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Situation in Sudan (per 13 November)
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have rejected the 3-month ceasefire proposal by the Sudan Quartet composed of the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
- Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem said the proposal was not backed by a UN Security Council resolution or any international organisation, and thus the government will not deal with it formally.
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have carried out shelling and drone strikes on SAF positions in Babanusa, West Kordofan, for three consecutive days, and continued to send reinforcements to the town.
- Malnutrition levels are at the highest rates since the start of the war, with 70% of the people that have reached Tawila acutely malnourished, and 35% suffering from severe acute malnutrition as of 3 November, reports Médecins Sans Frontières.
- Mona Rishmawi, a member of the UN International Fact Finding Mission, condemned the violence in El Fasher describing the atrocities as “preventable” and noting that “for 18 months we were warned”.
Situation in South Sudan (per 13 November)
- Benjamin Bol Mel was reportedly put under house arrest in Juba after he was removed from his position as the Vice- President of South Sudan as well as First Deputy Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) by President Salva Kiir on Wednesday.
- Witnesses reported that security forces surrounded his home, barred relatives from visiting, and allegedly seized documents and money.
- Bol Mel was further demoted from a full general to private in the National Security Service. The dismissal was announced on the state television without naming specific reasons.
- The presidential decrees further announced removal of 3 other key high-level persons including, SPLM Secretary General Paul Logale, Governor of the Bank of South Sudan Addis Ababa Othow, and the Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority Simon Akuei.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 13 November)
- 10 Ethiopian opposition parties are calling for essential democratic reforms and the unconditional opening of political spaces in Ethiopia ahead of the general election which is scheduled for 2026.
- Parties argue that continuing with the election under current conditions would be meaningless, urging for release of political prisoners, the reopening of opposition offices, and a complete cessation of hostilities across the country to ensure safe participation in the elections.
- Protests erupted in several Woredas of Afar on Monday and Tuesday in response to a recent attack by Tigray security forces that had reportedly taken control of multiple villages in Tonsa Kebele. Protesters condemned the attack and demanded the withdrawal of forces.
- Residents also stated that thousands of people have reportedly been displaced due to these unrests.
- The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) called on the Federal government to address ongoing human rights violations, particularly highlighting the recent killings of Orthodox Christians in Arsi, Oromia, where at least 25 people were reportedly killed.
- The EHRC report accuses ‘armed groups’ of being responsible for those killings. The Ethiopian opposition groups called for a thorough independent investigation.
- The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) claims to have killed 44 members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and states it captured two others in East Wollega zone, Oromia, on Tuesday. The OLA has not confirmed these claims yet.
Regional & International Situation (per 13 November)
- G7 foreign ministers have strongly condemned the “ethnically motivated” RSF attacks on civilians and aid workers in El Fasher, North Darfur, and North Kordofan in a meeting in Canada on Wednesday.
- UN Under-Secretary-General, Tom Fletcher, held talks with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the SAF, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on improving humanitarian access.
- The current scale of sexual abuse including reported cases of public mass rapes is extremely shocking, stated Pramila Patten, UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, condemning the RSF’s systematic use of sexual violence in El Fasher and Bara, North Kordofan.
- The UN Human Rights Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the atrocities in and around El Fasher.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 13 November)
- The Libyan authorities have been unable to effectively combat human trafficking and smuggling, with thousands of refugees and migrants being trapped in a human trafficking for ransom cycle, where they face torture and abuse until family members have paid money, states a new report by CNN.
- The investigation highlights the complexity of trafficking and smuggling networks and challenges in prosecution of perpetrators, adding that “when the traffickers are stopped, it’s usually because of luck, not advanced police work”.
- Two alleged human traffickers, Tewelde Goitim “Walid”, and Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam, are currently facing trial in The Netherlands.
- The head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, has urged for a ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to assist civilians trapped in El Fasher, Sudan, adding that the aid workers face significant risks that hinder their ability to support those in need.
- 39,000 people have been displaced in North Kordofan between 26 October and 9 November amid escalating fighting, with displaced populations in camps reportedly facing increasing security risks including arbitrary detention, looting, physical assault, and gender-based violence, reports IOM.
Links of interest
RSF accepts Quartet ceasefire terms as Sudan’s army digs in
UN presses Sudan for humanitarian access as government rejects Quartet ceasefire
Army repels ground attack on Babanusa amid RSF reinforcements
People face extreme malnutrition in Sudan’s protracted crisis
‘These atrocities were preventable’: UN-backed investigator on Sudan’s El Fasher
UN Rights Body Set to Hold Urgent Session on Sudan
South Sudan president sacks powerful vice president Bol Mel
Former VP Bol Mel placed under house arrest
South Sudan president sacks vice president, removes him from party leadership, army ranks roles
Ethiopian Human Rights Council On The Massacre Of Orthodox In Arsi
Ethiopian Defense Force Claims “44 Shene Group Members Killed”
G7 condemns RSF attacks on civilians in Sudan, urges immediate ceasefire
UN Relief Chief meets senior officials and humanitarian partners
UN reports public mass rapes in El Fasher
UN Rights Body Set to Hold Urgent Session on Sudan
How traffickers deep in the Sahara are extorting ransom payments from refugees’ families
IOM Chief warns of imminent catastrophe as displacement surges in North Darfur
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.