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 14 November)
- Armoured personnel carriers (APCs) manufactured in the United Arab Emirates, which have incorporated French military technology, are being used by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the battlefield, says Amnesty International.
- The French-made Galix System was visible in verified pictures of several APCs. The system is manufactured by Lacroix Defense and KNDS France. Amnesty warns that the use of the system in Darfur would be a clear breach of the UN arms embargo.
- “The French government must ensure that Lacroix Defense and KNDS France immediately stop the supply of this system to the UAE,” states Amnesty.
- At least 450 people have now been killed in Hilaliya in Al Jazirah state, Sudanese activists say. They published a list of names of people who have died. Most have reportedly died as a result of poisoning.
- The siege of the city by the RSF has now lasted 21 days.
- Clashes continue in eastern and southeastern parts of El Fasher, with both RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) using heavy weapons.
- Sudan’s sovereign council announced that the opening of the Adre border crossing with Chad will be extended by three months. The UN welcomed the decision, but states that the opening of more routes is necessary to provide humanitarian supplies and staff to the areas most in need.
Situation in South Sudan (per 14 November)
- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan states that tangible progress should be made on organisation of elections in South Sudan, as “the clock on the extension is already ticking.”
- Urgent action is needed to combat the cholera outbreak in Upper Nile State and beyond, states Médecins sans Frontières (MSF). Inadequate and crowded conditions of refugees coming in from Sudan are contributing to the outbreak.
Situation in Eritrea (per 14 November)
- The Eritrean government has paid the bail to release Eritrean government supporters from prison in Israel. The situation came to light after Eritrea requested the return of bail money paid for a supporter who was arrested following violent riots in September 2023.
- Independent Eritrean media station Radio Erena, broadcasting to Eritrea and the Eritrean diaspora from Paris, is at risk of closing due to a lack of funding. The team has shrunk from six to three people in the last year.
- Seife Berhe, Executive Director of Andiamo Exploration, a gold and base metal company in Eritrea, is speaking at a mining festival in Dubai.
Regional Situation (per 14 November)
- People in Somaliland voted on 13 November, after the election was delayed for the previous two years. The voting appears to have gone smoothly and the votes are being counted. The results of the election are expected before 21 November.
- Observers fear that Eritrea’s role in the war in Sudan is growing, as new armed militia trained in Eritrea are deployed in the conflict in eastern Sudan on the side of SAF.
International Situation (per 14 November)
- The UN Security Council met on Sudan on Tuesday. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs condemned the RSF attacks and the indiscriminate bombings by the SAF.
- She also warned that allies of the warring forces are perpetuating the violence against civilians in Sudan by providing support and arms.
- The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan stated that sexual violence is being committed on a “staggering” scale in Sudan, especially by RSF forces. Children are among the victims. Girls and women are being abducted for sexual slavery.
- The UN calls upon the Security Council member states to take immediate action in protecting civilians, delivering humanitarian aid and providing flexible funding for humanitarian organisations.
- The EU is providing €1million in emergency funding to combat the cholera epidemic in South Sudan.
- Ethiopia and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on carbon trading and climate change mitigation, the Ministry of Planning and Development of Ethiopia (MoPD) states. It was signed on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).
- The UN Security Council is expected to vote today on a draft resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 14 November)
- A court in Rome, Italy, refused a formal request to detain 7 asylum seekers in Albania. The asylum seekers have been sent back to Italy.
- The asylum seekers from Bangladesh and Egypt were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea and sent to screening centres in Albania. Both countries have been listed as safe countries of origin by the Italian government, but not by the European Union.
- The court has referred this case and an earlier case in October to the European Court of Justice.
- Over 3 million refugees have fled Sudan, states the UN Refugee Agency. Most are in the surrounding countries of Chad, South Sudan and Egypt. Refugees continue to flee, especially due to fighting in Darfur.
- Germany and Somalia agreed last week to return a larger number of Somalis. A Somali spokesperson later clarified that the agreement was only intended for voluntary returns; however, German Chancellor Scholz indicated that it applied to Somalis that were rejected for asylum.
- The implementation of EU migration reform in Germany could be delayed as Germany’s ruling coalition has collapsed.
Links of interest
Sudan: French-manufactured weapons system identified in conflict – new investigation
Activists: 450 killed in RSF attack on Hilaliya, Central Sudan
Sudan army downs seven RSF drones in El Fasher as fighting rages
Sudan extends opening of Adre crossing for aid delivery
Rare média libre écouté en Erythrée, Radio Erena risque de s’éteindre
Radio Erena: Eritrea’s voice of hope under threat
UNMISS calls for tangible evidence of progress toward democratic elections in South Sudan
South Sudan: Urgent action needed to address growing cholera outbreak
South Sudan: EU provides €1 million in emergency humanitarian funding for cholera epidemic
Somaliland goes to the polls amid Ethiopia-Somalia port deal row
Sudan: Allies of warring generals ‘enabling the slaughter,’ Security Council hears
Sexual violence on ‘staggering’ scale in Sudan civil war, says UN probe
Ethiopia, Russia sign MoU to collaborate on climate change initiatives
UN Interim Security Force for Abyei: Vote on Mandate Renewal Resolution
‘Sudan is trapped in a nightmare’ – extreme violence drives record refugee exodus, UN says
Court ruling is setback for Italy’s plan to send asylum seekers to Albania
German agreement on repatriations to Somalia under spotlight
EU migration reform caught up in political posturing over German snap vote
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.