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Situation in Tigray (per 19 September)
- The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has expelled 16 high-ranking members prohibiting them from representing and carrying out any work on behalf of the TPLF. This decision, which comes amid internal division of the party, was announced after a Central Committee meeting was held on Sunday.
- The list of expelled members include among others Getachew Reda, former deputy chair of TPLF and current head of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (IRA), and Prof. Kindeya Gebrehiwot, former president of Mekelle University.
- Former leadership of the party has also been suspected of “improper use of authority and corruption”, said the TPLF statement, calling on justice and security authorities to perform a thorough investigation.
- In a response statement, the faction of TPLF led by Getachew Reda accused the group led by Debretsion of “plotting a coup” against the IRA and violating law and order in the region.
- ‘“The people and members of the party must unite against this destructive faction that, in its pursuit of power, has repeatedly brought disaster to the region,” according to the statement.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 19 September)
- Intense fighting between Ethiopian government forces and Fano militia led to numerous civilian and military casualties in Central and North Gondar, Amhara region, and surrounding areas. The clashes broke out in the early morning hours on 17 September, according to witnesses.
- A deadly attack in Oromia’s East Wollega Zone resulted in the killing of a local administrator and a ruling Prosperity Party official, while another person has been injured and is treated in the hospital. The attack which took place on 14 September was reportedly carried out by Fano militia, according to residents.
- The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) condemned the Ethiopian government’s recent actions undermining the rights and dignity of people in the Somali region. ONLF attributes such practices to the escalation of relations between Ethiopia and Somalia.
- According to the statement issued by ONLF, “Somali elders, women, and other community members have been paraded on television, coerced into humiliating themselves by denying their Somali identity”, adding that the state has become more militarised over the recent period.
Situation in Sudan (per 19 September)
- Evacuation of the remaining residents of Khartoum Bahri’s Al-Mazad South neighbourhood was ordered by a local committee due to ongoing indiscriminate shelling and increased spread of diseases.
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported a severe water, sanitation, and hygiene crisis in Abyei, the border area between Sudan and South Sudan, contributing to spreading Hepatitis E virus. The situation worsened due to the influx of displaced persons to the area, further worsening sanitary conditions.
International Situation (per 19 September)
- A pro-forma hearing in the case of the alleged Eritrean human trafficker known as Walid took place on Wednesday in Zwolle, the Netherlands. The suspect was physically present during the hearing and continued to claim that his identity as Walid is mistaken.
- The Dutch public prosecutor confirmed that they have made contact with authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding another suspected human trafficker – Kidane.
- UAE authorities have indicated that they positively consider the extradition of Kidane to the Netherlands. If this is confirmed, Kidane could be tried alongside Walid in the Netherlands in 2025. Kidane was convicted to 2 years and 8 months in prison in the UAE for the crime of money laundering.
- The content hearing in Walid’s case is scheduled for March 2025 before which 9 witnesses, including Kidane, are to be questioned on request of the defence. If Kidane and Walid will be tried together, the process could be delayed.
- The next pro-forma hearing is scheduled for 10 December 2024 at 09:00am in Zwolle.
- The third round of talks between Ethiopia and Somalia which was to take place in Ankara, Turkey, has been postponed as the meeting reportedly coincided with the UN General Assembly (UN GA). The new date has not been revealed yet but the meeting is expected to be scheduled after the UN GA.
- Joyce Msuya, Acting UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, warned the UN Security Council that the crisis in Sudan is worsening, with millions in urgent need of assistance, adding that the time to act is now.
- In a joint press conference, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called on warring parties in Sudan to immediately cease fighting and secure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
- The UN is ready to support South Sudan throughout its transitional process, said Nicholas Haysom, head of the UN Mission in South Sudan. Haysom, however, added that “Transitional Government and the South Sudanese political class must take responsibility for the failures of the past two years”.
- Getachew Reda, head of Tigray IRA, urged for faster return of internally displaced persons from the western part of Tigray region to their home. The call came during the meeting of Tigray IRA with Alexis Lamek, French Ambassador to Ethiopia, in Mekelle.
- Getachew Reda further emphasised that the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration process should be addressed hand in hand with the security situation on the ground as per the Cessation of Hostilities agreement (CoH).
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 19 September)
- Tigray refugees currently hosted in Tenedba refugee camp in Sudan held a peaceful protest calling on authorities to improve their condition and meet their needs. The refugees further urged the Ethiopian and regional government for the CoH agreement to be implemented in full terms.
- The Netherlands announced to introduce new stricter anti-immigration measures which will include more rigorous border checks, as well as restrictions on family reunification making it more difficult for adult children to be reunited with their parents.
- The Dutch government announced to apply for an opt-out clause on the EU asylum and migration policy that was adopted earlier this year in its attempt to curb irregular migration.
Links of interest
Facebook: Tigray People’s Liberation Front/TPLF/
News: Getachew Reda’s faction accuses Debretsion-led group of ‘coup plot’ against Tigray interim admin
News: Heavy fighting in Gondar and surrounding areas results in fatalities, civilian casualties
News: Deadly attack in Oromia’s East Wollega Zone claims lives of local administrator, party official
X: ONLF Press Release regarding the worsening situation in the #SomaliState (Ogaden).
Residents to evacuate Khartoum Bahri neighbourhood amid heavy shelling
MSF: Water, sanitation, hygiene crisis fuelling Abyei Hep-E outbreak
UAE authorities positive towards extradition of human trafficking suspect Kidane, amid ongoing legal proceedings against Walid
በኢትዮጵያ እና በሶማሊያ መካከል ሊካሄድ የነበረው ሶስተኛው ዙር ውይይት ለሌላ ጊዜ ተላለፈ
As Sudan crisis deepens, acting UN relief chief tells Security Council “it is time to act”
U.S., Egypt urge Sudan ceasefire amid worsening humanitarian crisis
UN ready to support transition process in South Sudan: Haysom
President Getachew Reda Presses for IDPs Repatriation as #French Ambassador Visits Mekelle to Assesses Peace Progress
Tigrayan Refugees Call for Implementation of Pretoria Agreement
Dutch government announces ‘strictest asylum policy ever’
Dutch government to ask opt-out clause from EU asylum rules ‘as soon as possible’
Germany border closures: What this means for refugees and asylum seekers
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.