Situation in Sudan (per 15 January)

  • Jarjira area, North Darfur, has been recaptured by the  Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied Joint Force of Armed Struggle Movements (JSAMF) and Popular Resistance in a military operation on Tuesday, informed the spokesperson of the JSAMF.  
  • 19 civilians were killed in a ground attack in Jarjira with JSAMF accusing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of the assault. The RSF has not yet replied to the JSAMF statements of the recapture, and killings.
  • Five civilians were killed and 13 others injured in RSF shelling on a market in Kartala, South Kordofan on Monday, reports the Sudan Doctors Network.
  • Dozens of people, including SAF officials, civilians, and troops, were killed by RSF drone strikes on a government guesthouse, hosting a high-level meeting, and on the 17th infantry division headquarters in Sinja, Sennar State, on Monday.
  • The timing and precision of the strikes raised questions on the intelligence capacities of the RSF, and further reflected an expansion of aerial warfare.
  • 395 persons have been displaced from Dilling and Kadugli, South Kordofan, between 11-12 January, amidst intensified fighting in the besieged cities, reports IOM. 
  • The malnutrition rate for children in the Darfur region has surged to 70%, reports the General Coordination for Displaced Persons, Adam Rajal.  
  • UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has met with Sudanese ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice, on Wednesday, during the first day of his four day visit to Sudan where he is scheduled to visit Northern State, engage with displaced persons, and humanitarian partners.
  • 570 stolen Sudanese artifacts have been recovered in collaboration with Interpol and UNESCO, and will be returned to museums, states the Ministry of Culture.

Situation in South Sudan (per 15 January)

  • The special court has excluded the public and the media from attending the proceedings in the trial of suspended First Vice-President Riek Machar out of consideration for the protection of the 16 witnesses.
  • The National Election Commission (NEC) announced it is ready to hold general elections in December 2026, highlighting progress in preparations, and plans to release an electoral schedule later this month.

Situation in Ethiopia (per 15 January)

  • The Federal Police have seized 56,000 rounds of ammunition in Amhara region, accusing Eritrea of supplying local armed militias. Two suspects have been arrested so far.
  • Eritrean Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, dismissed the accusations adding that Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party is fabricating claims to justify potential military conflict.
  • Two Turkish tourists and their Ethiopian driver were killed by armed semi-nomadic herders near Tum town of  West-Omo Zone on Monday. Investigations are still ongoing.

Regional & International Situation (per 15 January)

  • Somalia has revoked all agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday, after the UAE-backed Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi allegedly entered Somalia illegally through the Somaliland region, and after allegations of UAE facilitating Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
  • Puntland and Jubbaland states have not recognized this decision nor has Somaliland.
  • The US announced to pause the immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including the broader Horn of Africa countries, with the exception of Djibouti and Kenya, “to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits”. The decision will be enforced on 21 January. 
  • Representatives from several countries, including the US, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have held talks in Egypt discussing a truce, ceasefire and political process in Sudan, as well as regional peace and security.
  • Elections in Uganda are ongoing today, with internet access blocked since Tuesday, and security forces having arrested several hundred supporters of the main opposition candidate, Bobi Wine, with the current President Yoweri Museveni aiming to remain in power for a fifth decade.
  • Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Djibouti on Sunday, holding talks with President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, over regional security, and bilateral cooperation, and touring the Doraleh port, weeks after Egypt reached port agreements with Djibouti.

Refugee and Migration Situation (per 15 January)

  • The European Commission is set to release its  new  five-year asylum and migration strategy, and a new EU visa strategy in February, reports Euractiv.
  • The strategy outlines six priorities, including migration diplomacy aimed at strengthening partnerships with countries along the migration routes and incorporating incentives for cooperation on border management.
  • Law enforcement in Sudan views human trafficking and smuggling mainly as illegal entry, overlooking recruitment and exploitation stages, perceiving persons as immigration violators rather than victims of organized crime, concludes a new research by the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies.  
  • A mass grave with 21 bodies of human trafficking victims has been uncovered in Ajdabiya, Libya, following an investigation of a Libyan suspect holding migrants in dire conditions in a farm.

Links of interest
Sudan Joint Force claims recapture of Jargeira in North Darfur from RSF

World News in Brief: Escalating fighting in Sudan, displacement in Syria’s Aleppo, $1.5 billion appeal for South Sudan

Pro-Sudanese army force says RSF attack killed 19 civilians in North Darfur

RSF drone strike kills five in South Kordofan market

High-level army meeting hit by RSF drone strike in Sinja
DTM Sudan Flash Alert: Kadugli (Kadugli town), South Kordofan
DTM Sudan Flash Alert: Dilling (Dilling town), South Kordofan

Darfur malnutrition rates among children hit 70 per cent, spokesperson says

Sudan recover hundreds of artefacts looted during the war

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk to visit Sudan 14-18 January

Foreign and Justice Ministers Discuss Accountability and Coordination of Justice Efforts with UN Official

Judges close Machar trial to protect witness identities

Electoral body outlines plan for elections

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of arming rebels in escalating war of words

Two Turkish tourists killed in Ethiopia gun attack

Somali regions reject Mogadishu’s move to cut ties with UAE

Trump suspends immigrant visas for 75 countries: Who’s affected?

Egypt urges end to Sudan ‘bloodshed’ during peace coordination meeting in Cairo

Uganda votes in tense election seen as test of President Museveni’s strength

News: PM Abiy visits Djibouti, tours Doraleh Port weeks after Egypt signs port and energy deals

EXCLUSIVE: Commission to prioritise returns and border control in five-year plan

The Fight Against Human Trafficking And Smuggling Of Migrants In Sudan

Arrest of suspect accused of killing 21 illegal migrants in Ajdabiya

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.