Situation Report: RSF and SAF fighting over control of Babanusa in West Kordofan, Kidnapping for ransom in Oromia, IDPs protest in Mekelle

Three days of severe fighting has been reported from Babanusa in West Kordofan, where Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a military offence against Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in order to capture their headquarters; An increasing number of people are kidnapped for ransom in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Victims are tortured until family members pay the ransoms; Internally displaced persons in Tigray held a peaceful protest in Mekelle yesterday calling for withdrawal of foreign forces from Tigray so as to be able to safely return to their home; and more.

News Highlights: Peace talks between Ethiopia and OLA fail, Mediterranean deaths at highest level since 2017, Russia weaponising migration

In this week’s news highlights: RSF takes over military bases in El Daein and Jebel Aulia; Humanitarian situation worsens amidst funding gap for refugees from Sudan; More details emerging about Ardamata massacre in Sudan; Negotiations between Ethiopian federal government and OLA failed; Medical supplies running out in Amhara; Advanced Turkish drones procured by Ethiopia; Floods continue to claim lives in the Horn, as northern Ethiopia faces drought; Dangerous migration routes to Arabian peninsula and South Africa; Red Sea access tensions continue; Families of migrants facing lack of news after Libya floods; Deaths at sea at highest level since 2017 due to ‘deliberate inaction’ by EU states; Far-right anti-immigration Wilders wins elections in The Netherlands; EU sends border guards to the Finnish border as Russia ‘weaponises’ migration; EU/Turkey High level dialogue on migration and security; French companies provide ships and training to the Egyptian coast guard; and Digital rights for refugees and migrants in EU not upheld.

News Highlights: US contractor accused of espionage for Ethiopia, Germany and Italy clash over migration deal, 2,500 deaths in Mediterranean in 2023

In this week’s News Highlights: US contractor originally from Ethiopia accused of espionage; Conflict in Amhara continues; Attacks against Masalit in Darfur killed thousands, states report; ICC’s responsibility to investigate ongoing violence in Sudan; Violence continues and education institutions damaged in Sudan; SAF leader Al-Burhan meets with Zelensky; Famine and disease spreads in Sudan; Statement released by TPLF urging for extension of ICHREE mandate; 1,329 deaths in Tigray related to hunger confirmed by research; Situation still dire after floods in Libya: Haftar meets Putin; Italy and Germany clash over European Pact on migration; Mediterranean 9 meeting about migration in Malta; ECJ rules that France cannot push back migrants at its borders; and EU starts releasing funds in EU-Tunisia deal.