EEPA Fact Sheet, Horn of Africa, No. 555 – 24 June 2024 – Martin Plaut

Sudan situation (24 June)

• The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled two hospitals in Sudan last week, namely the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur, and the Al-Nau Hospital in Omdurman.
• A pharmacist was killed in the attack in El Fasher, and three people, including a hospital volunteer, were killed in the Omdurman attack.
• RSF forces killed at least 17 people and injured dozens in the village of Asir in Sudan’s central Al Jazira state on Friday, the Wad Madani Resistance Council said. The attack reportedly targeted civilians leaving a mosque.
• A fire broke out at the Bahri Thermal Power Plant, a major electricity supplier to Sudan, on Saturday.

The situation in Ethiopia (24 June)

• Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives has been engaged in a heated debate over newly proposed legislation that observers fear will strip the courts of power and undermine the rule of law. A debate is also ongoing over proposed tax legislation reforms.
• About 6,000 Sudanese refugees have been trapped by local militias in the Olara Forest in Amhara State, facing hunger and shortage of medical supplies. According to reports, the refugees have also been frequently attacked by the Fano militia.
• Most of the buildings in Metema camp in the Amhara region were destroyed by strong winds and heavy rains on Friday.
• Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Tigray have organized demonstrations demanding a faster return to their homes in areas where Amhara and Eritrean forces continue to occupy.
• Internally displaced persons say they see deaths from hunger every day and suffer from medicine shortages.

Kenya situation (as of June 24)

• Protests have broken out across Kenya against controversial tax measures in the 2024 finance bill, which aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes.
• Two protesters were killed and hundreds injured as police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesters.
• Protesters occupied the church on Sunday.
• A national strike has been called for Tuesday, June 25.
• A Kenyan force of 1,000 police officers will travel to Haiti tomorrow (June 25) to help stabilize the country, according to an unnamed Kenyan Interior Ministry official, who faces legal challenges.
• Two advance teams have already left for Haiti. The operation is receiving logistical support and funding from the United States, with additional personnel from Benin, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados and Chad.

Situation in South Sudan (as of 24 June)

• A draft peace agreement reached at South Sudan peace talks in Nairobi outlines a new structure for the transitional government.

Regional situation (as of June 24)

• The African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) had planned to send 4,000 troops due to concerns about a power vacuum in the fight against al-Shabaab, but only half will leave by the end of June.
• On Libyan territory, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, led by Minni Minawi, clashed with forces loyal to the Rapid Security Forces as they tried to advance towards El Fasher.
• The end of the ATMIS operation and the withdrawal of all forces is scheduled for December 31, 2024.
• The International Medical Corps (IMC) has warned of a large influx of Sudanese refugees into Libya. According to IMC, there are 45,000 Sudanese refugees in the Al-Mazraa area, with about 250-300 new refugees arriving every day.

International Situation (June 24)

• The Assembly of Heads of State and Government (HosG) of the African Union Peace and Security Council adopted a communiqué on Sudan, announcing the launch of an inclusive Sudanese political dialogue process from July 10 to 15, 2024 in Addis Ababa.
• The AU said a meeting hosted by Egypt to promote dialogue among Sudanese parties is scheduled to be held in Cairo in early July 2024, which will complement the AU/IGAD-led international dialogue.
• The statement directed the Chairperson of the AU Commission to urgently establish an ad hoc Chairperson’s Committee of the Peace and Security Council, composed of representatives from all African regions, to be led by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
• The committee is tasked with facilitating face-to-face talks between the SAF and the RSF.
• The AU condemned the ongoing conflict and human rights violations and called for an immediate ceasefire.
• The Guardian said British government officials were accused of trying to suppress criticism of the UAE’s supply of weapons to the RSF.
• Sources told the Guardian that British officials put pressure on African diplomats to dissuade them from criticising the UAE when they held informal talks in Ethiopia earlier this month to explore legal action against the UAE.
• The European Council adopted sanctions against six individuals for undermining Sudan’s stability and political transition, including three from the Sudan Rapid Security Forces and three from the Sudan Armed Forces.
• Around 1,000 pro-democracy Eritreans held a peaceful protest in Bern, Switzerland. They protested against deportations of Eritreans to third countries and the requirement for Eritreans to obtain passports in order to be granted asylum.
• The Swiss government announced that it would send liaison officers to Nairobi to negotiate with the Eritrean government on the repatriation of Eritrean nationals. At the same time, Switzerland is considering outsourcing its asylum procedures to a third country.

Links of interest

Two hospitals in Sudan were bombarded, causing a medical disaster

More than 17 killed in Rapid Support Forces attack on central Sudan village, resistance council says

Fire breaks out at Bahri power station in Khartoum, RSF accuses Sudanese armed forces of ‘criminal act’

Metema Camp refugee camp in western Ethiopia flooded – appeal for assistance

6,000 Sudanese refugees trapped by local militias in Ethiopia

News: Tigray internally displaced persons hold rallies demanding repatriation, urging proper implementation of the Pretoria Agreement

‘Begging for survival’: Tigray war refugees still languish in camps

Kenya’s anti-tax protests show youthful enthusiasm, could change future politics in the region

Kenyan police forces to join UN-backed mission in Haiti on Tuesday

South Sudan peace agreement draft establishes leadership committee

Somalia postpones Artemis withdrawal plan again
Sudan’s rival factions clash in Libya

Libya: Medical sources, alarm bells for Sudanese refugees in Kufra

Communiqué of the Peace and Security Council on the situation in Sudan at its 1218th meeting on 21 June 2024

UK ‘trying to silence criticism of UAE over alleged arming of Sudanese RSF militia’

Sudan: Commission names 6 individuals for undermining stability and political transition

Eritreans critical of the regime protest in Bern

Federal government sends liaison to negotiate with Eritrea

Disclaimer: All information in this situation report is presented in the form of a flowing update report and is to the best knowledge and understanding of the author at the time of publication. EEPA does not claim that the information is correct but endeavours to verify it on a case-by-case basis. Publication is measured on the basis of interest to understand the potential impact of events (or perceptions of these events) on the situation. Please check all information against updates and other media. EEPA is not responsible for the use of the information or its impact. All reported information is sourced from third parties and the content of all reports and linked information remains the sole responsibility of these third parties. Report to info@eepa.be Any additional information and corrections.