SITUATION REPORT – HORN OF AFRICA No. 485, 05 October 2023

Situation in Ethiopia (per 5 October)

• No motion on the extension of the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) has been filed to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). The deadline for submitting motions was set for 4 October. 
• There is “strong evidence of the presence of multiple risk factors for further atrocity crimes in Ethiopia”, said ICHREE in its latest report to the HRC on Tuesday. ICHREE found the presence of all common risk factors as identified in the United Nations Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes. 
• Despite many calls from the international community, the EU and member states have diverted from their commitment to support the investigation of crimes committed in Ethiopia “by failing to renew the expert commission”, said Tirana Hassan, director of Human Rights Watch. 
• The official mandate of the ICHREE is due to expire on 13 October 2023.
• Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief of the World Health Organisation (WHO), was investigated by the Federal Government of Ethiopia in 2021, according to a report by Bloomberg. 
• The file with documents from the investigation, seen by Bloomberg, was reportedly referred to the Ethiopian police and attorney general, however, no charges are known to have been filed.
• The investigation appeared to be a targeted campaign based on his Tigray ethnicity, said Tedros, who had been known to openly speak against the Federal government obstructing humanitarian aid distribution in Tigray during the two-year war. 
• The bank of Abyssinia decided to administer the bank branches in Western Tigray zones through the Bahir Dar District of the Amhara region. 
• Global Society of Tigray Scholars & Professionals raised concerns that by doing this, the Bank of Abyssinia undermines Ethiopian constitution, goes against the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and fuels the already tense ethnic polarisation in Ethiopia. 
• Drought-related hunger caused the deaths of at least 18 people in the Wag Hemra zone and 16 people died in the North Gondar zone in the Amhara region. Herders lost about 10,000 cattle across the two zones. 
• Zonal and district authorities raised the alarm for urgent food assistance to affected areas before the outbreak of an even more serious emergency. 

Situation in Tigray (per 5 October)

• 86% of health care facilities across the Tigray region sustained damage during the 2 year war period as a direct result of attacks or looting, shows a new report by the WHO. 27% of the medical equipment was fully damaged while 72% incurred partial damage. 
• 92% of the facilities are currently only partially functioning due to the lack of medical supplies, equipment and financial resources, says the report. 
• The Interim Regional Administration of Tigray met with Koffi Kouame, country representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),  discussing and planning activities in support of women and youth and eradicating gender based violence in Tigray. 

Situation in Sudan (per 5 October)

• The Ethiopian embassy in Khartoum was shelled on Tuesday. Both warring parties, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), have been accusing the opposing side. 
• The embassy building was damaged but no deaths or injuries were reported. Due to recurring attacks on the embassy, the Ethiopian government is preparing an evacuation plan for the staff members. 
• Lack of safety, interference by the warring sides and severe underfunding precludes the UN from delivering operations for 18 million people in need in Sudan. 
• The Sudanese Ministry of Health is not addressing the urgent situation regarding spread of dengue fever and malaria diseases, according to the director of El Salam Diabetes Centre in El Fasher. 
• Diseases have been rapidly increasing across all states in Sudan. Destruction of infrastructure complicates the delivery of humanitarian assistance and medical supplies for patients’ treatment. 
• The Sudanese delegation to the UN HRC rejected a proposal to establish an independent international committee to investigate crimes committed in Sudan since the start of the war. 

Refugee Situation (per 5 October)

International Situation (per 5 October)

• The EU pledged €650 million in assistance to Ethiopia, after aid was suspended since late 2020 due to war in Ethiopia. The new Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) will focus on three thematic areas namely, the Green Deal, human development and governance, and peacebuilding. 
• Jutta Urpilainen, the EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, announced the EU’s MIP during her meeting with Ethiopia Minister of Finance, Ahmed Shide, on Tuesday in Addis Ababa. 
• The US appointed a new ambassador to Ethiopia. Ervin Massinga presented his credentials to Ethiopian president Sahle-Work Zewde on Tuesday. 
• A pro-Eritrean government group referring to the ‘Fourth Front’ or 4G has announced a demonstration with military character in the Netherlands (either Amsterdam or The Hague) on 16 October to “take revenge and be compensated for our disrupted festivals.” 
• Eritrean refugees warn of the military character of the action and call on authorities to stop it.
• EU ambassadors have reportedly agreed on a framework for sanctioning key actors in Sudan’s war, according to Reuters sources. The final sign off by EU foreign ministers is expected later this month.

Links of interest

Human Rights Council: EU Fails Ethiopia’s Victims
International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia: The acute risk of further atrocity crimes in Ethiopia: an analysis
The Secret Plot Against the Head of the World Health Organization
Twitter: Global Society of Tigray Scholars & Professionals
At least 18 people die of drought-related hunger in two districts in Wag Hemra zone, Amhara region
HeRAMS Tigray Baseline Report 2023: Operational status of the health system
Twitter: Tigrai Television
Ethiopian Embassy in Sudan reportedly shelled with heavy artillery
Sudan rejects Western proposal to investigate war violations
UN struggling to reach 18 million people in need in war-torn Sudan
Sudan Ministry of Health ‘absent’ as dengue fever spreads
Sudan rejects Western proposal to investigate war violations
Sudan war : hunger threatens refugees returning to South Sudan
Aid woefully inadequate for returnees stuck in deplorable conditions in Renk
European Union launches Cooperation priorities with Ethiopia for peacebuilding, reconstruction and green transition
The Eritrean “Fourth Front” announces a ‘revenge demonstration’ in the Netherlands for festival disruptions
EU agrees sanctions framework for key actors in Sudan war – sources