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 27 January)
- A drone strike on the Saudi Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur, killed over 70 people on Friday. The hospital is the only one that is still functioning in El Fasher.
- The drone strike hit the hospital’s emergency wing.
- UAE is now creating a new route for arms supplies to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) via the South Sudanese town of Aweil, sources state. It is reported that the UAE built a medical hospital and airport there, in similar fashion as it has in its alleged weapons trafficking route via Chad.
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visited the military headquarters in Khartoum, where he declared that SAF would “eradicate” the RSF.
- SAF gained control over a major oil refinery, al-Jaili oil, north of Khartoum. Satellite imagery shows that fires are burning at the refinery.
Situation in South Sudan (per 27 January)
- The curfew in South Sudan was lifted on Sunday, following the restoration of order after protests broke out last week, in which Sudanese people and their property were attacked in retaliation for the killings of South Sudanese people in Wad Madani, Sudan.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 27 January)
- A large group of officers from the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) issued a declaration on Thursday, stating that the Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) is illegitimate and measures will be undertaken to dissolve it. The declaration called for the establishment of a new administration.
- In the declaration, TDF leaders accuse the TIA of failing to fulfill its duties and failing to implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA).
- The TDF had so far been neutral in the conflict between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) factions of Debretsion Gebremichael and Getachew Reda, but has now largely sided with Debretsion.
- A minority in the TDF indicated that they disagree with the TDF declaration.
- The TIA responded by accusing the TDF of committing a soft coup and called the declaration unacceptable.
- The TIA met in an emergency meeting on 24 January. In conclusion, they stated that the declaration undermines the governance structures and divides the unity of Tigray people.
- Protests broke out in various locations in Tigray. Most protesters demonstrated against the continued occupation of Western Tigray and the slow progress in the implementation of the CoHA.
- People in Tigray are reported to be very worried about the situation.
- At least 115 civilians were killed by Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and Fano militia in the Amhara region between September and December 2024, states the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
- The EHRC states that it has only been able to record part of the human rights abuses in Amhara, due to the difficult conditions.
Situation in Eritrea (per 27 January)
- Abune Basilios I was consecrated as the sixth Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church on Sunday.
- The event was attended by all high-level officials in the Eritrean government, including President Isaias Afewerki.
Regional Situation (per 27 January)
- Eritrean state news outlet Tesfanews threatened that Eritrea would respond to Ethiopia’s hosting of the meeting by Eritrean opposition group Brigade N’Hamedu, which is held in Addis Ababa today. It further stated that the help to Eritrean opposition “will only hasten its [Ethiopia’s] disintegration”.
- The Somali government has approved the involvement of Egyptian Defense Forces in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Egypt requested participation in the mission through the African Union. The number of troops Egypt will contribute has not yet been disclosed.
- Kenya will not recognise any government formed by the RSF, states Sudan’s foreign minister after a visit to Kenya where he met with Kenyan President William Ruto. If confirmed, this is seen as a change of position, as Ruto has been accused of having ties with the RSF.
International Situation (per 27 January)
- The UK Parliament launched a call for evidence regarding transnational repression. The call includes among others information on how transnational repression impacts communities in the UK and which states are the main perpetrators of it, including what methods are used.
- The submission deadline for evidence is 24 February 2025.
- Italy states that it repatriated Libyan warlord Ossama Anjiem, also known as Ossama al-Masri, because of Italian state security reasons.
- Al-Masri is sought by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Mitiga prison in Libya starting in 2015.
- Two US lawmakers confirm that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is providing weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, based on a Biden Administration briefing and recent reporting. They state that the UAE continues to arm RSF, despite assurances to the US that it is not.
- The World Health Organization calls for an end to attacks on health facilities and health workers in Sudan, following the deadly drone attack on Saudi Hospital in El Fasher.
- Humanitarian and civil society organisations raised the alarm over the increase in attacks on critical civilian infrastructure.
- “Attacks on critical civilian infrastructure have severely disrupted access to clean water and electricity for millions of Sudanese,” warns the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Links of interest
WHO chief urges end to attacks on Sudan healthcare after 70 killed in drone strike
70 killed in RSF drone strike on Darfur hospital: Sudanese governor
Sudan’s army seizes full control of major oil refinery north of Khartoum
Sudan’s army chief visits recaptured HQ, vows to ‘eradicate’ RSF
South Sudan ends dusk-to-dawn curfew
Tigray Power Feud Escalates As Regional Military Disowns Interim Admin
Scores of Ethiopians die in long-running Amhara conflict, rights body says
Official Consecration of His Holiness Abune Basilios
Somalia approves Egypt’s participation in AUSSOM
Kenya reassesses Sudan stance, won’t back RSF-led government, Sudanese minister says
UK Parliament: Call for Evidence
Italy says expelled wanted Libyan warlord because he posed ‘danger’
Jacobs, Van Hollen Confirm UAE Providing Weapons to RSF in Sudan, in Contradiction to its Assurances to US
Statement from the INGO Forum in Sudan on Attacks on Critical Civilian Infrastructure
Sudan: Attacks on critical civilian infrastructure surge amid escalating fighting
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.