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 10 March)
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have taken control of the East Nile district. The fighting is now focused on the remaining Rapid Support Forces (RSF) strongholds in Khartoum and Omdurman.
- There is evidence of a mass grave site north of Khartoum close to the village of Garri. The area was recently taken back by the SAF after having been under RSF control for almost two years. Satellite images show that the graves were not there before RSF occupied the site.
- There was a detention centre at the base, and examination of the detainees – all civilians – by doctors found evidence of torture and starvation. A large burial site nearby contained at least 550 unmarked graves, with some graves reportedly containing multiple bodies.
- Survivors of the detention centre recount being tortured and starved.
- Intense bombing of El Obeid city in North Kordofan by the RSF killed seven people on Sunday.
- The cities of Kosti and Rabak in the White Nile state are facing a cholera outbreak of thousands of cases and nearly 100 confirmed deaths in the past two weeks. The outbreak peak was so severe that the cholera treatment centre (CTC) ran out of space.
- The outbreak was caused by a suspected drone attack on the Um Dabaker Power Station which disabled water stations. The community is now relying mainly on water from donkey carts.
Situation in South Sudan (per 10 March)
- A United Nations crew member and a South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) commander were among approximately 27 soldiers that died on Friday morning after a UN helicopter was fired upon during a mission to evacuate SSPDF soldiers and their commander.
- The evacuation mission set off from Nasir following clashes between SSPDF and the White Army.
- South Sudan is on the precipice of another war, warns the International Crisis Group. Following the capturing of an army base in Nasir by the White Army (mostly Nuer youth), which has ties to Riek Machar, President Salva Kiir arrested some of Machar’s top allies.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 10 March)
- Tigrayans are suffering under large inflation and unemployment. Most households in Mekelle get water no more than once a month, sources on the ground report.
- Inhabitants of Tigray feel more confident that there will be no imminent war and are returning money they withdrew back to the bank, sources from the ground report. Tigrayans are generally fed up with the tensions between the two factions of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
- Camps for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) continue to exist in Tigray, hosting especially people from Western Tigray.
- Traded goods need to come through the Afar region, as various Fano groups have established checkpoints where they levy taxes, especially high taxes on grain.
Regional & International Situation (per 10 March)
- Growing tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea risk escalating into a full-blown military conflict, warns the Clingendael Institute.
- Clingendael warns that the nationwide military mobilisation in Eritrea combined with the rising tensions with Ethiopia form a dangerous combination. Regional and international actors should push for de-escalation, it states.
- The tensions are also complicated by the split in the TPLF, states The Continent, which dedicated its cover to the growing tensions.
- The Sudanese regional government in Al-Jazirah state says it has deported 3,000 South Sudanese people. The deportees were taken to the Joda crossing in White Nile state.
- The Sudanese government accused some South Sudanese people of fighting alongside the RSF. The Sudanese army is reported to have killed South Sudanese people following the takeover of Wad Madani in January.
- Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir spoke to each other on the phone on Sunday evening to discuss the unrest. Both stressed the importance of maintaining security and stability.
- Ethiopian airforces were deployed on Friday to perform airstrikes on al-Shabaab positions in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region. They were carried out with approval and full coordination from the Somali authorities, stated Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur.
- The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Revolutionary Democratic Current (SPLM-RDC), Yasir Arman, was released on Thursday after having been briefly detained in Kenya. He stated that the charges against him by authorities in Port Sudan were “purely political”.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 10 March)
- One of Turkey’s largest defence firms, Baykar, is accused of violating the sanctions on Darfur, Sudan, by supplying arms to the SAF.
- The weapons were reportedly part of a $120 million deal between Baykar and Sudanese military procurement agency Defense Industries System (DIS). The deal included in-country technical support.
- The United States ordered the departure of non-emergency staff from South Sudan’s capital of Juba, warning of an increase in violent crime, kidnappings and armed conflict.
- Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh travelled to Saudi Arabia and delivered a message from Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
- The Italian top appeals court ruled that the Italian government must pay compensation to an Eritrean refugee who was held on an Italian coast guard ship for 10 days in 2018.
- The refugee commented that he was not looking for compensation, but rather for justice over being detained without having committed a crime, and being prevented from seeking asylum.
Links of interest
Sudan army gains full control of East Nile
Evidence of torture found as detention centre and mass grave discovered outside Khartoum
Shelling kills 7 in Sudan city retaken by army
Thousands of cholera patients treated in Sudan’s White Nile State
Attack on power plant causes wave of cholera in Kosti
SSPDF commander, UN crew killed in Nasir
South Sudan general among dozens killed in attack on UN helicopter
South Sudan on the Precipice of Renewed Full-blown War
A dangerous frenemy: Averting a showdown between Eritrea and Ethiopia
Sudan’s Al-Jazirah state deports 3,000 South Sudanese
Sudan, South Sudan discuss unrest after UN helicopter downed
Somalia: Ethiopian Military Carry Out Rare Airstrikes Targeting Al-Shabaab in Somalia
Sudanese pro-democracy leader Arman released after brief detention in Kenya
Turkish defence firm accused of violating sanctions with Sudan weapons supplies
US orders non-emergency staff to leave South Sudan amid tensions
Eritrea: Minister Osman Saleh Delivers Message of President Isaias
Italy government furious as court orders compensation for sea migrant
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.