Situation in Sudan (per 11 December)
- Two people were killed and seven injured in a deliberate attack on an aid convoy in the al-Shajara neighbourhood in Khartoum, states the Red Cross.
- Both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) were aware of and had given security guarantees for the operation, which was to evacuate more than a hundred civilians. The cars were clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem.
- Blasts were reported at the al-Jaili oil refinery in Khartoum on Sunday.
- A small RSF convoy entered Gedarif state, visiting some remote villages, for the first time.
- SAF chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan agreed to a one-on-one meeting with RSF leader Hemedti, a statement by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced after its summit of leaders on Sudan held on Saturday. This is disputed by the Sudanese Foreign Affairs ministry and RSF.
- The two “accepted the principle of meeting within 15 days in order to pave the way for a series of confidence-building measures between the two parties that lead to the launch of a political process”, stated the advisor to Djibouti’s President, Alexis Mohammed.
- The IGAD statement was rejected by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which stated that the document contained inconsistencies and inaccuracies.
- Among those inaccuracies it listed the claim that Burhan had agreed to meet Hemedti, inaccurate information regarding the attendance of the UAE Foreign Minister, the assertion that the IGAD heads had met with an RSF delegation, and the omission of the Egypt-led initiative to resolve the crisis.
- The Sudanese Foreign Ministry stated that a meeting was contingent on a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of RSF troops from the capital Khartoum. Meanwhile, RSF noted that it would accept only if Burhan does not attend in his capacity as head of state.
- 15 diplomats from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sudan have been expelled, amidst the accusations that the UAE is supporting the RSF, including providing weapons via neighbouring countries.
Refugee situation (per 11 December)
- 68 Eritrean refugees from Dadaab refugee camp, Kenya, were detained and face possible deportation to Eritrea. The refugees were arrested on their way to Nairobi, and charged with illegally staying in Kenya.
- The court ruled that the refugees must be taken to the Dadaab refugee camp to await the assessment, rather than staying in jail, following representation by the Sanctuary Foundation and Pugna Malum.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 11 December)
- Ethiopia is set to default on its loans today as it cannot pay the $33 million due in interest on its $1 billion in eurobonds. Talks with the key bondholders on Friday ended without agreement.
- Ethiopia will have a 14-day grace period before it is officially deemed to be defaulting.
- The Ethiopian ministry of finance stated that the payments could not be met due to the “fragile external position, with significantly lower foreign-exchange reserves, which inevitably impacts the Ministry of Finance’s ability to service imminent external borrowings”.
- A bondholder call is scheduled on Thursday.
- Companies in Ethiopia are forced to close or stop production due to the foreign currency shortages.
Situation in Eritrea (per 11 December)
- Clashes erupted in Basel, Switzerland, on Saturday at a pro-government Eritrean event. The event was attended by the Eritrean ambassador to Switzerland and two high-ranking Eritrean officials close to the Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki, as well as 400 pro-government participants.
- Videos of the festival show that pro-government Eritreans that participated in earlier clashes in Zurich were praised and given flowers for their activities in these clashes.
- Around 300 pro-democracy Eritreans showed up in protest and tried to make their way to the event. After this, the police cordoned off a large area around the venue.
- Critics note that the authorities allowed the pro-government event to take place, and protected the pro-government Eritreans over the refugees who have asylum in Switzerland, despite the warnings of possible clashes and despite the threats and extortion by the Eritrean government in Switzerland.
Situation in South Sudan (per 11 December)
- At least five people were killed and nine wounded amidst two-day fighting between members of the Aguok community and the Kuac community over the disputed Muonyjang cattle camp.
- Joint operations sectors, collaborations between the army and the police, have reportedly been forcefully arresting people and shaving the heads of people with dreadlocks in residential areas in Juba, despite their mandate of only handling security emergencies.
- Police state they have now stopped these activities. Reportedly, over 400 youth were arrested.
- In Unity State, over 180 teachers went on strike due to salary payments delayed since May 2023.
Regional Situation (per 11 December)
- Al-Shabaab forms a regional threat as Somalia’s accession to the East Africa Community (EAC) means visa-free travelling, including the Somalia-Kenya border crossing, warns ACLED in a report.
- Rainfall has declined across Somalia and predictions for December indicate little rain for Somalia and the Ethiopian highlands, meaning the Deyr rain season may have come to an end.
- Although water is receding, humanitarian partners warn of outbreaks of waterborne diseases and the vulnerable situation of those affected by the flooding.
International Situation (per 11 December)
- Refugees from the Horn of Africa and others continue to be trafficked for ransom in Libya, with ransoms as high as $12,000 being demanded. Libyan militia are complicit in this business, states AlJazeera.
- The United Nations Secretary General appointed Anita Kiki Ghebo of Ghana as a new UN Deputy Representative in South Sudan. She will also serve as the humanitarian coordinator in the country.
Links of interest
Sudan war: Two people killed in attack on aid convoy in Sudan, says Red Cross
African mediators claim progress in latest effort to end war in Sudan
Sudan Rejects IGAD summit statement over alleged inconsistencies and misinformation
Sudanese warring parties throw cold water on African mediation gains
RSF enter Gedaref State for the first time
Sudan expels 15 Emirati diplomats amid tension
Eritrean refugees arrested in Kenya, facing repatriation
Ethiopia Is About to Become Africa’s Next Debt Defaulter
Ethiopia bondholder call scheduled Thursday as default looms
ቆርኪና ጣሳ ማምረቻ ኢንዱስትሪ በውጭ ምንዛሪ እጥረት ሳቢያ ምርት ማቆሙ ተሰማ
5 killed, 9 wounded in Gogrial West County clashes over ownership of cattle camp
Assessing Al-Shabaab’s Threat to the Region as Somalia Joins the East Africa Community
Somalia: 2023 Deyr Season Floods Situation Report No. 4 (As of 10 December 2023)
Libyan militias ‘making a killing’ off kidnapping refugees for ransom
Secretary-General Appoints Anita Kiki Gbeho of Ghana Deputy Special Representative in South Sudan
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.
Martin Plaut 