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Situation in South Sudan (per 27 March)
- South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar was arrested by President Salva Kiir last night. The arrest reportedly occurred after Machar refused to resign.
- Machar issued a public letter calling for the UN, African Union and IGAD to intervene over the deployment of and airstrikes by Ugandan troops in South Sudan.
- Machar’s house was stormed by security forces, led by the defense minister, army chief, and the head of the National Security Service (NSS), Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) sources stated. It is reported that Machar is currently under house arrest.
- Machar’s wife and interior minister of South Sudan, Angelina Teny, was also arrested.
- SPLM-IO officials warn that the arrest of Machar means the collapse of the 2018 peace agreement. It strongly condemned what it called “unconstitutional actions” surrounding the arrest.
- The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) urges all parties to exercise restraint as South Sudan stands on the “brink of relapsing into widespread conflict”.
- Earlier on Wednesday, Salva Kiir ordered the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and allied Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to immediately stop all attacks and military operations.
- Norway relocated its embassy staff to Nairobi amidst a temporary closure of the Norwegian embassy in South Sudan. The EU embassy reduced its staff.
- SPLM-IO protested strikes by the SSPDF against one of its army bases in Wunaliet late Monday.
- Clashes broke out in Tonga, Upper Nile state, between Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the SSPDF forces on Tuesday evening, a local official reports.
Situation in Sudan (per 27 March)
- Dozens of civilians have reportedly died after a SAF strike hit a crowded market in Tora, North Darfur, on Monday. The Darfur Initiative for Justice and Peace states that the bombing is the deadliest single bombing since the start of the war. SAF denied targeting civilians.
- The total death toll is still unclear, with reports ranging from around 60 up to 270 dead.
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced on Wednesday that they have recaptured Sudan’s capital of Khartoum, after gaining control over Khartoum’s International Airport and the palace. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) still hold some positions in the city.
- Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan arrived in Khartoum on Wednesday, celebrating the SAF victory.
- SAF shelled southern Omdurman today, according to residents. Witnesses state that some of the RSF forces retreating from Khartoum have fortified RSF positions in Omdurman, while others left for Darfur.
- RSF is reportedly shelling SAF positions in El Fasher, North Darfur, today.
Situation in Tigray (per 27 March)
- Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed called on Tigrayans to submit proposals, via e-mail, for a new interim President of the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (TIRA), who will be appointed by Abiy.
- The mandate of the TIRA will be extended by one year, until elections can be held. PM Abiy confirmed officially that Getachew Reda will be departing from the position of interim President.
- Debretsion’s faction of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) protested that according to the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, the appointment of the TIRA is not the sole responsibility of Abiy, but is supposed to be an agreement between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF.
- HIV rates in Tigray have doubled since the start of the Tigray war, from around 1.4% to 3%. Among sexual violence survivors, the rate is 8.6%. Treatment options are severely lacking.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 27 March)
- The war between Fano militia and Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) further escalated in the Amhara region, as several Fano militias launched “Operation Unity”. The militia targeted Ethiopian military installations across Gojjam, Gondar and Wollo.
Regional & International Situation (per 27 March)
- The German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office searched 19 houses in connection to membership of the Eritrean opposition movement ‘Brigade N’Hamedu’. They are targeting 17 people who are “suspected of forming and/or membership of a domestic terrorist organisation”.
- One house in Denmark was also searched. No arrests have been made so far.
- The Brigade N’Hamedu members are accused of organising violence in the protests against the festivals organised by the Eritrean government, which are seen by the Eritrean community as threatening propaganda events meant to gather support for the Eritrean government repression.
- Chadian citizens are fearful of conflict as tensions rise between Sudan and Chad. SAF have threatened to attack Chad as it accuses it of supporting RSF.
- Azerbaijan announced the release of 18 of its citizens from ships that were detained by Eritrea since November 2024. The ships entered Eritrean waters amidst worsening weather conditions, after trying unsuccessfully to contact Eritrean authorities.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 27 March)
- Poland temporarily suspended the right of seeking asylum for refugees and migrants arriving in Poland via its border with Belarus.
- The suspension was announced after President Andrzej Duda signed into law a Bill which allows Polish authorities to suspend the right of asylum for up to 60 days at a time. The government previously said this would only be implemented against people posing a threat to state security.
- Refugees are organising a demonstration in Brussels, Belgium, on 10 April between 12:00 and 14:00 CEST. Refugees will protest against the migration policies of the European Union, which they state are costing the refugee lives, and the situation of refugees in Libya.
Links of interest
South Sudan’s Kiir arrests deputy Machar in another blow to peace deal
VP’s arrest ends South Sudan peace deal, his party says
UN Mission urges restraint as South Sudan crisis deepens
South Sudan President Kiir orders immediate halt to military operations
Norway Temporarily Closes Its Embassy in South Sudan
Kenya to Send Specialised Police to South Sudan Hours After Riek Machar’s Arrest
South Sudan opposition decries strike as US warns of rise in violence
South Sudan: SSPDF, SPLA-IO Clash in Upper Nile State
Sudans Staatschef verkündet Befreiung der Hauptstadt Khartum
Sudan’s army shells Omdurman in push to oust RSF from capital region
More than 50 civilians die in Darfur market strike blamed on Sudan’s military
Sudan army accused of killing hundreds in airstrike on Darfur market
Ethiopia PM seeks new Tigray leader amid fears of war
HIV soars after a deadly war in Ethiopia’s Tigray. Trump’s aid cuts aren’t helping
PM Abiy confirms Getachew’s departure as Tigray interim president with call for replacement
Chadian civilians fear becoming the first victims of Sudan-Chad conflict
Azerbaijan announces return of 18 citizens from detained vessels in Eritrea
Poland suspends migrants’ right to apply for asylum
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.