Situation in Sudan (per 14 December)

  • Conflict areas in Sudan may face “catastrophic hunger conditions” if the food aid does not arrive in time before the lean season starts in May 2024, warns the World Food Programme (WFP).
  • As the current harvest season shows “highest levels of hunger ever recorded”, there is immediate need to ramp up the delivery of humanitarian aid to hotspots which are difficult to reach, in particular in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan areas, added WFP.
  • 37 people were killed and 29 injured due to intense fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Omdurman on Monday. Shelling and airstrikes were also reported from Khartoum.
  • The US determination of the war crimes committed by the RSF and SAF in Sudan’s war should be followed by concrete policies and actions in order to stop abuses and attacks on civilians, said Human Rights Watch (HRW).
  • “The US should start by initiating robust consultations to explore the viability of alternatives for protecting civilians”, stated HRW, adding that these should be accompanied by consultations with the AU, UN and IGAD and imposing of additional sanctions.
  • Sudan requested the UN Security Council to impose an arms and materials embargo on the RSF and at the same time lift the embargo currently imposed on the SAF.
  • “If you truly wish to safeguard peace and security in Darfur, there is a need to exclude the Armed Forces from the embargo imposed since 2004”, said the Sudanese representative to the UN Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed.
  • Omdurman residents reported widespread looting of civilian houses and properties by SAF soldiers. Civilians defending their property were reportedly shot at by soldiers.
  • The RSF-affiliated fighters have also been reported to loot areas in Khartoum that fall under their control. Stolen goods have been seen to be sold in markets within Sudan but also in Chad and Niger, states The Guardian.
  • 83 new suspected cases of cholera were detected in the Red Sea State this week, according to the General Department of Emergency and Epidemic Control of Sudan’s Ministry of Health.

Refugee situation (per 14 December)

  • The first cholera case was reported from Renk transit centre for refugees in South Sudan, according to South Sudan’s Ministry of Health.
  • Doctors express fear of further spreading of the disease due to inadequate health infrastructure.
  • Sudanese refugees in Chad expressed concerns over their security due to ongoing threats of Janjaweed militia that are present in the border areas with Sudan.
  • Refugees residing in camps of Maji and Abutangui have been witnessing Janjaweed invading the camp sites  threatening and harassing them.

Situation in Ethiopia (per 14 December)

  • Taye Dendea, Ethiopian State Minister of Peace, was dismissed, effective immediately, by the PM Abiy Ahmed on Monday after which he was arrested by the Federal Security and the Intelligence Task Force.
  • Dendea has been accused of participating in terrorist activities by collaborating with groups aiming to destabilise Ethiopia and instigating violence on social media.
  • The arrest comes after Dendea criticised the Ethiopian federal government last week of not reaching an agreement with Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) during peace talks in Tanzania.
  • Dendea criticised his dismissal from the post of minister, stating that PM Abiy is a person “playing with human blood”.
  • Only 30% of targeted beneficiaries in Ethiopia received the necessary humanitarian assistance in 2023 as only 30% out of the $3.99 billion humanitarian plan was funded, said Ethiopian Ambassador Shiferaw Teklemariam at the 2024 Global Humanitarian Appeal launch in Addis Ababa.
  • 4 million Ethiopians are predicted to fall into emergency hunger conditions mid-2024 if there is no immediate intervention secured by authorities, according to a report by Famine Early Warning Systems Network .
  • Several areas of Ethiopia are of high concern. These include in particular the Tigray region, pastoral areas of Somali and Oromia regions, as well as northeastern Amhara Region and western Afar Region.
  • The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) condemned ongoing violence against orthodox christians and churches across Ethiopia. The EOTC further urged authorities to provide adequate security for worshippers.

Situation in Tigray (per 14 December)

  • Eritrean forces reportedly abducted 26 civilians in Eastern Tigray in the past seven months, according to Addis Standard.  Six kebeles in the Gulomekeda district remain under the control of Eritrean forces.
  • “Eritrean forces are compelling residents in the occupied zones to strictly adhere to directives from the Eritrean administration,” said Haftom Baraki, the head of the district.

Regional Situation (per 14 December)

  • The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank approved $4.5 billion in debt relief to Somalia on Wednesday, stating that the relief will  “facilitate access to critical additional financial resources that will help Somalia strengthen its economy, reduce poverty, and promote job creation”.

International Situation (per 14 December)

  • The US and EU urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to work together towards respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty as stipulated in the Algiers Agreement. The statements were issued on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the signing of the Algiers Agreement. 

Links of interest

WFP warns that hunger catastrophe looms in conflict-hit Sudan without urgent food assistance

37 killed in Omdurman shelling as Khartoum airstrikes increase

Regional Sudan Response Situation Update, 12 December 2023

Sudan: Action is Key After US Atrocity Determination

Sudan Requests Security Council to Impose Arms Embargo on Rebel Forces

Soldiers accused of widespread looting from homes near Sudanese capital

Washington warns against dividing Sudan

Cholera crosses the Sudanese border and bursts into South Sudan refugee camps

Sudanese refugees in Chad face Security, humanitarian Challenges: report

Ethiopia peace minister critical of PM Abiy held for suspected coup plot

The AU Commission and the UN OCHA launch the Global Humanitarian Appeal for 2024

Food assistance needs remain high amid slow recovery of livelihoods in 2024

News: Ethiopian Orthodox Church pleads for peace amidst escalating violence against believers

News: Eritrean forces allegedly abduct 26 individuals in Gulomekeda, Tigray region

IMF and World Bank Announce US$4.5 billion in Debt Relief for Somalia

23rd Anniversary of the Algiers Agreement between the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea

Ethiopia/Eritrea: Statement by the Spokesperson on the anniversary of the Algiers Agreement

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