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 11 November)
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are reportedly gaining ground in Khartoum Bahri, as they have advanced in the Samrab neighbourhood. The Rapid Support Forces (RFS) are still in control of the southern part of the Samrab neighbourhood.
- Airstrikes have reportedly killed dozens of civilians in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. SAF is accused of indiscriminately bombing residential areas in its fight against RSF.
- Sources report that there is significant damage from the airstrikes particularly in the Al-Rahman and Elmssani areas of Nyala.
- Lieutenant Colonel Mahmoud Al-Numan is accused of withdrawing troops without authorisation from the Al-Halfaya Bridge, which allowed RSF troops to enter Wad Madani on 18 December 2023, states a high-ranking Sudanese military source.
- The launching of a new 1,000 Sudanese pound banknote has sparked concerns among people in RSF-controlled areas, who fear that they will lose access to their savings, as banks have been looted and are non-operational in those areas.
- Existing 1,000 and 500-pound notes will be phased out, and citizens can bring these notes to the banks. However, people in RSF-controlled areas are not able to do so.
- Independent media in Sudan are increasingly targeted with cyber attacks by the warring parties in an effort to silence them, reports Sudan Media Forum. This is done with the aim to cover up their actions and push misinformation, independent media warn.
Situation in South Sudan (per 11 November)
- Floods in South Sudan caused water sources to become polluted with oil from mismanaged oil facilities, particularly in Unity State. The water is making people sick, and herders fear it is poisoning the cattle.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 11 November)
- Fighting in the Amhara region between Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) and Fano militia continues. Major conflict areas are southeast, around Gondar, and west of Bahir Dar. The number of casualties on both sides of the conflict, and the number of civilian deaths, is unclear.
- A series of drone strikes in the South Achefer district in North Gojjam, Amhara region, reportedly killed at least 50 people, including children and pregnant women, on 6 November, hitting a primary school, a market and a health centre.
- The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) confirmed it is looking into reports of the incident.
- Fighting is also occurring in Oromia, mainly in North Showa. According to rumours, groups besides the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) are also taking up arms, unrelated to political motives, but in order to continue instability which offers opportunities for kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Regional Situation (per 11 November)
- Ethiopia will not participate in the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), starting in January 2025, Somalia Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur stated on Saturday.
- Nur accused Ethiopia of violating Somalia’s sovereignty and national unity, in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland.
- Chad denies the allegation by SAF that it is providing support to the RSF, stating that it has received 1.5 million Sudanese refugees over the past 20 years. SAF has rejected the denial, stating that there is enough evidence, including satellite images and UN reports.
- Chad is accusing Sudan of arming and financing terrorist groups in the region with the goal to destabilise Chad.
International Situation (per 11 November)
- The UN Security Council added two RSF generals to its sanctions list. It concerns Major General Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla, the West Darfur Commander, and Major General Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed, Head of RSF Operations.
- The sanctions include the freezing of assets and a travel ban.
- A UN Security Council expert panel set up to investigate allegations of war crimes by the RSF arrived in Port Sudan on Sunday. The panel is staying for three days for meetings with various national agencies.
- The return of the Trump administration in the US may cause an increase in tensions in the Horn of Africa, as some fear that Ethiopia will feel emboldened to fight for Red Sea access. In addition, observers assume that Trump’s election may speed up recognition of Somaliland.
- In the “Project 2025” document, Somaliland is mentioned in relation to countering Chinese activity in Africa, referring to “the recognition of Somaliland statehood as a hedge against the U.S.’s deteriorating position in Djibouti […]”
- The EU delivered equipment, including military trucks, supplies, and infrastructure resources in Mogadishu, Somalia, last week in order to help the Somali National Army (SNA) in their campaign against al-Shabaab.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urges the Ethiopian authorities to accept and implement recommendations on improving freedom of press and protection of journalists during Ethiopia’s upcoming UN Universal Periodic Review tomorrow, 12 November.
- Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls upon the United Kingdom to use its November presidency of the UN Security Council to deploy a mission to protect civilians in Sudan. HRW states that RSF has killed, raped and detained people on a massive scale in Al Jazira state.
- Tigrayan director Goitom Weldu was one of the winners of the 2024 JCS International Young Creatives Award Winner with the film “A Refugee’s Plea for Peace”, about a refugee who lost his parents in the Tigray war.
- Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak, who has been imprisoned in Eritrea since 2001, has won the Edelstam Prize for his contribution in standing up for freedom of expression and human rights. It is unclear whether Dawit Isaak is still alive.
Links of interest
Sudan army gains ground in Khartoum Bahri
Sudan: Air strikes kill dozens in Nyala City
Sudan’s new banknote fuels fears of financial exclusion and political division
Cyber attacks, the latest weapon in Sudan’s war on media
Sudanese army officer implicated in fall of Wad Madani to RSF
‘Dying of thirst’ as climate-driven floods mix with oil
Devastating Drone Attack in North Gojjam Leaves Dozens Dead, Including Women and Children
Somalia insists Ethiopia not be part of new AU mission
Sudan rejects Chad’s denial of support to RSF
Le Tchad accuse le Soudan de vouloir le “déstabiliser”
Security Council 1591 Sanctions Committee Adds Two Entries to Its Sanctions List
UN panel in Sudan to investigate RSF war crimes in Darfur
EU delivers defence supplies to Somali National Army in Mogadishu
CPJ urges Ethiopia to commit to press freedom during UN human rights review
Sudan: Rapid Support Forces Target Civilians
Jailed Swedish-Eritrean Journalist Wins Rights Prize
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.