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 16 September)
- Fierce fighting broke out in El Fasher, North Darfur, on Thursday, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched another assault on the city, which was repelled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied forces.
- RSF launched the attack from the south and east, with videos appearing to show they reached far into the city before reportedly being stopped. Two RSF commanders were killed in the assault.
- Fighting broke out again on Saturday, with witnesses reporting bombardments in the southern and eastern parts of El Fasher.
- Looters have smuggled archeological artefacts out of Sudan and are selling them on Ebay. UNESCO warns that the looting represents an unprecedented threat to culture.
- Artefacts from the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum have been stolen, but the extent of the looting is impossible to determine as the museum is in RSF-controlled territory.
- Thousands of children will die in the Zamzam camp for displaced people unless urgent action is taken, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warns on the basis of a new nutrition screening.
- Around 10% of children screened were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition, while around 35% of children were suffering from global acute malnutrition, which progresses to the severe form if left untreated.
- Zamzam camp has received no significant aid since May, and food prices around El Fasher are three times higher than in the rest of Darfur. MSF is calling on the international community to consider all options to deliver aid quickly, including airdrops.
- Over 40 people were killed in a massacre in the village of Qoz al-Naqa by RSF forces last month, states the Abu Guta Resistance Committee. Residents are reportedly being refused entry and the bodies have not yet been buried.
Situation in South Sudan (per 16 September)
- The South Sudanese government has reached an agreement to delay the general elections to December 2026. The government states it needs more time for the preparations, including for writing a constitution and for solving logistical and security issues.
- The election delay also delays the transitional period agreed in the 2018 peace agreement by two years.
- The government held an emergency cabinet meeting following the announcement of the delay.
- Experts and civil society leaders accuse the government of using the election delay as a strategy to maintain power.
- Flooding has affected a total of 735,000 in South Sudan, states UN OCHA. 65,000 people have been displaced, of which most (41,000) are from Warrap State. This is worsening the already dire humanitarian situation.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 16 September)
- 945 fatalities were reported in Ethiopia in the context of violence, reports ACLED. Most of the violent events (141) and fatalities (637) were recorded in the Amhara region.
- Most of the violence took place in relation to the conflict between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and armed groups in Oromia and Amhara.
- 69 political violence events and 270 fatalities were reported in Oromia.
Situation in Somalia (per 16 September)
- The Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) condemns the ban that prevents journalists from reporting on the Somali Federal Parliament’s Lower House.
- Critics state that the ban was implemented to prevent media from reporting on opposition voices in the lower house in relation to the tensions with Ethiopia and Egypt.
Regional Situation (per 16 September)
- Somalia’s minister of foreign affairs stated in an interview that having contact with armed rebels in Ethiopia “is an option open to Somalia” if the Ethiopian government continues the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland.
- Head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, Abbas Kamel, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, travelled to Eritrea to meet with Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki on 14 September.
- The delegations agreed on the importance of preserving the unity and sovereignty of Somalia. In addition, both parties agreed on the importance of intensifying efforts to achieve stability in Sudan.
- Sudanese military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrived in Juba on Monday for bilateral talks with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir. One of the issues that will be discussed includes the extension of the elections in South Sudan and the consequences of this for the peace deal.
- Ethiopian airlines announced that it will add a daily flight to Port Sudan to its destinations starting from 15 October 2024.
International Situation (per 16 September)
- Ethiopia’s foreign minister requested the United States to let Ethiopia rejoin the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The request was made during talks with the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mike Hammer, on Saturday.
- In an earlier press conference, Hammer stated that Ethiopia could not rejoin AGOA as long as government forces are committing abuses and atrocities.
- Hammer was unable to visit Amhara and Oromia during his visit, due to the ongoing conflict in both regions.
- The United Kingdom appointed Richard Crowder as Head of British Office Sudan and UK Special Representative to Sudan.
Links of interest
RSF suffers losses in El Fasher offensive
Sudan: Fighting breaks out in el-Fasher following RSF attack
Sudan: “Thousands of children will die” unless the UN acts on Zamzam food crisis
Sudan War Updates on X
War-torn Sudan’s priceless treasures put up for sale on eBay
South Sudan postpones December election by two years
South Sudan delays presidential polls again, by 2 years
South Sudan: Emergency meeting after elections postponed
South Sudan: Flooding Situation Flash Update No. 3 (As of 12 September 2024)
Ethiopia: EPO Monthly Update | August 2024 – In Amhara, over 7 million people are exposed to political violence
SJS: The ban on media reporting on the Somalia Parliament is unacceptable and must be lifted immediately
Somalia ‘open’ to supporting Ethiopia rebels
Egypt, Eritrea pledge support for Somalia’s unity, Sudan’s stability
Sudan’s conflict: Burhan in Juba for bilateral talks
Ethiopian Airlines Expands African Network With Port Sudan Service
Ethiopia requests to rejoin US AGOA program
Appointment of the Head of British Office Sudan and UK Special Representative to Sudan
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.