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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 30 January)
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) made significant progress in central and southern Khartoum Bahri, recently regaining control of key locations, including the oil refinery and the Signal Corps headquarters, while pushing back the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
- The presence of RSF is now reportedly confined to primarily the southwestern area of Khartoum Bahri.
- The UN strongly condemned the recent attack on the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, Darfur, which resulted in the deaths of over 70 individuals.
- “This appalling attack which affected the only functioning hospital in Darfur’s largest city comes after more than 21 months of war have left much of Sudan’s healthcare system in tatters”, according to the statement by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Situation in South Sudan (per 30 January)
- A plane crash in South Sudan resulted in the deaths of 20 oil workers, with only one survivor, shortly after takeoff near Unity State while en route to Juba on Wednesday.
- With the cause of the crash being under investigation, five victims have been identified as foreign nationals and fifteen as South Sudanese.
- The National Communications Authority (NCA) in South Sudan has lifted the week-long ban on Facebook and TikTok, which was implemented to address concerns over inflammatory content that could incite violence.
- The ban was adopted last week following violent riots triggered by reported killings of South Sudanese nationals in Sudan.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 30 January)
- The Ethiopian House of Peoples’ Representatives has appointed Ato Berhanu Adelo as the new Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) during its session today, following the end of term of his predecessor Dr. Daniel Bekele.
- Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the suspension of two major human rights organisations by Ethiopian authorities as part of a broader pattern of repression against rights groups in Ethiopia.
- Urging the government to reverse its decisions, the HRW warned that such measures threaten independent scrutiny and accountability in the country.
- Amnesty International has called for urgent international intervention to address the ongoing mass arbitrary detentions in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, which have persisted since September 2024, affecting thousands without legal justification.
- “Keeping thousands of people locked up for months without charge or trial is a travesty of justice and a blatant human rights violation”, says Amnesty’s statement.
- Twenty Karrayyu Gadaa leaders and community elders, who had been missing for 21 days after their arrest in the Fentalle district, were released on Sunday, and returned to their families.
- Their detention, which took place at a military camp without any charges, is believed to be linked to their refusal to integrate armed Oromo Liberation Army members into their community.
- A senior clergyman of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Belay Mekonnen, was sentenced to five years in prison and a fine for his role in an attempted financial fraud involving over $6 million from an African Union account. Two other defendants received shorter sentences and fines.
Regional & International Situation (per 30 January)
- The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has urged the Sudanese authorities to take decisive action regarding the ICC warrants, including among others the one against former President Omar Al Bashir, emphasizing the need to fulfill the promises made to victims in Darfur.
- In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Khan highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region, marked by increasing violence, famine, and targeted attacks on civilians.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under judicial investigation for her role in the unexpected release of Osama Elmasry Najim, a Libyan citizen wanted by the ICC for war crimes.
- Najim was released due to a legal technicality, which the ICC claimed was acted upon without their consultation. Meloni stated that he was subsequently expelled from Italy to prevent him from remaining on Italian soil, a decision that has been criticised by opposition groups and human rights organizations.
- Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is set to visit Ethiopia on February 8 and 9, 2025, for high-level discussions with the country’s leadership and stakeholders.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 30 January)
- Humanitarian organizations are urging the international community to increase support as Chad struggles to provide appropriate assistance to refugees who had arrived from Sudan, amid the US freeze of foreign assistance, jeopardizing relief efforts.
- “The world’s largest humanitarian crisis doesn’t stop at Sudan’s borders,” said Amadou Bocoum, Country Director of CARE in Chad.
- Norway’s Minister of Justice, Emilie Mehl, emphasized the need for all irregular migrants, including Ethiopians, to return home swiftly, as the government seeks to enhance collaboration with their countries of origin. Norway and the EU previously imposed stricter visa requirements for Ethiopians.
- The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, indicated that the EU may reconsider increased funding for border fences in light of “the fighting against illegal migration”. Announcement comes amid rising pressure from right-wing groups advocating for support for external border projects.
- Italy resumed transportation of migrants and refugees to centres in Albania to process asylum claims despite Italian courts halted previous two attempts of the controversial offshoring asylum policy.
Links of interest
Sudanese army advances in Khartoum Bahri, pushing back RSF
UN condemns attack on Saudi hospital in Sudan
One survivor as 20 killed in South Sudan plane crash
South Sudan lifts ban on Facebook and TikTok
Appointment of Chief Commissioner for the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
Ethiopia: Key Rights Groups Suspended
Ethiopia: Urgent international action needed to end mass arbitrary detentions in the Amhara Region
Twenty Karrayyu Gadaa leaders, community elders released after three weeks of detention
Sudan says surrender of ICC suspects requires post-transition legal framework
ICC to pursue arrest warrants over atrocities in Sudan’s West Darfur region
US Envoy to UNSC: ‘America does not support any party in Sudan war’
IMF chief to visit Ethiopia for high-level engagements
Italy’s PM investigated over release of Libyan war crimes suspect
‘The world’s largest humanitarian crisis doesn’t stop at Sudan’s borders…’
War in Sudan: Nearly one million people forcibly displaced to Chad
Sudanese Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Libya – 27 Jan 2025
Norwegian Foreign Minister Calls for Return of Irregular Migrants, Including Ethiopians
Migration Commissioner open to EU finance for border walls and fences
Italy resumes policy of sending its unwanted migrants to Albania
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.