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 28 October)
- At least 124 people have been killed in a wave of killings of civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Al Jazirah state. The killings appear to be retribution for the defection of Abu Aqla Kayka, former RSF commander in Al Jazirah.
- 37 rapes were reported in the town of Rufaa in Al Jazirah state in the last week, which is likely to be just a small portion of the real number. The rapes were reported as RSF attacked civilians in Al Jazirah.
- The escalation of the war is fuelling ethnically charged rhetoric, warns the Advocacy Group for Peace in Sudan (AGPS) in a statement. It calls for decisive intervention in relation to increasing tribal mobilisation.
- Retribution attacks, such as RSF’s attacks on civilians in Al Jazirah, could lead to a cycle of violence and massacres across Al Jazirah, the Nile River and Northern states, as well as in Darfur, Kordofan, and Eastern Sudan, AGPS warns.
- Lawyer and human rights defender Izdihar Jumaa Saeed was abducted and tortured by unidentified armed men in Northern State, says the Sudanese Bar Association.
- Izdihar was seized in Merowe on 24 October, was beaten, and then abandoned. The Sudanese Bar Association expressed alarm at the increasing incidents of targeting of human rights defenders.
- Five RSF advisors announced their defection on Saturday, stating that RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (Hemedti) caused the current conflict by attempting to seize control of Sudan’s Red Sea coast.
- According to one advisor, Hemedti planned to build three ports, 16 military camps and three airports as part of a network along the coastline, which was opposed by the Sudanese army.
Situation in South Sudan (per 28 October)
- The South Sudanese Ministry of Health has declared a cholera outbreak in Renk, Upper Nile State. 49 cholera cases have been reported among refugees, returnees, and local communities.
- The cholera outbreak is likely related to the poor conditions faced by refugees and returnees, such as overcrowding and poor sanitation.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 28 October)
- At least 12 civilians reportedly died in a series of drone attacks on Friday and Saturday in Showa and Gojjam, Amhara region. The victims are reported to include children and elderly.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is confidentiality discussing prisoner exchanges and humanitarian concerns with both parties in the conflict in Amhara, ICRC states.
- The ICRC is playing the role of neutral intermediary.
- The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) calls on Ethiopian officials to stop the forced disappearances, particularly across Oromia and Amhara, which have been increasing.
- The EHRC describes a trend in which persons are taken from their home by unidentified personnel wearing police uniforms, and are held from one to nine months, without legal proceedings.
- Detainees faced harsh conditions, including restricted contact with families and lack of food and water. In some cases, families negotiated for the release of loved ones with hundreds of thousands of birr.
Situation in Eritrea (per 28 October)
- 64 Jehova’s Witnesses are currently in prison in Eritrea and are being held without charges, according to the Jehova’s Witnesses website. Citizenship of all of Jehovah’s Witnesses was revoked in 1994 over their refusal to join the national service or engage in political activities.
- The release of some Jehova’s Witnesses between December 2020 and February 2021 appeared to signal improvements, but the arrests and detentions have continued since. 25 Jehova’s witnesses, including three people over 80 years, a pregnant woman and 2 children, were arrested in September 2024.
- Egyptian cement company Riga will establish a branch in Asmara, Eritrea. They have also signed a contract for technical support to a client in the mining field in Eritrea.
Situation in Somalia (per 28 October)
- ACLED recorded 226 political violence events and 393 reported fatalities in Somalia from 21 September to 18 October. Most violence took place in the Lower Shabelle region with a high level of attacks by Al-Shabaab.
- Controversy over electoral reform, with the proposal of a one-year term extension for all state presidents until the universal suffrage system is introduced, caused controversy in Somalia in October, ACLED noted.
- Elections in Somaliland are set to take place on 13 November. Clan elders have pledged their support for the opposition party Waddani, led by Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi (Irro).
Regional Situation (per 28 October)
- Eritrea’s Civil Aviation Authority has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Ethiopian airlines, seeking $3 million in compensation for lost luggage, and another $570,000 claim for unpaid services to Ethiopian airlines 25 years ago, Eritrean media report.
- A bill which proposes to extend the term limits for the president, county governors and MPs from five to seven years has caused controversy in Kenya. Critics note that the bill risks eroding the democracy and concentrating power.
International Situation (per 28 October)
- The UN Security Council is holding an open briefing followed by close consultations today about the situation in Sudan. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is addressing the meeting.
- The meeting will likely address the increasing targeting of civilians in the conflict.
- The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan stated she is “shocked and deeply appalled” in relation to the attacks of the RSF in Al Jazirah State. She called for an immediate stop to the targeting of civilians, public infrastructure and civilian objects.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns that the conflict in Sudan will likely cause heavy economic damage to neighbouring countries, due to influx of refugees, security issues and trade issues.
Links of interest
New wave of mass killings in Sudan alarms UN
37 rapes reported in Sudan’s Rufaa amid RSF rampage
Sudan activists: El Gezira violence ‘likely to ignite catastrophic tribal alignment’
Lawyer abducted, tortured in Sudan’s Northern state
South Sudan declares cholera outbreak in Renk, Upper Nile State
Ethiopia : 18 civilians killed in latest drone attack in Amhara region
Commission appeals against rising abduction incidents in Amhara and Oromia
October 2024 Marks Thirty Years of Intense Persecution for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Eritrea
Controversy over electoral reform sparks debate in Somalia amid al-Shabaab operation
ATMIS transition in Somalia could stall due to funding shortages, rising Ethiopia tensions
Eritrea files lawsuit against Ethiopian Airlines
ODM urges Senate to reject bill that seeks term limits extension
Sudan: Briefing and Consultations
Statement by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, on the attacks in Aj Jazirah State [EN/AR]
IMF raises concerns about effects of Sudan conflict on neighbors
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.