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Situation in Sudan (per 23 September)
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have entered into the central areas of El Fasher amid intense fighting. The latest wave of attacks is described as a “full scale assault” by the UN.
- RSF overran several key positions of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) near the city’s Grand Market, which is close to the 6th Infantry Division headquarters, on Thursday.
- Satellite images show that the headquarters are now encircled by RSF on the north, east, and southeast. Satellite images also show a considerable expansion in gravesites, which may indicate a high number of deaths among SAF and allied forces, states the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab.
- Heavy shelling has caused widespread destruction in the city. Former residents report that civilian houses in the south of El Fasher have been almost entirely destroyed.
- 14 civilian deaths were confirmed on Saturday, but the real number of victims is much higher.
- 401 new cases of cholera, including six deaths, were recorded in Kassala, El-Gedaref, the Red Sea, the Northern State and the Nile River, states the Sudanese Ministry of Health.
- Ousted Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir has reportedly been transferred to Merowe in Northern State for medical treatment, along with some of his co-defendants.
Situation in South Sudan (per 23 September)
- South Sudan is facing extremely high inflation – many businesses and NGOs are forced to close, as many are not able to pay the bills and wages.
- In response, the rate of crime in South Sudan is increasing. Juba in particular is increasingly dangerous.
- Suicide rates, especially among young people, are increasing; drug abuse is also increasing.
Situation in Tigray (per 23 September)
- There is an increase in abductions by Eritrean forces in the Gulomakeda district of Tigray, residents report. Witnesses state that the troops target mostly young people.
- Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) troops withdrew from the area two weeks ago.
- People do not leave their houses past 6PM out of fear, witnesses state. They also report a lack of basic necessities, including water, electricity, and healthcare.
- Eritrean forces continue to occupy parts of northern Tigray, including Zalambessa town, Irob, Egela, and Adiyabo, states the Irob Anina Civil Society.
- Eritrean forces also set up a new checkpoint outside of Zalambessa which is reportedly located 37 kilometres from Adigrat, unconfirmed reports state.
- Getachew Reda made a statement declaring that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) group under the leadership of Debretsion is making moves towards a coup d’etat. He accused Debretsion of aiming to destroy the government structure of Tigray.
- This comes as Debretsion issued a statement expelling 16 central committee members, including Getachew, from any government role representing the TPLF. However, the decision was taken without the support from the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 23 September)
- Fighting took place between Fano militia and ENDF forces last week in and around Gondar, in Amhara.
- Fano forces reportedly took control over a number of districts, including the towns of Dabat and Debark. They also took control over large parts of Gondar, before withdrawing. Heavy weaponry used by ENDF to rebuff the attack reportedly killed at least 20 civilians.
- 76,345 people were displaced in the Amhara region of Ethiopia in the last four months alone, warns the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The majority of those have not integrated in local communities, but are housed in overcrowded collective centres.
Regional Situation (per 23 September)
- The government of Somalia accused Ethiopia of sending ammunition to Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia.
- The statement by the Somali government states that it has documented evidence that Ethiopia sent two lorries with weapons to the region, calling it “a clear breach of Somalia’s territorial sovereignty.”
- A second shipment of weapons was delivered by Egypt to Somalia via an Egyptian warship on Sunday. Somali security forces blocked roads on Sunday and Monday to transport the weapons to military bases and a ministry of defence building.
- The Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu warned its citizens against travelling to Somaliland, due to the deteriorating security situation, and instructed citizens currently there to leave as soon as possible.
- Eritrea and Egypt are exploring a military cooperation deal and sharing of intelligence, sources told UAE state-owned media The National.
International Situation (per 23 September)
- The European Union condemned the escalation of fighting in El Fasher in a statement by the European External Action Service (EEAS). In the statement, the EU demanded that “the RSF halt the siege and de-escalate fighting in El Fasher immediately.”
- The EU warned that it stands ready to implement further sanctions and use international accountability mechanisms to hold perpetrators to account, as “the EU will not bear witness to another genocide”.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave alarm at the escalation of fighting in El Fasher. He called for a ceasefire in all of Sudan’s conflict zones.
- Eritreans in the city of Bologna, Italy, organised a protest on Sunday against human rights violations committed by the Eritrean regime inside Eritrea.
- The governments of Norway, UK and the US blame the extension of the elections in South Sudan on “persistent and collective failure of South Sudan’s leaders” in a joint statement.
- The statement acknowledges that elections cannot take place in December, but warns that “we cannot in good conscience endorse the extension of a status quo that prioritises the privileges of the elite over the welfare of the South Sudanese people”.
Links of interest
‘Barely anyone left’: Sudan’s El-Fasher devastated by fighting
Intense fighting in central El Fasher
401 new cholera cases in 5 Sudan states
Deposed Sudan dictator Al Bashir ‘moved to Merowe for medical treatment’
Fears of “coup d’etat” in the Tigray region of Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s Amhara rebels beat hasty retreat from fighting
Ethiopia’s Amhara: Surge in IDPs worries UN
Somalia condemns unlawful arms shipment from Ethiopia to Puntland State
Egyptian warship delivers arms to Somalia, officials say
Egypt warns citizens against travelling to Somaliland region
Egypt and Eritrea explore possible military deal amid regional tension
Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on the situation in El Fasher
Sudan: UN urges immediate action to stop fighting in El Fasher
Joint Statement from Troika Capitals on South Sudan
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.