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 26 September)
- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched a large-scale attack on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum on Wednesday, targeting RSF’s strategic areas with airstrikes and ground operations in the centre, west, and south of the capital.
- SAF reportedly took control over three main bridges that lead towards Khartoum, including two that connect Omdurman and Khartoum.
- At least four people were reportedly killed and 14 others injured during attacks in the north of Omdurman led by the RSF on Thursday.
- An airstrike by the SAF destroyed Nyala International Airport in South Darfur, damaging the main terminal and VIP halls and impacting transport facilities of the airport.
- Even though the airport has not been operating flights since the start of the Sudan conflict, an unknown aircraft reportedly landed at Nyala Airport on Saturday. Attempts to reopen the airport for humanitarian purposes are reportedly being negotiated.
- Pregnant, birthing, and postpartum women and children “are dying in shocking numbers” of preventable conditions in South Darfur due to a lack of medical services, exacerbated by ongoing conflict, reports Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
- Cultural site of ancient ruins of Naga has been broken into and remains unprotected, according to the Munich Museum of Egyptian Art. Sudan’s cultural heritage has faced unprecedented risks due to the ongoing conflict, warned UNESCO earlier this month.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 26 September)
- Schools across the Amhara region have been shut down and education has been disrupted due to the instability, leaving millions of children without access to education. According to the regional Amhara Education Bureau, only two out of seven million students have been enrolled for this academic year.
- The ongoing conflict between the federal government and Fano militia, as well as “late enrollment and politicization of education”, are causing disruption in education, stated Getachew Beyazne, head of public relations of Amhara Education Bureau.
Situation in Tigray (per 26 September)
- The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has rejected recent claims by the Tigray Interim Regional Administration (IRA) that the regional security forces are operating under its command.
- “The interim administration is a temporary structure set up to handle administrative tasks, and it is not tasked with commanding the Tigraian Force or managing it under its chain of command”, said the TPLF statement, adding that the regional forces are an independent entity.
- This exchange of statements arose from the ongoing division within the TPLF forming two factions; one led by the chairman Debretsion Gebremichael, and the other one led by Getachew Reda, current head of the IRA who has been recently ousted from the TPLF membership.
International Situation (per 26 September)
- The global community called for urgent intervention in the escalating Sudan crisis during the Ministerial Meeting on Advancing Peace in Sudan on the margins of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), on Wednesday, organised by The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, US, EU and the UN.
- The US pledged an additional $424 million in support of humanitarian aid in Sudan, announced Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US ambassador to the UN on Wednesday.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of SAF and President of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, on the sidelines of the UNGA, expressing concern over escalating conflict, “devastating impact on the Sudanese civilians”, and risk of a regional spillover.
- Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, met with ambassadors from Uganda and Rwanda on the sidelines of UNGA discussing the upcoming Nile Basin Summit on equitable use of water resources on the Nile river, organised in October in Uganda.
Regional Situation (per 26 September)
- Unlawful police force has been used against civilians during a wide-nation protest in Kenya in June, according to Amnesty International. Reconstructions of events by Amnesty showed men in civilian clothes working alongside the police and using force and weapons against protesters.
- Construction of a road that should connect three countries – Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia – has been delayed due to insecurity concerns in the northeastern part of Somalia amid reported increase in Al-Shabaab raids. The road project of $215 million is funded by African Development Bank.
- The Ethiopian government is considering importing fuel through Berbera Port in Somaliland as the depot in Djibouti is experiencing capacity problems and causing disruption in oil supply in Ethiopia.
Refugee and Migration Situation (per 26 September)
- Hungary announced it will follow the Netherlands in seeking an “opt-out” from EU asylum and migration directive, citing the need for stronger measures against illegal migration.
- Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, János Bóka, confirmed that Hungary remains committed to the Schengen area while taking necessary steps to curb migration.
- Female migrants and refugees who are survivors of sexual violence, report to be exposed to ‘double violence’ as they are often ignored, arrested, or even deported when they want to file a complaint of sexual abuse at the police.
- The EU Commission called on Tunisia to launch an investigation into allegations over widespread abuse of refugees and migrants. The EU aims to hire “independent monitoring experts to verify the respect for the ‘do no harm principle’ in the context of EU funded programmes”, said a spokesperson for the EU.
Links of interest
Sudan fighting updates: Army launches offensive against RSF in Khartoum
Sudanese army launches major offensive against RSF in Khartoum
Nyala airport destroyed in airstrike
Pregnant women and children dying in shocking numbers in South Darfur
Sudan crisis: Threat to culture ‘unprecedented,’ UNESCO says
News: Conflict halts schooling for millions in Amhara; students abandon classrooms for safety
Facebook: Office of the President-Tigray
Joint Statement Following the Ministerial Meeting on Advancing Peace in Sudan
US announces $424m in Sudan aid amid pleas to stop ‘senseless’ war
AU Commission Chairperson expresses grave concern over the alarming situation in El Fasher, Darfur
UN Secretary-General Guterres shares ‘concern about escalation of conflict’ with Sudan’s El Burhan
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia
Kenyan police in plainclothes fired on Nairobi protesters, Amnesty says
Construction of $215M road linking Somalia and Ethiopia delayed over insecurity
ነዳጅ ከጂቡቲ በተጨማሪ በበርበራ ወደብ ለማስገባት የመንግሥት ውሳኔ እየተጠበቀ ነው
Migrant women in France face ‘double violence’ when reporting abuse
Hungary joins the Dutch in wanting to ‘opt-out’ of EU Migration rules
Europe has questions to answer over migrant abuse in Tunisia, say MEPs and activists
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.