News Highlights: RSF seize Wad Madani, EU agreement on Migration and Asylum Pact, 61 die off Libyan coast as boat sinks

by K. Smits
Posted on December 22, 2023December 22, 2023
Ethiopia

In this week’s News Highlights: RSF seize capital of Al-Jazira state, Wad Madani; UN appoints Independent International Fact-Finding Mission to Sudan; Chad expels 4 Sudanese diplomats over RSF support allegations; Ethiopia’s credit rating falls further, as African Development Bank withdraws international staff; IDPs from Oromia ordered to leave Amhara IDP centre; Turkish BAYKAR drone CEO gets medal of honour from Ethiopia; European Parliament delegation visits Tigray; 4th round of GERD Dam talks fails; 10 years since outbreak civil violence in South Sudan; Senior al-Shabaab commander killed in Somalia; Boat sinks off the Libyan coast, 61 drown; EU negotiators agree on key regulations for migration pact; NGOs warn of dangerous principles that new migration pact will bring; EU systematically shares information with Libyan militia linked to human trafficking; Refugees and migrants without shelter and resources as the winter starts in EU; Central Mediterranean Route the most frequented migration route to Europe in 2023; Stricter immigration bill adopted by French parliament; and UK Government states need for credible Transitional Justice policy in Ethiopia.

This is the last News Highlights of this calendar year. Publishing will return to the regular schedule in the week of 8 January 2024. Best wishes for the holiday season.

by K. Smits
Posted on October 20, 2023October 20, 2023
Ethiopia

In this week’s News Highlights: Villages burnt in Darfur, Sudan; RSF advancing in Al Jazira state; 10,000 children in Sudan may die by the end of the year; Sudan conflict causes world’s largest displacement; Defence of Janjaweed commander starts at ICC; ICHREE publishes final report; Four people killed in Central Ethiopia Regional State violence; Countries reject PM Abiy Ahmed’s Red Sea appeal; El Niño flooding threatens Horn of Africa; UN Security Council discusses Somalia; Impact of Libya floods ‘unimaginable’; EU ministers discuss screening and deportation of asylum seekers; Report finds EU countries redirect aid to themselves; Report criticises Malta authorities over handling of boat in distress; Polish elections bring change, but not on migration; Germany announces increased border checks; Italy calls on EU to enact Tunisia deal; 20 smugglers sentenced in Belgium; European Parliament gives journalism award to Greek boat disaster investigation; and Pope Frances focuses on migration in prayer.