News Highlights: New disarmament talks amidst continued attacks, UN finishes investigative mission Libya, EU Search and Rescue crisis

In this week’s news highlights: Eritrean forces continue looting and kidnapping in Tigray, Ethiopian forces carry out mass arrests; Aid coming into Tigray fails to match the needs of the population; New talks to begin on Tigray disarmament; No date offered for the end of blackout in Tigray; Al Shabaab militants besiege hotel in Mogadishu; Committee against Torture adopts concluding observations on Somalia; 500.000 more people in South Sudan will need aid in 2023; UN experts call on South Sudan to investigate government official linked to sexual violence; A conference to chart the way towards Eritrean democracy; WFP pleads to world not to give up on drought-stricken Horn of Africa; A migratory route into the Mediterranean reopens from eastern Libya; UN finishes fifth investigative mission in Libya; Spanish government presents bill to fight human trafficking; Spanish authorities insist no death occurred on their soil during Melilla tragedy; Increasing privatisation of migrant rescue work; What next for the Search and Rescue crisis?; Frontex states irregular border crossings have increased by 77%; Commission president and AU chairperson meeting and statement; Hunger, insecurity and underfunding are worsening the risk of gender based violence; and UN seeks 51.5 billion USD “lifeline” for 2023.

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. 

Horn Highlights: Amnesty launches Ethiopia campaign amidst failing media attention, Horn drought has major impact on children

In this week’s Horn Highlights: Amnesty International sections launch campaign to raise awareness on Ethiopia; Increase in child marriage due to drought, states UNICEF; US welcomes Tigray withdrawal from Afar; 2 muslims killed in clash in Addis Ababa; Severe environmental impact on Tigray a setback for the region; Malnourishment high among children and pregnant women in Tigray; TPLF accuses OCHA of misrepresenting Western Tigray areas as Amhara region; Ethiopian government says that soldiers who requested asylum in Sudan are victims of propaganda; Health workers say that healthcare in Tigray is failing; Protests take place on anniversary of al-Bashir’s ousting in Sudan.