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Europe with Africa external program is a Belgium-based Center of Experts with deep knowledge, publications and networks, specializing in peacebuilding, refugee protection and resilience issues in the Horn of Africa. EEPA has published extensively on issues related to the movement and / or trafficking of refugees in the Horn of Africa and along the Central Mediterranean Route.
EEPA cooperates with a wide network of universities, research organizations, civil society and experts from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda and throughout Africa. In-depth key posts can be accessed on the website. Key information (in addition to what is already widely published)
Regional dimension (confirmed on December 3)
– Of the 43 divisions in Eritrea, 41 fight in Tigray. Reports were received that soldiers are being forced to fight, including refugees who have been abducted from refugee camps under international protection in Shire (Tigray), with almost 100,000 Eritrean refugees.
– Meskerem (Eritrean opposition) reports that the Eritrean authorities have detained 500 Eritrean soldiers who refused to participate in the fight against Tigray. The Eritrean army has suffered heavy casualties and the devastation and casualties on both sides are significant.
– Eritreans in Germany received a video of an Eritrean speaking to relatives from Eritrea who had been involved in the fighting in Tigray; those involved in the fighting stated that their units had been told to kill wounded people who could not be easily returned to Eritrea. (Unconfirmed)
– Prime Minister Abiy acknowledges Eritrea’s role in the Tigray war.
International dimension (confirmed on December 3)
– The European Commissioner for Crisis Management has met with the Ethiopian Minister of Peace. During the meeting, he called for a peaceful solution to the Tigray crisis and immediate, full and unhindered access for humanitarian workers to conflict-affected areas.
– The German ambassador to Ethiopia met with the Ethiopian House of Representatives and called for a solution through political dialogue.
– The United States Under Secretary of State affirms that active military operations have now ended and that the implementation of unrestricted humanitarian access is essential.
– Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) has called for the release of all journalists detained in Ethiopia.
Half a dozen journalists have been detained since the beginning of the conflict. While Ethiopia has made some major press freedom reforms since 2018, there is fear of a relapse.
– UNHCR chief Filipo Grandi expresses concern about the number of separated children and family members, calling it “exceptional”.
– The French ambassador to Ethiopia, Rémi Maréchaux, met with the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives to discuss the bilateral relations between France and Ethiopia.
– Asks access to Tigray to investigate possible war crimes during a debate in the British Parliament.
– Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, participated in the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union to discuss the launch of the Africa Free Trade Area and the AU 2020 theme: “Silencing the guns”.
– Demonstration for peace organized in Washington DC for Saturday, December 5.
Human rights (confirmed on December 3)
– A humanitarian and diplomatic source told Reuters that four Ethiopian aid workers (possibly a fifth) died in one of the Eritrean refugee camps in Tigray.
Situation in Ethiopia (confirmed on December 3)
– Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy announces that he has held talks with political parties and civil society organizations about the mid-2021 elections.
– Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy claims that he has been negotiating with Dr. Mulu Nega on Tigray; Dr. Mulu is the executive director of the Tigray Transitional Government, appointed by Abiy. The Transitional Government is not recognized by the elected regional government of Tigray.
Situation from refugees (confirmed on December 3)
– Sudan: hundreds of children are arriving in Sudan separated from their parents. They are especially at risk of exploitation, Save the Children says.
– Tigray: The situation of the 96,000 refugees in Tigray remains dire. Reports suggest that food and other necessities have been depleted.
– The United Nations and Ethiopia have agreed on an aid corridor according to a UN spokesman, Saviano Abreu. The UN says it will receive unimpeded access to deliver aid to government-controlled areas. The United Nations has previously deployed personnel to prepare for such an eventuality.
– Tigray refugees continue to report gruesome details of murders and unburied bodies.
– IOM states that the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG) estimates that 1.98 million people could be affected by displacement in northern Ethiopia in the worst case.
– The United Arab Emirates sponsored the transport of 100 tons of emergency aid that arrived in Sudan for refugees from Ethiopia.
Reported situation in Ethiopia (confirmed on December 3)
– 69 people have died in violent clashes in Konso, Oromo in southern Ethiopia.
– Ethiopia Telecom announces responsibility for the communications blackout of more than three weeks in Tigray.
– Telecommunications have been partially restored in the Tigray region in areas such as Dansha, Turkan, Humera, Shiraro, Maytsebri and Maykadra, and have been fully restored in Alamata, Ethio Telecom said.
Disclaimer: All information in this status report is presented as a smooth current report, to the best of the authors’ knowledge and understanding at the time of publication. EEPA does not claim that the information is correct, but does verify to the best of its ability under the circumstances. The publication is evaluated on the basis of interest to understand the potential impacts of the events (or the perceptions of them) on the situation. Check all the information with updates and other means. EEPA is not responsible for the use of the information or the impact of it. All reported information comes from third parties and the content of all reported and linked information remains the sole responsibility of these third parties. report to This e-mail address is protected against spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.any additional information and corrections. [IDN-InDepthNews – 03 December 2020]
Image Credit: Jörg Busse
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Links of interest
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172x2z2d5pgk2k
https://www.awashpost.com/2020/11/30/the-war-in-tigray-is-a-result-of-ethiopias-mismanaged-transition/ https://rsf.org/fr/node/ 46650
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-ethiopia-conflict-aidworkers-idUKKBN28C2MV
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/dec/02/tigray-war-refugees-ethiopia-sudanorth
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