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 11 February)
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) reportedly recaptured significant parts of Sudan’s capital, claiming to regain control over nearly all of Khartoum North from Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over the past days.
- Amid military gains, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced a plan for a transitional government that will lead the process towards free and fair elections.
- The proposed roadmap emphasizes the launch of national dialogue, the formation of a technocratic cabinet, and amendments to the Constitutional Document.
- The plan conditions a ceasefire upon the withdrawal of the RSF from Khartoum, West Kordofan, and the Darfur states. “Laying down arms and evacuating civilian objects are prerequisites for any talks with the rebels”, said the Ministry in a press statement.
- The Foreign Ministry called on the AU, UN, and Arab League for international diplomatic backing to support the roadmap and transitional process.
- The Coordination of the Civil Forces (Taqaddum) Coalition has officially dissolved due to internal disagreements over the proposal to create a parallel government in regions controlled by the RSF.
- Following a meeting that revealed differing opinions on governance and legitimacy, the coalition decided to separate into distinct factions, allowing each to pursue its own approach to achieving peace and democratic governance in Sudan.
- Limited cash availability has hampered the food distribution programmes for over a month, according to UN OCHA, affecting more than 4 million people. The liquidity crisis emerged after the Central Bank of Sudan introduced new banknotes in December 2024.
- The Sudanese Agency for Relief and Humanitarian Operations (SARHO), which has been allied with the RSF, continues to impose bureaucratic obstacles that hinder delivery of humanitarian assistance, said the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami.
- Nkweta-Salami called on SARHO to remove these barriers, ensure the safety of aid workers, streamline processes, and cease interference with humanitarian operations.
Situation in South Sudan (per 11 February)
- South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has dismissed Vice Presidents James Wani Igga and Hussein Abdelbagi, along with National Security Service head Akech Tong Aleu, appointing new officials in their places.
- While no specific reasons were given for the removals of the officials, Vice Presidents’ posts were replaced by Benjamin Bol Mel and Josephine Lago Yang.
- The mediation team for the Tumaini Initiative in Nairobi, responsible for South Sudan’s peace negotiations, has paused talks to allow the South Sudanese government delegation to return to Juba in preparation of the upcoming start of the extension of transitional period due to start on 22 February.
- It is not clear for how long the Tumaini mediation talks will be adjourned.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 11 February)
- The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has proposed a new bill that aims to prevent government offices from directly deducting political party membership fees from employee salaries.
- The draft amendment further allows for general elections to be held at different times within Ethiopia if simultaneous voting across all regions is not feasible due to various circumstances such as “security problems, epidemics, [and] natural disasters”.
- Former Ethiopian opposition politician Ato Lidetu Ayalew has claimed he was barred from returning to Ethiopia despite having a valid passport and a confirmed flight, citing a travel ban imposed by the Ethiopian Embassy in the US.
- Lidetu, who had been imprisoned in the past for connection to protests following the assassination of singer Hachalu Hundessa, was accused by Ethiopian Joint Security and Intelligence Task Force in 2023 of “working to overthrow the constitutional order by force and operating within terrorist groups”.
- Fighting between Fano militia and Ethiopian National Defense Forces was reported across several areas in the Amhara region, including Wanzaye, Quara and Minjar Shewa, according to local news.
- Awelu Abdi, the Vice President of Oromia Regional State, announced that approximately 900,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned home, with efforts underway to repatriate IDPs in the region by the end of this year.
Situation in Somalia (per 11 February)
- An airstrike in the Bari region, Somalia, reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 13 foreign ISIS fighters as part of a broader counterterrorism operation targeting terrorist hideouts.
- Somalia is facing worsening drought conditions due to prolonged dry weather and poor rainfall between October and December 2024, affecting many regions across the country, warns UN OCHA.
- With projections indicating below-normal rainfall for the upcoming season and rising temperatures, urgent humanitarian assistance is needed to address escalating food insecurity and malnutrition as approximately 4.4 million people are already experiencing acute food shortages.
International Situation (per 11 February)
- A diplomatic delegation from EU, UK, US, Italy, Germany, Denmark, and France, arrived in Mekelle today, to engage with the Tigray Interim Regional Administration regarding the implementation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities agreement and the region’s current challenges.
- Sudan’s government has criticized the UAE for attempting to organize a conference on Sudan during the upcoming AU summit, labeling it as an “all-out aggression” and filing a formal complaint with the UN Security Council over the UAE’s military support for the RSF.
- The Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals called on the US President to prioritize security and stability in the Horn of Africa, calling for the withdrawal of Amhara and Eritrean forces from Tigray, the return of displaced Tigrayans, and assistance in restoring essential services and ensuring peace.
Links of interest
Sudan army nears biggest victory of civil war with assault on capital
The Republic of Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sudan army plans new government as it advances in capital
Sudan’s ‘Tagadum’ coalition officially dissolved over parallel government plan
Sudan Humanitarian Update (1 – 31 January 2025)
South Sudan’s president dismisses 2 vice presidents, national security chief
Tumaini Initiative talks adjourned
Fano Update: Fighting Reported in Many Areas of the Amhara Region of Ethiopia
የመንግሥት መሥሪያ ቤቶች ከሠራተኞች ደመወዝ የፓርቲ አባልነት መዋጮ እንዳይቆርጡ የሚከለክል ረቂቅ ሕግ ተዘጋጀ
Politician Ato Lidetu Ayalew says, “I have been denied entry to my country.”
News: Oromia Vice President says efforts underway to make region “free of IDPs” by year-end
Somalia Monthly Humanitarian Update, January 2025
Airstrike in Somalia’s Puntland kills over 13 foreign Daesh fighters
Sudan slams UAE’s efforts to hold Sudan meeting in Ethiopia
X: Global Society of Tigray Scholars & Professionals
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.