News Highlights: Ceasefire extended in Sudan – conflict continues, Deaths off Tunisia and Libya, UK Court of Appeals on UK Asylum Bill

In this week’s news highlights: Delicate ceasefire in Sudan, negotiations pending; Humanitarian situation worsening in Sudan, death toll mounts; Fighting over key infrastructure in Sudan; Civilians and refugees in Sudan at risk as deportations loom, prices rise; Peace talks between OLA and Ethiopia; Delegation from regional states arrives in Tigray; Christians arrested in Eritrea; Fighting around Laascaanood, Somaliland, likely to resume; Drought would not have occurred without climate change, says report; 70 bodies recovered off Tunisian coast and 372 people returned; 57 bodies recovered off Libyan coast; Lawyers say UK Illegal Migration Bill is unlawful; Healthcare bodies raise concern over UK’s Illegal Migration Bill; Asylum seeker children treated as adults in the UK; EU Commission optimistic on approval of migration pact; EU ready to normalise relations with Ethiopia; Italy approves Cutro decree; Hundreds of refugees and migrants reach Italy; Germany and Italy tighten control on migration.

Horn Highlights: Foundation announces legal action on Eritrea, Witnesses say Amhara forces are hiding atrocity evidence, Prisoners tortured in Sudan

In this week’s Horn Highlights: Foundation announces legal action on Eritrea in 10 May press conference; Amhara security forces hiding evidence of ethnic cleansing, say witnesses; Aid flow to Tigray remains trickle; CPJ calls for the release of journalists in Ethiopia who could face death penalty; UN’s Bachelet condemns religious violence in Ethiopia; Civilian casualties in Oromia; Eritrea-Tigray rivalry role in famine; Analysts warn resumption of Ethiopia conflict imminent; Rock-hewn churches at risk; Tigrayans call for release of prisoners; GERD cyberattack; Lawyers accuse Sudanese authorities of torturing prisoners; Sudan opposition group refuses to participate in UN-led dialogue; Eritrean Press Agency claims Russia sent drones to Eritrea in exchange for naval base; Eritrean asylum seeker challenges Swiss return of Eritreans with torture story; Somalia set to elect president of 15 May; and Pope to visit South Sudan in July.

Ecological and political factors are stacking the deck against the population in Ethiopia amidst severe drought

On 19 April, the World Food Program announced that the number of people pushed to hunger by the severe drought in the Horn of Africa could rise from the current 14 million to 20 million by the end of the year. This is the latest in a long list of warnings from various international organisations that have been drawing attention to the agropastoral and food crises caused by this drought since 2020. But contrary to the 2016-2017 drought in the Horn, sufficient measures have not been put in place upstream, organisations warn. Although the whole region faces alarming consequences, with for example half a million already starving people in Kenya, Ethiopia is currently the most affected country with more than 7 million people already affected by famine. This is due to various climatic, but also political circumstances.