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Situation in Sudan (per 24 February)
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) signed a charter with allied forces to form a parallel government. According to RSF, the government will be announced from within Sudan in the next few days.
- Among the signatories is Abdelaziz al-Hilu from Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, who holds large parts of territory and troops in South Kordofan state and some parts of Blue Nile state. Al-Hilu had previously been fighting against both RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
- The SAF broke the RSF siege over El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State, by establishing control over key entry points east of El Obeid.
- The operation was attributed to SAF collaborating with the Joint Forces and local resistance forces. The Al Sayyad (Hunter) Axis reportedly spearheaded the operation, which broke through RSF defenses.
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced that it will stop its activities in the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, as the conditions have become too dangerous due to ongoing attacks.
- MSF received 139 patients, mostly suffering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds, in the first three weeks of February, while the team is only equipped to help with famine-related conditions. Eleven patients, of whom five children, have died in the MSF hospital as they could not be properly treated or transferred.
- The situation for people in Zamzam has worsened further as the central market has been looted and burnt down.
- The rapidly worsening cholera outbreak in Kosti, White Nile state, has overwhelmed the main hospital. 1,409 cases were reported in three days. The health ministry reports 58 deaths, while the Sudan Doctors Network states that 83 people have died from the outbreak.
- SAF captured the town of Soba, east of Khartoum, today. SAF and allied forces are now advancing to Soba bridge, and state they have already partially seized control over the bridge.
- SAF also captured Alkotainh town in the White Nile State in southern Sudan. This was the only town controlled by RSF in southern Sudan.
Situation in South Sudan (per 24 February)
- The Tumaini peace talks between the South Sudan government and opposition groups, held in Kenya, have been suspended until next month by Kenyan President William Ruto.
- The break was requested by the South Sudan government delegations for consultations.
- Schools in South Sudan have closed for two weeks amidst a heat wave. The Deputy Minister for Education stated that an average of 12 students have been collapsing in Juba every day due to the heat.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 24 February)
- The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) announced they want to work towards a ‘Transitional National Unity Government of Oromia’ .
- The Tigray Interim Administration accused some leaders within the Tigray military forces of working to dismantle local government structures, as security forces allegedly forcefully attempted to seize a kebele administration stamp in the Seharti district.
Situation in Eritrea (per 24 February)
- Eritreans who were ready to travel have been denied exit under new guidelines restricting anyone under the age of 70 from leaving the country.
- This comes as Eritrea reportedly instructed regional administrations to re-enlist all under-60s for military training. Reports published by the BBC state this includes married women and women with children.
- Fear amongst Eritreans is increasing amidst the strong push for recruitment, as many are concerned Eritrea may be preparing for another armed conflict.
Regional Situation (per 24 February)
- The Sudanese foreign ministry stated it had recalled the Sudanese ambassador to Kenya, Kamal Jabara on Thursday, in protest to Kenya hosting RSF and allied forces in meetings in which it produced and signed a charter to establish a parallel government.
- The Sudanese government accused Kenyan President William Ruto of prioritising his personal and commercial interests over the bilateral relations with Sudan.
- Kenya is reportedly close to securing a $1.5 billion loan from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for stabilising Kenya’s economic situation. The loan is expected to be agreed on this week. The money will reportedly be distributed in one chunk.
- Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia are impoverished and even imprisoned due to their inability to pay the expensive visa fees.
- Sudanese refugees living outside of refugee camps, which they had previously received exemption for, have to pay $100 to renew their visas every month since October 2024, plus $10 per day in fines if they miss a payment.
- Somalia and Ethiopia signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) for the Ethiopian forces which will operate in Somalia. They also agreed on the deployment of Ethiopian forces as part of AUSSOM.
- This followed a visit to Mogadishu by Ethiopian Army Chief Field Marshal General Birhanu Jula and Ethiopian Intelligence Chief Redwan Hussein.
International Situation (per 24 February)
- Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that Egypt rejects the formation of a parallel government by RSF and allied forces, and expressed its support for “the legitimate government”.
- The documentary “Khartoum” won the peace film prize of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). The documentary tells the story of five Sudanese people living through the Sudanese war.
- The absence of impartial guarantors in the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement is hindering its implementation, according to a report by the African Union.
Links of interest
Sudan army breaks RSF siege of El Obeid
Sudan’s RSF, allied groups sign charter to form parallel government
Sudan: MSF forced to halt our activities as violence engulfs Zamzam camp in North Darfur
Cholera outbreak surges in Sudan’s Kosti, leaving hospitals overwhelmed
Sudan’s army advances on Khartoum amid fighting with paramilitary RSF
Sudanese army claims partial control of key Khartoum bridge
Kenya President suspends South Sudan mediation talks
Heat wave forces South Sudan to close schools for two weeks
ኤርትራ፡ ‘ዝወጽኡ ሓደስቲ መምርሒታት’ ኣብ ህዝቢ ሻቕሎት ይፈጥሩ
Sudan recalls Kenya envoy, accuses Ruto of undermining ties
Kenya reportedly close to securing $1.5 billion from the UAE
Sudanese refugees imprisoned and impoverished by Ethiopian visa policy
Somalia and Ethiopia to Sign a Status of Forces Agreement
Egypt rejects rival authority in Sudan, backs military-led government
40. Friedensfilmpreis an „Khartoum“
Absence of impartial guarantors hampers Pretoria agreement implementation: AU report
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