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 2 December)
- At least 20 people, eight children and 12 elderly persons, have died from malnutrition in Dar es Salaam, a Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-controlled part of Omdurman, an emergency response team states.
- RSF launched around 10 missiles at the Zamzam camp for displaced people close to El Fasher, North Darfur, on Sunday, resulting in at least two deaths and dozens of injuries, witnesses state.
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have retaken several positions in the south and east of Al Jazirah State. This includes the Um Al-Qura locality, which borders Gedaref.
- Villages in western Meheiriba in Al Jazirah have come under RSF attack, including by artillery fire, a rights group states. Eight people have reportedly been killed; many others were injured or have fled.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 2 December)
- At least nine people were killed in an attack in the Arsi Zone of the Oromia region on Thursday, witnesses and family state. The perpetrators, which the residents state were from the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), took the people from their houses and killed them at a nearby river.
- Four others who were also taken are still missing.
- The Oromia Regional government and a former senior leader of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), Jaal Senay Negasa, signed a peace agreement in Addis Ababa. The details are not yet known to public.
- The grandchildren of Ras Desta Damtew, an Ethiopian noble and general executed in 1937, have asked for the return of a medal that was stolen when he was captured. The medal was put on auction as part of the estate of an Italian soldier present at the capture.
Situation in Eritrea (per 2 December)
- Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki gave an interview of two and a half hours on Eritrean media. The interview covered developments in Eritrea and the Horn of Africa.
- Isaias commented on the recent agreement between Eritrea, Somalia, and Egypt, stating that this is not an axis against Ethiopia, but an initiative for regional stability. He dismissed such news items as “foreign-backed disinformation campaigns”.
- Isaias also stated that Ethiopia’s constitution is flawed and the basis for internal conflict, and blamed border clashes between Ethiopia and Eritrea on external interference.
Regional Situation (per 2 December)
- The Ethiopian Refugee and Returnee Service (RRS) revealed plans to relocate Eritrean asylum seekers currently residing in Addis Ababa to a refugee site in the Abala area of the Afar region.
- The Director of RRS states that a budget from the UN Refugee Agency for the plan is pending. He states that refugees will be gathered in a “designated center” before relocation.
- Eritrean refugees in Addis Ababa continue to be arrested and detained for up to weeks or months without due process. The refugees worry they might be deported. Refugees report being asked to secretly pay cash for their release.
- SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visited Asmara, Eritrea, last week for a one-day visit. Al-Burhan and ministers from his new cabinet discussed with Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki about security, military cooperation and economics.
- Al-Burhan thanked Eritrea for its support in the war. Eritrea is currently hosting eastern Sudanese armed movements, from which troops are being deployed to eastern Sudan. Observers fear that Eritrea’s support to these movements may lead to a wider tribal conflict.
- The Eritrean ambassador to South Sudan, Yohannes Teklemichael, was featured in a video of Eritrean government-associated EmbassyMedia, in which he criticised the Ethiopian government. The video was removed from the channel within hours.
- The ambassador blamed Ethiopia for creating tensions in the region, and blamed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for disrupting the relation between people from Ethiopia and Eritrea. He described PM Abiy as a child.
- Furthermore, the ambassador described the role of the Eritrean ruling party, People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), in the diaspora.
- Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will help mediate the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, Ruto announced on Saturday.
- Tigrayan peace keepers in Sudan and South Sudan have been left stranded as they were unable to return home amidst wars in Tigray, Ethiopia, and Sudan. They have not been paid for their two-year mission.
International Situation (per 2 December)
- Colombian media report that around 300 Colombian mercenaries are fighting in Sudan.
- Some ex-soldiers were reportedly recruited under false pretenses by the Colombian company International Services Agency A4SI, stating that they would secure oil infrastructures in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Instead, they were transported to Libya and handed to RSF representatives.
- The mercenaries are reportedly fighting alongside RSF troops in El Fasher, North Darfur. At least three of the Colombian soldiers were reportedly killed in October. One soldier stated in a recording that he fears being executed if he does not fight.
- The UAE is allegedly involved in the operation of Colombian mercenaries in Sudan.
- Al-Burhan and EU Horn of Africa Envoy Anette Weber spoke this weekend to discuss the situation in Sudan and a possible regional intervention.
- Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, travelled to Darfur, Sudan, where he visited El Geneina and the Adre border crossing.
Links of interest
RSF missile attack on Darfur’s Zamzam IDP camp kills and injures civilians
Malnutrition kills 20 in RSF-held Sudan’s Omdurman district
BBC hears of horror and hunger in Darfur massacre town
8 killed as Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces target villages
Sudanese army advances in Al Jazirah state, retakes key locations
9 killed in Ethiopia Oromia region attack
Ministry Hails Peace Deal Between Oromia Regional Gov’t, OLA Senior Leader as Critical Step
Gold star medal taken from an Ethiopian war hero surfaces at auction
Highlights of President Isaias Afwerki’s Interview with local media outlets
Isaias Afwerki dismisses claims of an ‘axis against Ethiopia’
የኤርትራው አምባሳደር ለሁለቱ ሀገራት ግንኙነት መቀዛቀዝ ጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር ዐቢይ አሕመድን ወቀሱ
RRS to relocate Eritrean asylum seekers from capital to refugee shelter in Afar region
Eritrean refugees describe police crackdown in Ethiopia
‘Sudan-Eritrea military alliance risks igniting tribal conflict’
Kenya, Uganda to mediate Ethiopia-Somalia dispute
Tigrayan peacekeepers left stranded by civil war
“Me quiero devolver”: hay más de 300 exmilitares colombianos en la guerra de Sudán
‘Colombian mercenaries fighting in Sudan with alleged UAE links’
Burhan, EU envoy discuss regional role in ending Sudan conflict
Today’s top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Sudan and Chad
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.