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Situation in Sudan (per 30 September)
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) reportedly took control over Halfaya Bridge connecting Khartoum Bahri with Kadroo area, reuniting two SAF infantries. The east area of the Halfaya Bridge has been under the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) control for more than a year.
- Seizing Halfaya Bridge comes after the SAF launched a large-scale offensive against RSF last week, launching airstrikes and ground operations across several strategic areas of Khartoum.
- Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of SAF, reportedly arrived in Omdurman on Saturday amid SAF deployment in Khartoum Bahri, encouraging the troops in fighting the RSF.
- Fierce fighting continued also in El Fasher, North Darfur, where 19 people were reportedly killed by RSF’s artillery shelling on Friday. The Darfur Joint Force, fighting against the RSF, claimed it is pushing back the opposing side and stated it carried out a successful operation within El Fasher.
- Sudan’s conflict has a “catastrophic” effect on women and girls, according to UN Women, with rising reports of conflict-related sexual violence and abuse with survivors ranginging between 8 and 75 years. Men and boys are also victims of sexual violence although in smaller numbers.
- 6.7 million people were in danger of gender-based violence (GBV) prior to September 2024 with numbers expected to be much higher today amid increased fighting reported across Sudan’s states.
- Over 3,000 children are reported to have been killed by RSF since the outbreak of the Sudan conflict, stated Sudan’s National Council for Child Welfare.
- 15,577 cases of cholera have been detected in Sudan, with 506 deaths registered since August, stated the Ministry of Health. Efforts to combat the outbreak are limited and hampered by disruption in health care services, depleted resources and lack of medical staff.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 30 September)
- Three civilians were reportedly killed by government forces in West Wollega Zone, Oromia, according to family members of the deceased. One man was shot while returning from the market on 22 September, dying after being received in the health facility.
- Other two victims were first detained by Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) after being suspected of ties with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). Family members found the bodies of the two men near the road and river respectively, on 25 September.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a staff-level agreement with Ethiopia on the first review of the country’s economic program supported by the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF), confirmed the IMF representative Alvaro Piris after the visit to Addis Ababa between 17 and 26 September.
- Once this agreement is approved by the IMF’s management and Executive Board, Ethiopia will access approximately $345 million out of a total $3.4 billion four-year ECF programme which was approved by the IMF in July.
- Ethiopia aims to ramp up efforts in harnessing mineral resources with an indication that three gold mining factories that are under construction will become operational within the coming 18 months, confirmed the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines.
- New gold mining factories, located in Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Gambella regions, aim to increase production by an additional 10 tons every year.
Regional Situation (per 30 September)
- In two separate incidents, bomb explosions in Somalia claimed at least 6 lives and injured 10 on Saturday. It is not clear yet who is responsible for these attacks.
- One explosion occurred near the National Theatre in Mogadishu where a vehicle exploded. The second incident occurred in Jowhar city where a bomb went off in a livestock market.
- Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland needs to be renounced before Somalia and Ethiopia can enter into any formal engagement, said Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- “We are still giving Ethiopia a chance to walk back from this reckless agreement”, said Fiqi adding that if Ethiopia nullifies the MoU and restores “the status quo before January 1st, there’s room to talk”.
- Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre doubled down on Somalia’s position on the MoU during his speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), stating that ”Ethiopia’s aggressive maneuvers […] undermines Somali sovereignty”.
- In a response, Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taye Atske-Selassie, rejected the position of Somalia during his speech at the UNGA, stating that the agreement aims to promote “shared growth and prosperity in the region”.
- “There is no reason for the Federal Government of Somalia to incite hostility that obviously intends to cover internal political tensions”, Taye added.
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) suspended its outreach movements and activities in areas outside Yei and Morobo, in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan, due to an attack on health workers. MSF vehicles were attacked on Friday while returning from field activity.
- Two MSF staff members were taken by unknown armed men. Though the staff members were safely released 24 hours later, MSF suspended its activities until the security situation is more stable.
International Situation (per 30 September)
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) states that the house of the UAE ambassador in Khartoum was attacked by Sudanese military aircraft, causing extensive damage to the house, calling it a “heinous attack”.
- The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign affairs dismissed the accusation by the UAE stating that the attack was carried out by the RSF instead.
- The SAF has previously accused the UAE of supporting and aiding the RSF, which was denied by the UAE.
Links of interest
Sudan army seizes Halfaya Bridge, breaks Kadroo siege
Sudan army enters North Khartoum, Darfur Joint Force combs North Darfur capital
Sudan war: Battles for Khartoum and El Fasher continue, clashes in El Gedaref
Women and girls in Sudan disproportionately impacted by ongoing conflict
Gender alert: Women and girls of Sudan: Fortitude amid the flame of war
Over 3,000 children killed by RSF in Sudan conflict – government body
Sudan cholera cases top 15,500 amid war and floods
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on the First Review of the Extended Credit Facility for Ethiopia
Gold mining sector set to generate 800 mln USD
At least 6 killed in bomb blasts in Somalia
Somalia Demands Ethiopia Cancel Somaliland Deal as Precondition for Talks
Somalia’s PM to Ethiopia: Somalia has ‘rights to defend its territorial integrity’
Ethiopia defends MoU with Somaliland
Sudan’s army rejects UAE’s accusation it attacked ambassador’s residence
UAE says residence of its ambassador in Khartoum attacked by Sudanese military
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.