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 Sudan (per 16 April)
- At least five people, including two children, were killed and over 1,400 left homeless after a massive fire swept through a displacement camp in Central Darfur’s Rokoro town on 15 April. The fire was fueled by extreme overcrowding, a lack of safety measures, and the use of flammable building materials.
- A Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) drone strike targeting the Adikong border crossing with Chad killed at least three people and left dozens wounded, including Chadian nationals.
- At least six miners were killed when an informal gold mine collapsed in the Keliti area, Red Sea state, on Tuesday.
Situation in Ethiopia/Eritrea (per 16 April)
- Fano forces claimed partial control of Kobo town in the Amhara region and reported killing over 250 federal government soldiers across multiple engagements including ambushes near Lalibela and battles in Mekane Selam and the Muja area.
- Lt. Gen. Tadesse Worede rejected the criticisms of mandate extension for the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA), which rose after PM Abiy Ahmed renewed Worede’s mandate for an additional year. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rejected the extension.
- Werede called for dialogue to resolve disputes and urged critics to use formal processes for attempts to bring any change to the current TIRA leadership.
- Ethiopia and Liberia agreed to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation following talks between their defense ministers in Addis Ababa.
- Liberia expressed interest in drawing on Ethiopia’s expertise in military science, peacekeeping operations, and defense institution building for capacity building and technical training.
- Egypt and Eritrea held high-level talks in Cairo to strengthen bilateral industrial cooperation, identifying priority sectors including agro-industries, mining, fisheries, and renewable energy.
- Both sides agreed to establish a joint Egyptian-Eritrean business council to accelerate investment.
International and regional situation (per 16 April)
- Countries and donors pledged €1.3 billion in humanitarian aid at the third International Sudan Conference in Berlin, to address Sudan’s worsening crisis. The aid is aimed at supporting people inside Sudan as well as refugees in neighbouring countries.
- At the Berlin Conference, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher warned that Sudan has become an “atrocities laboratory” since the outbreak of the war, urging renewed global action.
- Sudan condemned the Berlin donor conference on 15 April as “surprising and unacceptable” interference in its sovereignty.
- Ethiopia, Italy, and the World Bank concluded trilateral talks in agreement on a coordinated budget support framework to strengthen Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform agenda.
- African Union (AU) and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) election observation missions described Djibouti’s presidential election as credible and transparent, with both bodies stating the vote adhered to national and international standards. President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh was reelected for a 6th term.
- Israel appointed Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to Somaliland, deepening ties following Israel’s December recognition of the breakaway region.
- Somalia condemned the appointment of the Israeli ambassador stating that the appointment goes against Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- Somaliland dismissed Somalia’s objections to its diplomatic ties with Israel as baseless and insisted its foreign relations fall within its sovereign prerogative
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 16 April)
- Over 12,000 Ethiopian refugees are living in Sudan’s volatile Blue Nile state as of 31 March, with Ethiopians comprising 8% of the country’s total refugee population, according to an UNHCR report.
- The majority of Ethiopian refugees are hosted in refugee camps while the rest reside in out-of camp settings.
- Libya and Somalia finalized an agreement to repatriate approximately 400 Somali nationals from Libyan detention centers after high-level talks in Tripoli, aiming to address humanitarian concerns and combat human trafficking networks.
- A tightening of EU asylum rules and partnerships with African countries have reduced irregular arrivals in the EU by 26% in 2025, but rerouted migrants onto riskier paths.
- The International Centre for Migration Policy Development has warned of potential new surges to Europe in 2026 amid Middle East instability and ongoing conflicts across several African countries.
- UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, and UN OCHA jointly renewed their urgent appeal for increased international support for Sudanese refugees and host communities in the Central African Republic.
- The migration flows along the Eastern Route remain high despite its record death toll in 2025 according to data compiled by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
- Over 5,100 Ethiopian migrants stranded in Yemen returned to the Horn of Africa via 35 dangerous sea crossings in the first quarter of 2026, according to the IOM, while 57,414 African migrants arrived in Yemen during the same period with the majority being Ethiopians.
- Thousands of Sudanese refugees sheltering at South Sudan’s Renk Transit Center continue to face severe challenges including hunger, limited education access, and inadequate basic services despite relative safety, reports Reuters.
Links of interest
Five killed as fire guts displacement camp in Sudan’s Darfur
Sudan army drone strike kills three at Chad border crossing
Six killed in Sudan gold mine collapse
Ethiopian Rebels Claim Second Military Gain In Less Than A Week News – Borkena
President Tadesse Worede defends appointment amid criticism, rejects calls to step down
Egypt, Eritrea move to deepen industrial, investment cooperation – Dailynewsegypt
EU leads €1.3bn Sudan aid pledge and backs arms embargo
Sudan condemns Berlin conference as devastating war enters fourth year
Today’s top news: Sudan, Iran, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Central African Republic
Ethiopia, Italy, and World Bank Join Forces to Drive Macroeconomic Reforms – Birr Metrics
Djibouti’s presidential election meets int’l standards: observers
Israel appoints first ambassador to Somaliland | Border Disputes News | Al Jazeera
Somalia condemns Israel’s appointment of envoy to Somaliland
UNHCR Sudan – Ethiopian Refugees in Sudan Dashboard as of 31 March 2026
Libya to repatriate 400 detained Somali migrants
Tighter EU migration controls fail to curb departures from Africa, report says
Over 5,000 Stranded Ethiopian Migrants Return from Yemen to Horn of Africa in Early 2026
Daily struggle of Sudanese refugees in South Sudan continues
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.