International Situation (per 16 October)

  • The final report of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) was published on 13 October. It details the human rights violations committed during the Tigray war which the ICHREE was able to document before the termination of its mandate.
  • The report provides “evidence indicating the commission of grave violations of international law,” and warns that many such crimes are ongoing, despite the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
  • ICHREE warns that the “present report cannot be considered to be fully reflective of the harms experienced by civilians in the regions under investigation”, because of the vast scale of the violence, and because many areas where such crimes are committed were outside the scope of the investigation.
  • The report states that fighting in Tigray started on 3-4 November 2020. The report states that military action by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, supported by Amhara Special Forces, was “immediate and coordinated”.
  • The report concludes that Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) conducted joint operations and that air attacks were launched from Eritrean territory; and states that the Permanent Representative of Eritrea indirectly acknowledged the joint operations.
  • Killings of Tigrayan civilians “on a massive scale” has been perpetrated since 3 November 2020 by ENDF, EDF, Amhara Special Forces and Fano militia. The report found 49 incidents of killing of civilians, and has investigated five in-depth. The Commission has the names of some of the perpetrators.
  • The killings were accompanied by derogatory and dehumanising language; priests and religious leaders were often among those killed; and communities were prevented from burying their dead.
  • Rape and other forms of sexual violence on a massive scale were perpetrated by EDF, ENDF, Amhara, Afar and Fano forces. At least 10,000 survivors sought support, though the real number is likely to be far higher.
  • The report also describes the devastation of the human-made siege and starvation mostly caused by ENDF and EDF forces. This included widespread looting and destruction.
  • Eritrean forces are responsible for abduction and refoulement, as well as destruction and looting of humanitarian property. Targeting of Eritrean refugees was committed by both Eritrean and Tigrayan forces.
  • The (mass) killings, rape and sexual violence, looting, detention, expulsion, and other crimes in the report were done with “intersectional discriminatory intent based on ethnicity and gender.” The Committee noted it did not have the time or resources to determine extermination or genocide.
  • The crimes on a “staggering scale” by the ENDF, EDF, regional forces and affiliated militia “amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity”.
  • Crimes by Tigray fighters in Amhara and Afar described in the report “amount to war crimes”.
  • States must continue to investigate and prosecute crimes committed in Ethiopia, especially in light of the ongoing atrocity risks, ICHREE experts urge.

Situation in Sudan (per 16 October)

  • It has been six months since the war broke out in Sudan. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as 70% of health facilities in the conflict areas are out of service, and only 33% of humanitarian operations are funded.
  • Authorities of the Al Jazira state have launched security forces along the border with Khartoum on Saturday to prevent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
  • RSF is already stationed in some locations in Al Jazira, particularly in Al-Masid, Al-Nuba, and Al-Jadid Al-Thawra.
  • Egypt delivered Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) last month, stated security officials to the Wall Street Journal.
  • 93% of surveyed people in Darfur have lost income and are struggling to access food and healthcare, reports New Islamic Relief. 86% are struggling to meet basic needs.
  • Many food stocks have been looted or destroyed. Many families are surviving on just one meal per day, and 33% of people state that there is no food available in local markets. Prices have doubled or tripled, when food is available.
  • 92% of women who have experienced sexual and gender-based violence are not getting any support.

Situation in Ethiopia (per 16 October)

  • Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed emphasised the importance and the right of access to the Red Sea for the survival of Ethiopia in speech to the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
  • The remarks are featured in an upcoming documentary by state media called “From a Drop of Water to Sea Water”.
  • Eritrea “will not, as ever, be drawn into” discourses on water, access to the sea and other related topics, the Eritrean Ministry of Information stated in a press release on 16 October.

Situation in Tigray (per 16 October)

  • People in Tigray continue to mourn as long lists of people killed in the war are published. Vigils, burials and commemorations are organised across Tigray.

Regional Situation (per 16 October)

  • Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and Presidential Adviser Yemane Gebreab met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, Egypt, on 14 October in relation to the situation in Sudan.
  • 10,000 Somali troops are being trained in Eritrea, Somalia’s President is reported to have told Eritrean media during his visit to Eritrea.
  • The weather phenomenon El Niño is expected to cause above-average rainfall in the Horn of Africa, warn DG ECHO, UN OCHA, and FSNWG.
  • Floods are expected, which could cause devastating impacts to infrastructure, crops, and humanitarian access. Flooding risks are predicted to be high between October and December.
  • Flooding has already impacted parts of Somalia, particularly Baidoa. The International Rescue Committee calls for urgent support as many of the flood-prone areas are already overstretched due to prolonged drought and disease outbreaks.

Links of interest

International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia

Ethiopia: Victims ‘left in limbo’ as rights probe mandate ends
UN relief chief urges end to ‘humanitarian nightmare’ in Sudan
Central Sudan State deploys security forces to limit RSF incursions
Ignoring U.S. Calls for Peace, Egypt Delivered Drones to Sudan’s Military
New Islamic Relief survey reveals immense suffering in Darfur
Eritrean Ministry of Information Press Release

TesfaNews on X

Greater Horn of Africa – Impact of El Nino ( DG ECHO, UN OCHA, FSNWG) (ECHO Daily Flash of 13 October 2023)
The IRC ramps up early action in Kenya and Somalia to respond to El Nino, calls for urgent support

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