Situation in Sudan (per 16 March)
- 11 people were killed and at least 20 were wounded, including children, after a drone attack on Adikong market near the Sudan-Chad border on Thursday. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said this was the second deadly drone attack on the same area in less than a month.
- Senior Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander Abdel Rahim Bahr Jali and 12 other RSF officers were killed by a Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) drone attack targeting a military convoy in Forbaranga, West Darfur, on Friday, according to a military source in the Sudan Tribune.
- Enagi Abdullah, a prominent Islamist leader and a commander in the paramilitary groups fighting alongside the SAF, was arrested after he declared his group’s explicit support for Iran in its confrontation with Israel and the United States.
- Commander-in-chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the SAF previously warned that the military would not allow any political entity to speak on its behalf and will order legal measures against those attempting to represent the army’s official position.
- The terrorist organization designation by the US of the ‘Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood’ of 9 March could set the US up for conflict with the de-facto Sudanese government, observers state, as the Islamic movement is deeply intertwined with the powers behind the government.
Situation in South Sudan (per 16 March)
- Life-saving services for nearly 187,000 people in Bentiu and Malakal are at risk of stopping in April 2026 due to severe funding shortfalls, leaving already vulnerable communities without the minimum requirements for survival, according to an International Organization for Migration (IOM) report.
- South Sudanese authorities have recently detained several high-ranking current and former officials from the oil and financial sectors in an alleged anti-corruption crackdown that raises concerns about underlying political motives, according to Human Rights Watch.
- South Sudan’s Minister of Health Sarah Rial and a World Health Organisation (WHO) representative visited Lakes State and Warrap State to exchange insights on critical health priorities and strategies to tackle them with local leaders and governors.
- UNMISS facilitated discussions to reform South Sudanese customary “Naath” law and adapt it to today’s reality in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states. The new Naath law now placed a cap on dowries, recognized child rights and abolished forced marriages, UNMISS reports.
Situation in Ethiopia (per 16 March)
- Severe floods and landslides driven by heavy rainfall across the Gamo Zone in southern Ethiopia displaced thousands over the past week, with the WHO deploying rapid response teams to assist local health authorities.
- The death toll from the landslides in southern Ethiopia has risen to 125, according to the South Ethiopia regional government.
- Ethiopia’s parliament declared three days of national mourning following the landslides.
- Political commentator and lecturer at Mekelle University Shewit Gebregzabher was arrested by Mekelle security forces without presenting a court-issued arrest warrant, according to the Addis Standard.
- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai to discuss bilateral ties in business, education, and culture.
- Ethiopia introduced emergency fuel subsidies to shield consumers from surging global oil prices.
Situation in Somalia (per 16 March)
- Somali National Armed Forces, supported by local community defense forces, killed nine Al-Shabaab militants in a targeted operation in the village of Busley Daud in Lower Shabelle region.
- Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency reported that 22 Al-Shabaab fighters, including several senior figures and key financial operatives, were killed in coordinated operations in Mudug and Hiiraan regions carried out in collaboration with international partners.
- Some 6.5 million people in Somalia face acute hunger driven by a deepening drought emergency, with more than a third of those acutely malnourished being children.
- Somalia’s federal government signed a memorandum of understanding with the US state of West Virginia to develop the country’s critical mineral resources.
International and Regional situation (per 16 March)
- Severe floods struck Kenya over the past week, killing at least 66 people. Heavy rainfalls have triggered flash floods and rivers have flooded homes. Half of those killed were in Nairobi.
- The Presidents of Djibouti and Somalia and the Ethiopian Prime Minister held a trilateral summit in Djibouti city, focusing on regional security, economic integration, and the potential economic repercussions of the Middle East conflict on the Horn of Africa.
- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held talks with his Djiboutian counterpart Abdelkader Hussein Omar to strengthen bilateral ties, with Abdelatty emphasizing expanded cooperation in infrastructure, logistics, energy, agriculture, and industry.
- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has travelled to South Africa for a diplomatic visit to strengthen relations between the two countries and advance regional discussions on peace and cooperation.
- Biniam Solomon or “Cobra”, an Eritrean satirical cartoonist, was released after 15 years of imprisonment without a trial and no contact with his family. His release was not explained.
- Djibouti is preparing for the possibility of an attack on the US base there, which is also used for Middle East operations.
Links of interest
Drone attack on market in Sudan kills 11, as air war civilian toll mounts
Sudanese army drone strike kills senior RSF commander in West Darfur
Sudan arrests prominent Islamist leader after pro-Iran remarks
Terrorism Designation Polarizes Sudanese
Critical funding gap for life-saving services Bentiu and Malakal
Corruption-Linked Arrests in South Sudan Raise Questions
From forced marriage abolishment to child protection – customary law reform brings hope
At least 80 dead in floods across Ethiopia, thousands displaced
Death toll from Ethiopia landslides rises to 125, regional government says
Landslide disaster: Ethiopia declares 3-day mourning
PM Abiy and UAE Vice President discuss bilateral ties in business, education and culture
Ethiopia deploys fuel subsidies as global oil shock ripples from Middle East conflict
News: Political commentator, Mekelle University lecturer Shewit Gebregzabher detained in Mekelle
Somalia: Nine Al-Shabaab Militants Killed in Operation by SNA in Lower Shabelle
NISA says 22 al-Shabab fighters killed in operations in Mudug and Hiiraan regions
About 6.5 million people in Somalia face acute hunger due to drought, government and UN say
Somalia signs minerals cooperation deal with U.S. State of West Virginia
Severe flooding kills 66 in Kenya, as heavy rains continue
FMs of Egypt, Djibouti discuss bilateral relations, regional developments
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Visits South Africa for Diplomatic Talks
Eritrean Cartoonist Biniam Solomon Freed After 15 Years in Prison Without Trial
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 