Situation in Sudan (per 19 October)

  • At least 68 villages were set on fire in Darfur, west Sudan, shows the analysis of the satellite images by the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR). The perpetrators are identified as armed militia groups.
  • Using the heat-recognition technology in connection with geolocation of social media pictures, the CIR analysis provides evidence for crimes perpetrated in Sudan.
  • More than 3,900 civilians have been killed and at least 8,400 people injured in Darfur due to ongoing conflict between 15 April and the end of August, reports UNHCR. Most of the attacks were carried out on the basis of ethnic targeting particularly in West Darfur.
  • 139 civilian objects such as markets, administrative buildings, schools, and health and transportation facilities were destroyed, damaged or looted.
  • The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly been advancing to the areas south of Khartoum in order to gain stronger control in Al Jazira state and take over important agricultural sites and population centres, reports Reuters.
  • Increased shelling of civilians by the RSF in Nyala, South Darfur and Karari, in Omdurman, is raising concerns, said the US State Department.
  • Evidence received by the US State Department shows the RSF blocking access to and attacking the Hasahisa camp for internally displaced persons in Central Darfur.
  • Over 10,000 young children under age of 5 may die of preventable causes in Sudan by the end of the year 2023, warned UNICEF and the WHO. Currently, about 700,000 children are facing severe acute malnutrition.
  • The main causes of child mortality are expected to be related to food insecurity, malnutrition, birth complications, reduced vaccination, and outbreak of diseases.
  • 7,000 children separated by the conflict in Sudan were successfully reunited with their families thanks to the joint operation by Save the Children and local partners.
  • Armed forces are targeting children, mostly unaccompanied minors and children from poor families, to be recruited to fight in the conflict, states Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children.
  • Girls are being abducted for sexual exploitation, including sexual slavery, from both Khartoum and Darfur, added Mullally.
  • Secondary schools will reopen by the end of October and the rest of the schools are planned to open as of the middle of November, announced the Minister of Education, Dr Kamal Abdallah.
  • Following this, university directors in Sudan have agreed to open universities in states that are “safe and stable”, and to facilitate e-learning.
  • A joint delegation of the AU and IGAD met with Sudanese political and civilian groups on Monday and Tuesday, namely the Democratic bloc and allied groups, and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC). The discussions were centred around the situation in Sudan and pathways to sustainable peace.

Refugee Situation (per 19 October)

  • The conflict in Sudan caused the largest displacement crisis worldwide, with limitations in resources and services for refugees and IDPs “creating appalling living conditions for millions”, states IOM.
  • Over 7.1 million people are displaced of whom more than 1.2 million refugees fled to neighbouring countries and  over 5.8 million are displaced internally in Sudan.
  • It is estimated that about 3 million displaced people are originally from Khartoum.

Situation in Ethiopia (per 19 October)

  • Four people were killed and several injured due to attacks by armed factions from Kebena Woreda in Wolkite town, part of the newly established Central Ethiopia Regional State.
  • The attackers were reportedly targeting inhabitants of Wolkite town due to disagreements stemming from new administrative arrangements and formation of the new region, reports Addis Standard.
  • Western Oromia has been hit by a malaria outbreak killing at least 45 people. About 57.65% of tested individuals showed a positive result. 

Regional Situation (per 19 October)

  • Somalia rejected an appeal made by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to negotiate access of Ethiopia to the Red Sea. Abiy, in his speech last week, stated that Ethiopia’s access to the sea is important for the safeguard of regional stability.
  • Somali State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, said that access to any port under Somalia’s sovereignty is not open for negotiation or discussion. Somalia is nevertheless committed to support regional stability and peace, assured Omar.
  • “Djibouti will wait for Ethiopia to propose a peaceful means to access the Red Sea”, said Ismail Omar Guelleh, Djibouti President, for Bloomberg.
  • South Sudanese president, Salva Kiir, will host Sudanese political leaders in Juba next week to review the Juba Peace Agreement as well as prompt the dialogue on restoring peace and stability in Sudan.

International Situation (per 19 October)

  • Commissioners of the UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) expressed their disappointment with the non-renewal of ICHREE’s mandate, said Steven Ratner, one of the ICHREE members.
  • A trial of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman, former commander of the Sudanese Janjaweed militia, at the International Criminal Court (ICC), is set to hear the opening speeches of the defence team.
  • Abd-Al-Rahman is accused of 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between August 2003 and April 2004. The atrocities committed by the militia included murder, pillaging, rape, torture and attacks against civilian population.
  • The accountability of the crimes committed in Sudan in the past is important for the present situation and ending the current conflict in Sudan, say observers.

Links of interest

Sudan conflict: Ethnic cleansing committed in Darfur, UK says

UNHCR Sudan | Protection Brief (Darfur Region) – October 2023

Sudan’s paramilitary RSF advances, seeks to cement control

Concern over Increased Shelling and Civilian Casualties in Nyala and Omdurman

UNICEF & WHO warn attacks of health and nutrition services could cost over 10,000 children’s lives by the end of 2023

Sudan: UN expert warns of child recruitment by armed forces

Sudan university directors: Studies to resume in ‘safe and stable states’

AU-IGAD delegation consults civilian stakeholders on Sudan’s political process

Sudan Faces World’s Largest Internal Displacement Crisis

News: Deadly conflict in Gurage Zone leaves four dead, dozens injured

News Analysis: Malaria wreaking havoc in conflict hit Western Oromia, at least 45 people died in West Wollega zone

Flawed Transitional Justice In Ethiopia

Somalia Rebuffs Ethiopia’s Bid to Gain Direct Access to Red Sea Port

The Hague: Defense of Sudanese war crimes suspect begins

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