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 3 October)
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) members have been accused of executing young men in Al-Halfaya suburb in Khartoum. In a widely circulated video, men in army uniforms are seen shooting dozens of men accused of working with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The area was recently retaken by SAF.
- People attempting to flee El Fasher are subjected to increasingly higher fees demanded by armed militants at checkpoints. The fees are too high for many people to afford.
- On other routes, bandits and armed groups target civilian convoys. In addition, fleeing civilians are threatened by shelling.
- SAF states that it has captured a key RSF base in North Darfur, the Bir Maza base.
Situation in South Sudan (per 3 October)
- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has dismissed the security chief Akol Koor Kuc, who led the internal security bureau of the National Security Service (NSS) since 2011. He was replaced by Kiir’s close ally, Akec Tong Aleu.
- Analysts state that the decision reflects the power struggle in the South Sudanese government.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 3 October)
- Fighting is escalating in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Particularly intensive fighting took place in Gondar.
- Fano militia took over the city from the control of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) for almost 4 days, before withdrawing again.
- This week, intense fighting took place around Lalibela and Lasta. The Lalibela airport was closed during the fighting, but has since reopened.
- Fano militia have taken strategic positions around Lalibela, which have not yet been retaken by ENDF.
- ENDF published a strongly worded statement on Fano, stating that ENDF has been soft on Fano in order to proceed into negotiations, but that it now observes that Fano and the people of Amhara are not open to negotiations, and threatened an all-out assault on Fano.
- Mass arbitrary detentions, including of Amhara academics, have intensified in the region since 28 September. Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International that the ENDF and the police came with lists to arrest hundreds of civilians, without search or arrest warrants.
- Communications were shut down in major parts of Amhara in the beginning of the week, and remained shut down in many areas.
- The increased insecurity in Amhara is severely restricting access to health facilities and imposing restrictions on movement, warns the World Health Organization.
- Ethiopian bondholders have rejected the Ethiopian government debt restructuring plan for its 1 billion USD bond, stating that “a haircut of the 2024 Notes principal claim is wholly inconsistent with the Committee’s evaluation of Ethiopia’s economic fundamentals”.
Situation in Tigray (per 3 October)
- Gold mining, including illegal mining, is at the heart of the conflict in the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), in the context of which 16 members, including Tigray Interim Administration head Getachew Reda, were expelled last week.
- Control over mining operations, much of which are currently illegal, is crucial for Tigray’s economy, states Africa Intelligence.
- Two protesters reportedly died in Alamata during a protest against the reopening of schools. The protesters wanted the schools to stay closed until the conflict in Amhara is resolved.
- Witnesses stated that gunmen, reported to be affiliated with Tigray forces, opened fire on the protesters.
International Situation (per 3 October)
- The UN Security Council (UNSC)is holding an open briefing followed by closed consultations on Somalia today. It is likely the last UNSC meeting on Somalia before the end of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
- The Canadian Foreign Interference Commission held public hearings, among others on the issue of foreign interference of Eritrea, to hear about the impact on Canada’s democracy and the experiences of diaspora communities.
- Turkey has started an exploration of oil and natural gas off Somalia’s coast. The mission was initiated following a bilateral agreement signed in March 2024.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 3 October)
- United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer travelled to Brussels, where he called for closer cooperation with the EU on among others migration.
- 15 people, including three children, died off Djerba, Tunisia, trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea on Monday. 30 people have reportedly survived.
- The European Commission is planning to cut €2 billion in its development spending. In addition, from 2025 to 2027, the commission will cut funding to the lowest-income countries, according to internal documents.
- A recent audit of the European Union’s Emergency Trust for Africa, the EU’s major instrument for addressing migration, found that the programme exaggerated reports on its success.
- The audit states that despite eight years of implementation and 4.5 billion EUR spent, the fund is unable to say which approaches are the most effective and efficient.
- In addition, the audit found that there was no sufficient documentation and follow up on issues of human rights abuses.
- The EU has launched the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees together with Egypt and the UN. The programme was created to provide support to refugees and migrants in Egypt.
Links of interest
Sudanese army accused of executing civilians in Khartoum Bahri
‘In El Fasher you face only death’: Sudan city empties as paramilitaries close in
Sudan: Army claims seizure of strategic military base in North Darfur
South Sudan president dismisses long-serving security chief
Ethiopia: Mass arbitrary detentions in Amhara region deepen erosion of rule of law
Ethiopia Bondholders Say 18% Haircut Offer Isn’t Reasonable
Tigray gold fuels TPLF infighting
Ethiopia: Violence Erupts During School Protests in Alamata, Tigray
Somalia: Briefing and Consultations
Turkey embarks on oil and gas exploration off Somalia’s coast
PM goes to Brussels as he eyes closer UK-EU co-operation
Tunisia: 15 migrants die in shipwreck off Djerba
Official Launch of the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees
Devex Newswire: EU slashes funding to the world’s poorest
After 8 years, EU fund still does not know how to curb migration
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.