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 Ethiopia (per 10 October)
- Fighting between Fano militia and Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) in the Amhara region around the Gojjam and Gondar areas. Heavy fighting took place last week in Gojjam.
- Travel in Amhara has been locked down. Humanitarian transport to the region has been blocked completely.
- Fano militia promised to open the roads back up yesterday but there has not yet been an indication whether this promise was followed through.
- ENDF commander Birhanu Jula has held long speeches in Ethiopian media in which he has expressed himself aggressively particularly against Amharans.
- Observers estimate that over 10.000 people may have been arrested so far during mass arrests in the Amhara region. The people arrested are taken to military camps, and are not allowed to be in touch with their relatives.
- The UN is considering suspension of aid operations in Amhara due to the deaths of humanitarian workers, according to an internal document seen by Reuters. 4 NGO staff were killed last week.
- Former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie has been chosen as Ethiopia’s new President. Former President Sahle-Work Zewde has stepped down. She posted a short message on X implied that she was unhappy over staying silent.
- An earthquake of 4.9 magnitude occurred in the Awash area of Ethiopia on Sunday. This is the 5th earthquake in 2 weeks, and this makes 20 earthquakes so far in 2024, double the number of last year.
Situation in Sudan (per 10 October)
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the town of Wad Banda in central Kordofan on Tuesday. RSF has launched assaults in three areas in Kordofan.
- Sudanese Armed Forces are on the offensive in Khartoum, Sennar State and several parts of Darfur.
- Bombing of El Fasher by RSF has caused the deaths of at least 20 civilians since the beginning of the week. RSF targeted a mosque and a market in the displacement camp Abu Chouk, leading to 18 deaths there alone.
- SAF conducted airstrikes against RSF positions in Khartoum on Wednesday. Both sides are reportedly amassing troops in North Khartoum.
- SAF also states it has retaken the town of Jawira in Blue Nile state.
- 12.9 million people have been forced to flee their homes in Sudan, 10.8 million of whom have been internally displaced, and 2.2 million of whom have fled to other countries, states the UN Refugee Agency.
Regional Situation (per 10 October)
- Eritrea closed down telecommunications between Eritrea and Ethiopia, leaving people on either side unable to contact their family members amidst complications caused by the suspension of flights between Eritrea and Ethiopia last month.
- Kenya Airways suspended flights to Somalia, stating the reason as ‘operational challenges’.
- The National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) Kenya, a political party, compared the impeachment process against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to mob justice, stating that he deserves due process. Gachagua is accused of ethnically divisive politics and undermining the Kenyan government.
International Situation (per 10 October)
- Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi travelled to Eritrea today to speak with Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki, on invitation of Eritrea. Discussions will cover security and stability in the Horn of Africa.
- Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is also visiting Eritrea for a three-day visit at the invitation of Isaias. He and his delegation arrived yesterday. This implies a possible trilateral meeting.
- The Egyptian foreign ministry denied accusations by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), leader of the RSF, who stated that Egypt is involved in the conflict in Sudan.
- The UN Human Rights Council extended the independent fact finding mission on Sudan for one year.
- The European Parliament debated the situation in Sudan on Tuesday, calling for urgent action in the face of unprecedented violence and displacement.
- The US sanctioned Hemedti’s brother and senior RSF leader for leading the effort to supply weapons.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 10 October)
- The conflict in Sudan is fuelling new mass refugee movements and dynamics in human smuggling in Sudan, states a new report from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
- Members of the European Parliament held a debate with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán on Wednesday, in the context of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU. Urbán stated that external hotspots are necessary to protect the EU “from illegal migration”.
- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Cyprus has committed four violations of the European Convention on Human Rights in returning two asylum seekers to Lebanon.
- The two Syrian refugees were part of a group of 24 people trying to enter Cyprus in September 2020, but were forced on a boat which returned them to Lebanon.
- Austria and The Netherlands are leading a group of 17 European countries calling for the EU to speed up the return of irregular migrants.
- Germany urges EU member states to implement the EU migration pact as soon as possible, as France’s new government has vowed to take a tougher stance on migration.
- The UN calls for safe and regular migration routes within the Gulf, stating that the routes from the Horn of Africa to the Gulf is the most dangerous route globally. This comes after at least 48 people died on 1 October after smugglers had forced them off two boats off the coast of Djibouti.
Links of interest
Ethiopia: Fighting escalates in Amhara, with no end in sight
UN considers suspending relief to Ethiopia’s Amhara
Ethiopia chooses Taye Atske Selassie as new president
4.9 magnitude earthquake hit Ethiopia, shocks felt in the capital
Rapid Support Forces capture Wad Banda in West Kordofan
Soudan: de nouvelles victimes civiles dans les bombardements des paramilitaires des FSR à al-Facher
UNHCR Sudan Operational Update, July-August 2024
Kenya Airways suspends passenger flights to Somalia
Gachagua impeachment: Karua criticises ‘lynch mob’ in Parliament, calls for fair trial in Senate
Sisi travels to Eritrea to enhance bilateral ties, discuss Red Sea, HoA security
Somalia, Egypt Leaders Visit Eritrea Amid Regional Tensions
Egypt denies being involved in Sudan conflict
UN Human Rights Council 57: Resolution on Sudan
Verbatim report of proceedings – Situation in Sudan (debate) – Tuesday, 8 October 2024
US sanctions a leader of Sudan’s paramilitary group for fueling a brutal war
Human smuggling and trafficking in North Africa and the Sahel
MEPs debate Hungary’s Presidency programme with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
ECHR condemns Cyprus for returning Syria refugees to Lebanon
NETHERLANDS: Netherlands leads group of countries calling for EU to speed up migrant returns
Germany urges EU to introduce fast-track asylum procedures earlier
UN calls for safer migration from Horn of Africa to Gulf countries
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.