Situation in Sudan (per 7 September)

  • US imposed sanctions on Abdel-Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, a senior military commander of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for crimes committed by troops under his leadership in the Darfur region of Sudan. Abdel-Rahim is a brother of Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the chief of RSF.
  • The sanctions are imposed as a response to the allegation of killings of civilians, ethnic violence and executions, as well as conflict-related sexual violence.
  • The US further imposed visa restrictions on Abdul Rahman Juma, RSF General, for his involvement in extrajudicial killings of the Governor of West Darfur, Khamis Abbakar.
  • The US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced humanitarian assistance of $163 million to Sudan and neighbouring countries during her visit to the city of Adré, Chad, which hosts thousands of refugees fleeing Sudan.
  • 7.1 million people in Sudan are internally displaced out of which 3.8 million have been displaced due to the conflict in Sudan.

Situation in Tigray (per 7 September)

  • The Eritrean Defense Forces are accused of committing war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity during the war in Tigray as well as months after the Cessation of Hostilities (CoH) Agreement was signed, says Amnesty International in their new report.
  • Eritrean troops carried out extrajudicial killings and sexual violence against women which include crimes of rape, gang rape and sexual enslavement.
  • Amnesty International calls on the UN Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) which is due to be renewed at the 54th session of the HRC starting on 11 September.
  • Getachew Reda, President of the Tigray Interim Administration, said that the security situation in Tigray is not stable as there are organised movements that hinder the work of the interim administration.
  • The protest rally by the opposition parties, the Tigray Independent Party, Salsay Weyane, and Baytonahave, and scheduled for today, was banned.
  • Several people who took to the streets were reportedly beaten and physically attacked by police forces.
  • Ahead of the protest, arrests of more than 20 officials as well as members of opposition parties have taken place since 5 September.
  • Tigray police reportedly arrested Kidane Amene and Tesfamichael Nigus, leaders of opposition party National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytona) yesterday in Mekelle.
  • Earlier, three other senior officials, Dejen Mezgebe, Hayalu Godifay, and Kibrom Berehe, were held for 3 hours at the police station.

Situation in Ethiopia (per 7 September)

  • There is a need to continue an independent investigation over human rights crimes and abuses committed in Ethiopia since 2018, said Human Rights Watch (HRW). For that, it is important to renew the ICHREE mandate, urged HRW.
  • The crimes that need to be investigated include killings and widespread sexual violence committed during Tigray war, detaining  journalists and political opposition figures, harassment and detention of persons from civic space, as well as tempering with judicial processes and ignoring court decisions.

Situation of Eritrean refugees (per 7 September)

  • Strict measures will be imposed on rioters “including the immediate deportation of those who took part”, said Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu in a reaction to Saturday’s riots in Tel Aviv, Israel.
  • 1,000 supporters of the Eritrean regime who participated in riots are to be deported through measures that are being prepared by the ministerial team appointed by Netanyahu.
  • 46 Eritreans who were detained on Saturday were reportedly taken to an immigration authority for unlimited administrative detention.
  • The Eritrean embassy has reportedly appointed lawyer Ayre Sharabi to represent 14 Eritreans who are supported by the Eritrean government and who have been detained.
  • Other detainees, who are not supported by the Eritrean government representative, will be represented by the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants.
  • Concerns were expressed over the administrative immigration detention imposed on those who were alleged to be only participating at the demonstration with no other allegations.
  • “[T]he police disregarded multiple warnings of the community and religious leaders before the event, and now they give up any attempt to enforce the criminal law and transfer detainees against whom there is no evidence to administrative detention without trial”, said the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants.
  • UNHCR raised concerns over the unlimited administrative detention and warned that any indiscriminate refoulement of Eritrean refugees or asylum seekers would go against international law and could pose serious threats for the persons returned to Eritrea.
  • An unverified poster circulated in social media, through which Eritrean government supporters aim to mobilise diaspora calling for a meeting on 22 September close to 10 Downing Street, London, UK.
  • Observers say that any meetings organised by the paramilitary Eriblood-associated groups should be banned and addressed by the London administration.

International Situation (per 7 September)

  • African leaders attending the African Climate Summit, held in Kenya, between 4-6 September, unanimously adopted the Nairobi declaration calling for a new finance architectures.
  • African leaders also urged the African Union, IGAD and the IGAD Quartet group to adopt a unified approach in addressing the peace efforts in Sudan.
  • Ethiopia and Kenya signed a bilateral agreement for the construction of a railway connecting the port of Lamu, Kenya, with Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Links of interest

Update about the arrests of the Eritrean pro-democracy protests

Israel’s Netanyahu calls for deportation of Eritrean refugee ‘rioters’

Israel: UNHCR deeply concerned at violent incident involving Eritrean asylum-seekers, urges restraint

Eritreans in Tel Aviv unsure if they fear Netanyahu or other Eritreans more

Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a Food Distribution Site in Adré, Chad Near the Border with Sudan

Internal Displacement in Sudan Nearly Doubles Since Onset of Conflict

News: Interim leader imparts grave political, security crisis in Tigray amid mounting tension over disallowed protest rally

Police officers beat up protesters in Mekelle

Today or tomorrow, they should be brought before Justice

Q&A: Justice for Serious International Crimes Committed in Ethiopia

At Africa’s First Climate Summit, a Clear Call to the World: Invest in Us

IGAD Quartet proposes unified peace initiative for Sudan

Kenya and Ethiopia agree to build 3000km Lamu – Addis Ababa SGR

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