Situation in Sudan (per 23 March)

  • An attack on the El-Daein Teaching Hospital killed at least 64 people on Friday, including children and medical staff, and wounded at least 89 others according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • A total of 141 reported incidents of conflict related violence affected health care in Sudan during 2025, with at least 53 health workers killed and nine kidnapped, according to tracking data from Insecurity Insight.
  • Recent clashes between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Zaghawa Joint Force allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) across the Chad-Sudan border have resulted in hundreds of casualties, disrupted border trade and cross-border humanitarian operations.
  • Sudan faces acute medicine shortages as the Gulf conflict raised import, shipping, and production costs, with insurance and transport costs having increased up to 120% according to Walid Mohamed Ahmed, the head of Sudan’s medicine importers’ division.
  • Sudan has launched USSD-based mobile financial services to widen the access and bring cash from the shadow economy into the formal banking system, however, damaged networks and weak infrastructure cast doubt on how effective this move will be.

Situation in South Sudan (per 23 March)

  • Essential services, including clean water, sanitation and flood protection in Bentiu and Malakal are at immediate risk of collapsing due to a 6 million USD funding shortfall, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
  • Authorities in the Abyei Administrative Area reported that over 20,000 internally displaced people fleeing violence in Ruweng Administrative Area are in urgent need of food, shelter, and medicine, with conditions described as “horrible” as the rainy season begins and humanitarian response remains limited despite assistance from the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei and faith-based organizations.
  • Seven people were killed in a series of separate incidents in Gogrial East County, Warrap state. The incidents included cattle raids, interpersonal disputes, and retaliatory killings carried out under local bylaws allowing the execution of those accused of murder or cattle raiding.

Situation in Ethiopia (per 23 March)

  • At least five local officials, including the district chiefs, were killed in an attack by Fano forces in the South Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, according to the statement by the zone administration released on Friday. The attack reportedly occurred while the officials were on duty.
  • Teachers and students in Tigray are preparing a peaceful demonstration on 24 March to protest federal budget restrictions pushing the region’s education system toward collapse, as teachers have gone unpaid for 16 months and nearly 1.2 million children remain out of school.
  • Ethiopia potato cooperatives are being rebuilt with assistance of farmers in Tigray and the Gamo Zone using improved seed, training and finance to restore production and strengthen food security. The farming in Tigray was severely affected by the two-year war in Tigray.

International and Regional situation (per 23 March)

  • Chad has reportedly reinforced its military deployment near Al-Tina, near the border with Sudan, over the weekend and launched a weapons collection campaign amid fears of a potential incursion into Sudanese territory.
  • At least nine flights of an A300 cargo plane from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to East and Central Africa have been recorded over the past month. The A300 cargo planes linked to a UAE-connected air cargo company have been reportedly supplying weapons to Sudan’s RSF.
  • Somalia’s federal government declared the mandate of South West State’s president expired and said it would no longer recognize the administration’s appointments, arguing that South West State’s president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen had exceeded his legal term and was therefore governing without legitimacy.
  • Djibouti is set to hold its next presidential election in April with incumbent President Ismail Omar Guelleh, in power since 1999, expected to seek re-election following a constitutional amendment removing the 75-year-old age limit.
  • The World Bank approved a 35 million USD grant for Djibouti’s Groundwater Resilience and Water Supply Project, expected to provide basic drinking water to around 127,000 people in rural areas where only 47% of residents currently have access, as part of a wider 455 million USD regional programme implemented in the Horn of Africa.
  • Kenyan nationals enlisted to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine will be granted amnesty upon their return home, said Kenya’s foreign minister, following Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s recent visit to Moscow, where it was agreed that no more Kenyans would be recruited.
  • 252 soldiers are estimated by the Kenyan foreign ministry to have been conscripted to fight for Russia. 
  • Kenya’s President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni launched the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway that will connect the two neighboring countries, marking a major milestone in East Africa’s push for regional integration and cheaper transport.
  • Nationals from 12 additional countries, including Ethiopia and Tunisia, that apply for US B1/B2 visas may be required to post a refundable bond of up to 15,000 USD, as Washington expands its visa bond program to 50 countries to deter overstays and tighten entry rules.

Links of interest

WHO says attack on a hospital in Sudan killed at least 64 people

Attacks on Healthcare: Devastating New Norm as Hotspots Like Sudan Are Overlooked

Chad Border Zone Rocked by Clashes Between Sudanese Factions

Sudan braces for drug shortages as war on Iran impacts supplies

Sudan USSD launch sparks debate over shadow economy

187,000 in South Sudan Risk Losing Life-Saving Services as USD 6 Million Funding Gap Looms

7 killed in separate incidents in Gogrial East – Radio Tamazuj

20,485 displaced in Abyei face urgent humanitarian needs – Radio Tamazuj

UNMISS chief Haysom dies amid South Sudan’s fragile transition
The zone administration announced that officials were killed in an attack carried out by Fano forces in South Gondar Zone.

Ethiopia potato cooperatives rebuild after conflict with focus on resilience and growth

News: Tigray education community plans protest over budget cuts threatening schools – Addis Standard

Chadian army bolsters presence near Sudan border as tensions rise

The UAE reorganizes its arms supply network for Sudanese paramilitaries

Somalia says South West State president’s mandate expired as tensions escalate

Djibouti prepares for presidential election | Shabelle Media Network

World Bank approves $35 million for Djibouti as water crisis deepens across Horn of Africa

Kenyans fighting illegally for Russia in Ukraine to be granted amnesty

Work begins to connect Kenya, Uganda via rail

Ethiopia Joins Mauritius, Seychelles, Mozambique, Tunisia, Lesotho, Cambodia, Mongolia and Others as US Expands Entry Restrictions, Impacting Travel with Higher Visa Bond Obligations and Surging Visa Costs

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.