan (per 2 September)
- Flooding is increasing the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Sudan. Last week, flooding caused a dam break in the Red Sea state, which destroyed villages and houses downstream, causing at least 60 deaths. Others are still missing.
- The collapse of the Arba’at dam affected around 50,000 people, estimates the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).
- The dam provided the main water source for Port Sudan, which now faces a shortage of water, warns the Sudanese Environmentalists Association. UN OCHA warns that the damage to the dam and the water pipelines means the fresh water situation in Port Sudan will be impacted for months to come.
- Floods caused by exceptionally heavy rain have displaced around 136,000 people across 14 states, around half of whom were already displaced.
- Essential infrastructure, including bridges, has been damaged due to flooding, hampering aid efforts, particularly into Darfur.
- Collapses of bridges along the El Geneina-Zalingei road has separated West Darfur from the other Darfur regions, so that delivery of aid via the recently reopened Adre crossing from Chad is no longer possible. Commercial movement of goods has also been affected.
- Heavy rainfall has damaged communications infrastructure in Sudan, causing blackouts in various locations.
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted areas in Omdurman for bombardment with heavy artillery on Friday, targeting northern Omdurman. Returning fire from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) targeted RSF positions in western and southern Omdurman, Khartoum and Khartoum Bahri.
- Fierce fighting is ongoing between RSF and SAF in the Sennar and Gedaref states. SAF remains in control of the city of Sennar.
- A volunteer of the Sudanese Red Crescent has died as a result of the conflict in Eldein in East Darfur state.
Situation in South Sudan (per 2 September)
- South Sudanese officials declared that oil production flowing through Sudan will be halted completely until the conflict is resolved. A team has been sent to shut down the pipeline.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 2 September)
- Fano militia have reportedly seized the town of Metema in the Amhara region which lies at the Ethiopian border with Sudan. Sudanese officials closed the Gallabat border crossing near Metema in response.
- Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) stationed at the border were allowed into Sudan after being disarmed, military sources told the Sudan Tribune; in exchange, Sudanese persons stranded inside Ethiopia were allowed to leave by the Fano militia.
- The UN Refugee Agency has opened a new campsite in the Amhara region after the Kumer and Awlala camps were closed due to security concerns.
- The new Aftit camp has already received around 3,000 Sudanese refugees. It is designed to accommodate around 12,500 people in total.
- UNHCR states that the security measures have been tightened in collaboration with the authorities and host community.
Situation in Eritrea (per 2 September)
- Berhane Abrehe, who was Eritrean Minister of Finance from 2001 to 2012, has died in prison. He was arrested in 2018 after calling Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki a dictator and calling for him to step down.
- Berhane was held without charges and without being allowed to see his family for six years.
Situation in the region (per 2 September)
- Egypt sent arms, military hardware and around 300 special forces to Somalia as part of a military cooperation agreement.
- Ethiopia responded in anger at the military cooperation. In a press statement, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: “Instead of pursuing […] efforts for peace, the Government of Somalia is colluding with external actors aiming to destabilize the region.”
- Egypt’s ambassador to Somalia stated that the transfer is the first practical step in the wider implementation of the military agreement, of which the details have not been made public.
International Situation (per 2 September)
- The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan should investigate the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for summarily executing, torturing, and ill-treating people in their custody, and mutilating dead bodies, states Human Rights Watch (HRW).
- HRW analysed videos of incidents posted on social media, which shows crimes committed against detainees, which should be investigated as war crimes, according to HRW.
- Many of the abusers and victims are wearing military uniforms, suggesting they are fighters.
- The United States has formally proposed for the UN Security Council to implement sanctions, consisting of travel bans and asset freezes for RSF head of operations Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed and RSF West Darfur Commander Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla.
- The US has imposed sanctions on South Sudanese government officials for obstructing aid by taxing aid shipments. The sanctions are visa restrictions, making those targeted ineligible for entering the US.
- A US spokesperson questioned the South Sudanese authorities’ commitment to the 2018 peace agreement commitment to create an enabling environment for aid.
- Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki has travelled to Beijing, China, for the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which is held from 4 to 6 September.
Links of interest
Dam bursts in war-torn Sudan killing 60
Floods, Dam Collapse Intensify Suffering in Sudan 500 Days into the War
Port Sudan faces water crisis after deadly dam collapse
Sudan: Collapse of Arba’at Dam in Port Sudan, Red Sea State Flash Update No. 02 (29 August 2024) [EN/AR]
Darfur and Sudan aid distribution hampered as bridges succumb to floods
Sudan’s War Escalates: RSF shells Omdurman, battles rage in Sennar, Gedaref
IFRC saddened by yet another killing of Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer in East Darfur State, Sudan
South Sudan to halt oil production due to Sudan war
السودان يغلق معبر القلابات بعد سيطرة متمردون على الجانب الإثيوبي ولجوء جنود للقضارف
News: UNHCR, Ethiopia unveil new refugee site in Amhara amid escalating security concerns
Former finance minister who called Eritrea leader ‘dictator’ dies in prison
Ethiopia alarmed as Egypt sends special forces and arms to Somalia
Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Facebook
Sudan: Warring Parties Execute Detainees, Mutilate Bodies
U.N. mulls first Sudan sanctions over current war, targeting two RSF generals
US imposes visa restrictions on South Sudanese officials for taxing aid shipments
Eritrean president arrives in Beijing for 2024 FOCAC summit
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.