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 5 December)
- Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille of the Catholic Diocese of El Obeid was reportedly attacked, beaten and robbed by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) while travelling from Renk to El Obeid. The attack occurred upon his return from the Eucharistic Congress in Juba.
- Bishop was reportedly targeted for his ethnicity as a Nuba, and was accused by his attackers of having connections to the Sovereign Council from Kordofan.
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militia reportedly took control over Wad al-Mahdi town which is a strategic location in the close proximity to Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazirah state.
- RSF intensified attacks in North Darfur on Wednesday, hitting the Zamzam camp for displaced people and reportedly killing at least 23 people and wounding dozens more. The Zamzam camp has been under a series of attacks from 1 December.
- RSF denied allegations of targeting the camp, calling them false and contradictory.
- The already catastrophic situation in Zamzam has significantly deteriorated after the RSF attacks, stated Ahmed Abdallah Ismail, the head of the Sudanese NGO Mashad working in the camp, describing the situation as “absolute chaos”.
- Sudan’s national heritage has been endangered with reports showing the looting in Sudan National Museum in Khartoum earlier in September. The looting of museums, which violates international law, raises concerns about the potential smuggling and sale of the stolen items.
- Some of the stolen artefacts have reportedly been located in South Sudan, according to Dr Ikhlas Abdel Latief, Sudan’s Director of Museums.
- The UN World Food Program (WFP) faces critical challenges in its efforts to address the severe hunger crisis in Sudan, including operational limitations, missed funding opportunities, and allegations of fraud and concealment of information from donors, according to a WFP internal report.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 5 December)
- Taye Dendea, the former Ethiopian Minister of Peace, has been released from detention after a court granted him bail on 2 December after nearly a year of imprisonment. Dendea was arrested in December 2023, accused of spreading propaganda and possession of unauthorized weapons.
- As Dendea was leaving the Kilinto Prison following a court decision yesterday, he was intercepted by masked individuals and taken to the Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau. However, he was finally released today according to family members.
- Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Ethiopian authorities to immediately retract the decision of suspension of three human rights organizations.
- “Suspending the organizations reflects a much broader government effort in recent years to silence independent civil society groups, the media, and other critical voices to evade scrutiny”, said HRW.
- Clashes between Fano militia and Ethiopian National Defense Forces erupted in Shewa Robit town, Amhara region, on Wednesday, leading to a government retreat after hours of fighting. The number of casualties remains unclear.
- People in rural areas in Tigray region continue to face the dangers of unexploded munition, highlighting the ongoing impact of the 2-year conflict on communities, with children often the most affected.
- The Climate Investment Funds has announced a $500 million initiative to assist Ethiopia in combating drought by restoring degraded land, protecting forests, and enhancing food security.
- This program aims to address the challenges posed by climate change and land degradation, and will benefit millions of rural Ethiopians reliant on agriculture.
Regional Situation (per 5 December)
- There are reports of about 350 Eritreans being deported from Ethiopia back to Eritrea this week.
- The South Sudan peace talks resumed in Kenya on Wednesday after a four-month hiatus and the dismissal of a previous South Sudan government delegation. These discussions involve the South Sudanese government and opposition groups not included in the 2018 peace agreement.
- The Secretary-General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Peter Lam Both, has threatened to shut down social media in South Sudan due to the spread of anti-SPLM rumors and negative messaging.
- Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s Transitional Council, travelled to Juba on Wednesday and met with South Sudanese president Salva Kiir Mayardit.
- The delegations discussed critical bilateral issues including recent military escalations in the border areas between two countries, as well as transporting of crude oil from South Sudan through Sudan.
International Situation (per 5 December)
- Colombia issued an apology to Sudan through its Foreign Minister for involvement of some Colombians in the fighting alongside RSF as mercenaries. Recent reports reveal that ex-soldiers were reportedly recruited under false pretenses and are currently positioned alongside RSF troops in El Fasher.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 5 December)
- The EU Commission is reportedly set to propose stricter migration measures in 2025 aimed at expediting deportations and enhancing the new EU pact on migration and asylum, with proposals potentially ready as early as February.
- The EU Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, criticized the EU Commission for its lack of transparency regarding a cash-for-migrant agreement with Tunisia, highlighting the commission’s failure to provide requested documents related to the deal.
- France called upon the UK to establish a legal pathway for asylum seekers, with the new French interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, emphasizing that France can no longer shoulder the entire responsibility for border security. Retailleau also warned to reconsider the Le Touquet agreement that allows British border checks on French soil.
Links of interest
SUDAN: Bishop Tombe Trille of El Obeid Survives RSF Assault on Journey Back to Diocese
RSF attacks on Darfur camp kill dozens, army launches airstrikes – Sudan Tribune
RSF denies accusations of bombing North Darfur displaced camp
Sudan: UN deplores deadly shelling on Zamzam camp
Threat of RSF invasion looms over el-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur
Sudan’s Zamzam camp faces humanitarian catastrophe, NGO warns
Sudan’s national treasures have been stolen – we spoke with the director of museums
News: Taye Dendea released after year-long detention, reunited with family
Ethiopia: Authorities Suspend Three Rights Groups
Fano Forces Enter Shewa Robit, reports of Drone Attack in Bilbila
Climate Investment Funds board backs $500 mln Ethiopia nature plan
Weapon contamination in Ethiopia wrecks limbs and dreams
SPLM threatens to shut down social media in South Sudan
South Sudan peace talks resume after 4 months and the sacking of a government delegation
El Burhan visits South Sudan ‘to discuss four critical files’
Colombia apologizes again to Sudan over mercenaries fighting alongside RSF – Sudan Tribune
New EU migration policies expected to get even tougher in 2025
Ombudsman faults EU Commission for lack of paperwork on Tunisia deal
France can no longer bear ‘entire burden’ of defending UK border, warns minister on migrant crisis
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.