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 Ethiopia (per 9 November)
- The Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) mobilised thousands of additional troops to the Sheraro and Rama front and launched repeated attacks to take control of the road connecting Adwa to Rama.
- There are contradicting claims on who is controlling Rama, with the TPLF claiming the ENDF underwent significant setbacks on the Rama and Sheraro fronts, while ACLED states that the ENDF took control of Rama on 7 October.
- The ENDF bombarded Tembien mountains and caves in Tigray, previously used as shelter by the TPLF.
- At least 35 people were killed in an attack near an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Endeto Kebele, Robe Woreda, in Oromia region, by unknown gunmen on 5 November. This attack is the second major assault against civilians in the Arsi Zone within two weeks.
- Dozens of civilians were killed and villages were burned, resulting in the displacement of people across the Abe Dongoro, Kiremu, and Gida Ayana districts of East and West Wollega because of escalating attacks between armed groups, including the Oromo Liberation Army, Fano factions and the ENDF.
- Unconfirmed reports on social media claim that 28 captured TPLF soldiers were executed by the ENDF in the Bizet area.
- Four ENDF drone strikes were carried out in Addeqe Bekli locality, in Ade’t Woreda, targeting a school and homes of farmers on 7 November.
- Security measures were put in place in Mekelle on 6 November by the ENDF, including a curfew and a requirement to surrender illegal weapons to the Tigray Police Commission within three days.
- Over 5000 soldiers affiliated to the TPLF have disarmed and began rehabilitation training in Mekelle.
- Residents of Enticho town have reported being forced by the ENDF to participate in the selection of caretaker administrators.
- Several TPLF leaders have surrendered or been captured by the ENDF.
Situation in Sudan (per 9 November)
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the allied Joint Forces are advancing into West Kordofan. Intense clashes with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took place near El-Khwei and Wad Banda on 8 November, with vehicles being destroyed and a long-range drone intercepted.
- Both the SAF and the RSF denied responsibility for recent drone strikes targeting civilian areas and United Nations sites across the country, instead blaming the other party. Human rights advocates call for independent investigations to hold those responsible to account.
- Ahmed Haroun, the former head of the dissolved National Congress Party, was arrested by the SAF on 8 November. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur.
- Millions of displaced Sudanese risk losing access to emergency shelter because of budget cuts, warn the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 15.4 million people need assistance around the country, but the agencies can assist only 10% of them.
Regional and international situation (per 9 November)
- Young Tigrayans are allegedly being transferred through Eritrea and into Sudan to fight in the war, according to a report published by Sudanese outlet Al-Rakoba. The precise number of affected people and their present location remain unknown.
- Abraham Teklu Lemma, a former US IT contractor originally from Ethiopia, pleaded guilty in US federal court for having shared top secret intelligence documents, including satellite images and military assessments, to an Ethiopian intelligence official between 2021 and 2023.
- Douglas Kanja, Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, led a high-level Kenyan security delegation to Moyale on 5 November and announced that Kenya is engaging with Ethiopian authorities to end the violent clashes between Oromia and Somali regional forces.
- Global Security Services Group (GSSG), an Abu-Dhabi based security firm, recruited hundreds of thousands of Colombian mercenaries in order to train and fight alongside the RSF, according to a confidential UN report.
- This report has reinforced doubt over whether the UAE’s candidate for UN Secretary-General, diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, would be able to impartially oversee the Sudanese conflict.
- Somalia’s Supreme Court ruled that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s one year term extension was unconstitutional. The court ordered an electoral framework to be agreed within 30 days and to hold elections within 90 days.
- At least 23 people died and thousands were displaced after weeks of clashes between the South Sudanese government forces and opposition fighters in the northern Ruweng region.
- Foreign ministers from Egypt, Somalia, and Djibouti held talks in Tripoli on 7-8 November during a regional meeting. While the Red Sea security was confirmed to remain the responsibility of its littoral states, no joint military pacts targeting Ethiopia were announced.
- Ethiopian officials have stated that any future talks about the Nile water management and Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project of the Blue Nile (GERD) depend on Ethiopia getting access to a Red Sea port. Egypt has firmly rejected this demand.
- Australian foreign minister Penny Wong announced targeted sanctions and travel bans against military leaders both from the SAF and RSF, including SAF chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
- The Ugandan military has started withdrawing its troops from Somalia, planning to conclude their exit operation by the end of 2027.
- Diplomats from Sudan and South Sudan argued at the UN Security Council over South Sudan’s decision to include the contended Abyei region in its December general elections.
Links of interest
ENDF Suffered major Setback on Shiraro Front | ENDF Operation in tembien’s caves and mountains
Ethiopian Defense Forces Impose Nighttime Curfew and Security Restrictions in Mekelle
News: Dozens killed in second attack in as many weeks in Oromia’s Arsi area
Tigrai Government Condemns Foreign Mercenaries Fighting Alongside Ethiopian Federal Forces in Tigrai
5,500 Former Tigray Combatants Disarm and Begin Rehabilitation Training in Mekelle
Sudan army, allies advance against RSF in West Kordofan, down third drone
Sudan warring parties trade blame over strikes on civilian, UN sites
Sudanese army arrests former ruling party chief Ahmed Haroun after podcast appearance
Millions of displaced Sudanese risk losing shelter as funds run low, UN warns
Tigray youths allegedly trafficked into Sudan’s war
US contractor admits passing US top-secret information to Ethiopia in its war against rebels
News: Kenya engages Ethiopia to end ongoing Moyale conflict
Somalia’s top court rejects president’s term extension amid political crisis
At least 23 dead in South Sudan clashes
Egypt, Somalia and Djibouti Hold Talks on Red Sea Security and Horn of Africa Stability
Ethiopia Links Nile Water Talks to Egypt’s Support for Red Sea Access
Australia sanctions senior commanders responsible For Sudan conflict
Uganda says it has started withdrawing troops from Somalia
Sudan and South Sudan clash at UN over Abyei elections and military presence
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.