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Situation in Sudan (per 13 December)
- Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) carried out a series of airstrikes on busy markets in Kabkabiya, Al-Kuma, and Melit, El Fasher, North Darfur, as well as Nyala, South Darfur, resulting in nearly 200 civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries, including many women and children.
- An airstrike on Al-Kuma, North Darfur, reportedly killed 13 children aged 6 to 17, confirmed by UNHCR, condemning the attacks. The SAF military has been asserting that the airstrikes are aimed at dismantling the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) controlling the targeted areas.
- Mass internal displacement in Sudan, with over 11 million IDPs, has far-reaching implications not only on IDPs but also host communities, shows a new study carried out by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in six Sudanese states – Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref, Northern, White Nile, and Blue Nile
- 92% of host communities and 76% of IDPs households have not received any food assistance, according to the report.
- Sudan is currently the largest humanitarian crisis recorded globally, with 10% of the global population in need of assistance, states a new report by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), warning of looming “humanitarian collapse” as both sides of the conflict continue to escalate violence.
- RSF reportedly killed journalist Hanan Adam and her brother Youssef at their home in Wad Al-Asha, Al-Jazira state, according to reports from the Sudanese Journalists’ Union and the Sudan Communist Party.
- Adam was a correspondent for a local newspaper and worked at the Ministry of Culture and Information. She was believed to have been targeted due to her work affiliation, according to witnesses cited by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
- RSF and allied Arab militias reportedly committed numerous war crimes against civilians in Habila county, South Kordofan, including killings, rapes, and abductions, primarily targeting ethnic Nuba residents, states Human Rights Watch (HRW).
- Violent acts, committed between December 2023 and March 2024, led to mass displacement, turning Habila and nearby Fayu into ghost towns, said HRW, calling for urgent action from the UN and AU to deploy a mission to protect civilians in Sudan.
- Ethnic motivations reportedly underlie the RSF’s targeted attacks on the Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur from 1-11 December, according to the Darfur Advocacy Group.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 13 December)
- 37 district and kebele officials in Feres Bet town, Amhara region, were reportedly killed after being detained for two months. Residents reported the killings to be done by Fano militia.
- Former Tigray combatants with disabilities have raised concerns about being pressured to leave medical facilities before completing their medical treatment amid the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program in Tigray.
- Feeling abandoned by the leadership, disabled veterans organised a protest in Agula town, blocking the road between Mekelle and Adigrat, on Tuesday, stating that being grouped with other able-bodied former combatants during the DDR programme does not address their special medical needs.
- Hospital officials acknowledged the grievances and stated that while some misclassifications are being corrected, all ex-combatants will be discharged according to DDR procedures.
International & Regional Situation (per 13 December)
- Ethiopia and Somalia signed the Ankara Declaration on Wednesday to resolve their dispute over Ethiopia’s plans to build a port in Somaliland, following discussions in Turkey under the auspices of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This was well received by the international community.
- The leaders of both countries, Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, committed to respecting each other’s sovereignty and addressing past misunderstandings, with plans to hold further technical talks in February 2025.
- A pro-forma hearing in the case of the alleged Eritrean human trafficker known as Walid took place on Tuesday in Zwolle, the Netherlands, with the suspect not present but represented by his lawyer.
- 3 remaining witnesses in the Walid case and 5 financial suspects are scheduled to be heard in January. The next hearing has been scheduled for 11 February 2025 at 10.00am.
- At least 86 cargo flights from the UAE have reportedly landed at a small airstrip in Chad since the outbreak of Sunda’s conflict in 2023, raising suspicions among UN experts and diplomats that these flights are being used to transport arms, reports Reuters.
- The newly elected president of Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro), was officially inaugurated on Thursday.
- The Somali President was forced to withdraw the Somali National Army (SNA) from Jubaland after sustaining great losses in the fight against Jubaland regional forces that broke out in Raskamboni.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 13 December)
- Ethiopian authorities refuted recent reports of recognized Eritrean refugees being arrested, detained and requested to pay large fees in Ethiopia, calling the allegations “unfounded and baseless”.
- Over 20,000 Sudanese refugees arrived in South Sudan over the past week with the majority being women and children, said the UNHCR. Daily arrivals tripled compared to the previous weeks.
- 20,839 refugees and migrants have been intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea and returned to Libya by the Libyan coast guard in 2024 which is an increase compared to 2023.
- The Netherlands initiated border controls with Germany and Belgium in an attempt to curb migration, involving random checks and inspections, as stated by Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber.
- Germany, France, Austria, Belgium and other EU countries announced they are suspending decisions on asylum claims by Syrian nationals after the fall of the Syrian regime led by President Bashar al-Assad.
- UN and rights groups urge countries not to rush their decisions making sure the rights of Syrians are protected.
Links of interest
Sudanese Air Force kills nearly 200 civilians in attacks on markets
Bursting at the seams: the impact of war and displacement on Sudan’s Eastern cities
Sudan ‘biggest humanitarian crisis ever recorded’, International Rescue Committee says
Rapid Support Forces kill Sudanese journalist Hanan Adam and brother
Sudan: War Crimes in South Kordofan
News: 37 officials killed by ‘Fano’ militants in Amhara region following two-month detention
Ethiopia and Somalia agree to end bitter Somaliland port feud
Dozens of UAE flights head to airstrip UN says supplies arms to Sudan rebels
New president sworn in as Somaliland seeks international standing
Somalia: Hassan Sheikh Withdraws Troops from Jubaland After Defeat in Raskamboni
Facebook: Refugees & Returnees Service – RRS
World News in Brief: Arrivals surge in South Sudan, the rise of digital media, Haiti crisis update
Libya’s coast guard has intercepted and returned nearly 21,000 migrants in 2024
Netherlands starts border controls to curb migration
UN urges patience as European countries suspend Syrian asylum decisions
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.