Situation in Sudan (per 19 January)

  • At least 103 civilians were killed, 88 injured and 18,000 families displaced between 22 December – 16 January by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks in the Um Baru, Tina and Kornoy areas, North Darfur, as fighting near the Chad border intensified over the past days, reports the Tina local emergency room.
  • The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are possibly preparing a siege in El Obeid, North Kordofan capital, reveals satellite imagery, observing recently constructed earthen walls along key exit points, and critical infrastructure, concludes The Humanitarian Research Lab of the Yale School of Public Health.
  • In a speech after a four-day visit to Sudan, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

concluded that attacks on civilian infrastructure by both the RSF and SAF may amount to war crimes.

  • He further declared that sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war, and the El Fasher atrocities “are at grave risk of repeating themselves in the Kordofan region”.
  • SAF leader Al-Burhan stated that the war against RSF will continue until it and its allies are eliminated.
  • Heavy fighting between RSF and SAF for the Omdurman-Bara export road broke out on Sunday.
  • The World Food Programme (WFP), is struggling to sustain its operations, needing to resolve a USD 700 million funding gap in order to continue operations through June, stated the agency on Thursday.
  • The president of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned that international neglect of Sudan’s humanitarian crisis and severe funding shortages will lead to rising casualties and the collapse of health services.

Situation in South Sudan (per 19 January)

  • Renewed fighting has erupted between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) in Nyirol, Uror, Ayod and Duk, Jonglei State, and in Eastern Equatoria, over the past week.
  • SPLA-IO Kit-Gwang faction leader Simon Gatwech Dual announced on Friday that they had captured the Pajut area in Northern Jonglei State, where a large number of SSPDF troops were stationed that had gathered for a counteroffensive after SPLA-IO took control over nearby Uror County on 2 January.
  • An expanding military build-up of the SSPDF has been reported by residents in Bor, Jonglei state’s capital, transporting reinforcements towards frontlines in Northern Jonglei.
  • Over 30,000 people have been displaced as a result of the hostilities in Pajut area, and are facing “an extremely dire situation” reported Duk County Commissioner Chatimto on Sunday.
  • The head officer of The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has warned of worsening security and humanitarian situations in Jonglei State and Eastern Equatoria, and urged the warring parties to cease hostilities, de-escalate tensions, and advance reconciliation and peace through dialogue.
  • Over 180,000 people have been displaced since 29 December as a result of dire humanitarian conditions and conflicts, report government sources.

Situation in Ethiopia (per 19 January)

  • A drone strike on an Ethiopian militia camp in the Amhara region killed 36 militia and injured 16 others. The drone strike was an error, stated Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) commanders.
  • The leaders of the Fano organisations Amhara Fano National Force and the Amhara Fano Popular Organisation announced that they have unified under one organisation with one leader.
  • The unified organisation is called Amhara Fano National Movement (AFNM).
  • After visiting Western Tigray together with US ambassador Massinga, former Tigray Interim Administration President Getachew Reda announced that the Ethiopian federal government will “dissolve local administrations in the disputed areas to pave the way for the IDPs to return”.
  • In a video published by the US embassy, Massinga said the return of “those who have their origin in the Humera zone” will begin.

Regional Situation (per 19 January)

  • The Afar militia Front for Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) reportedly launched attacks against Djiboutian forces stationed in Afar towns and cities. This follows repeated drone strikes by Djibouti against FRUD in the Ethiopian Afar region.
  • Seven Chadian soldiers have been killed by a RSF unit, in what the Chadian government calls an “incursion” into Chadian territory at the Birak military garrison.
  • Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has visited Las Anod, which is disputed between Somaliland and Puntland, for the first time in over 40 years, calling on officials in Somaliland to enter open dialogue with his government.

International Situation (per 19 January)

  • US president Donald Trump sent a letter to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, offering mediation between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to “resolve the ⁠question of ’The Nile Water Sharing’ once and for all”. Egypt and Sudan welcomed the proposition.
  • Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has won Thursday’s national elections, gaining 72% of votes, with the main opposition candidate Bobi Wine, condemning the results as “fake” and “ballot stuffing”. The African Union election observers declared no evidence of ballot stuffing.
  • At least 7 people had been killed in the days leading up to the elections.
  • The UN Security Council will hold closed consultations on South Sudan on Tuesday morning 20 January. The meeting was requested by the United States to discuss political developments.

Links of interest

Over 100 civilians killed, thousands displaced after attacks in Sudan’s Darfur: Relief group

Confirmed Civilian Displacement & Recent Bombardment in El Obeid

Human Rights Chief addresses the press in Port Sudan

Sudanese army, RSF clash on North Kordofan-Khartoum border

WFP warns Sudan food aid could run out in March

MSF president warns Sudan healthcare system faces challenges amid global neglect

Press Release: UNMISS calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria

Press Release: Humanitarian Coordinator Urges Immediate Protection of Civilians and Unhindered Humanitarian Access Amid Escalating Violence in Jonglei State

Gen. Simon Gatwech announces fall of Pajut, Jonglei
Drone strike kills 36 militias, 16 wounded in Ethiopia’s Amhara
Fano Forces statement on their complete unification. Establishment of the Amhara Fano National Movement and leadership
Gov’t Will Dissolve Local Admins in Disputed Territories to Return Tigray IDPs: Getachew Reda

Chad: 7 soldiers killed in reported clash at Sudanese border with RSF

RSF attacks Chadian army camp near Sudan border

Somali president calls on Somaliland for dialogue, says unity is non-negotiable

South Sudan: Closed Consultations

Ethiopia dam: Egypt, Sudan welcome Trump mediation

Ugandan leader extends 40-year rule after winning contested pollAl-Burhan says battle with RSF will end only with end of rebellion
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