Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia persist due to the MoU signed with Somaliland. Speaking before the parliamentary assembly, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that "Ethiopia does not intend to cause any harm to its friend, Somalia." These statements come after a unified response from the international community in support of Somalia, with the US, China, and the European Union expressing their support for Mogadishu. Despite Addis Ababa's attempt to ease tensions, relations between the parties remain strained, as demonstrated during the African Union General Assembly on February 17th and 18th. The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Ethiopian security forces of attempting to prevent President Hassan Sheikh from participating in the Assembly's proceedings. This accusation was rejected by the Addis Ababa government, which claimed that the Mogadishu delegation had tried to enter the AU headquarters armed. Hassan Sheikh, who participated in the proceedings as usual, stated that his delegation had been subjected to intimidating behavior due to his government's denunciation of the MoU with Somaliland for access to the port of Berbera. The latest twist in the matter was the Somali parliament's rejection of the agreement's ratification. The Hargeisa parliament rejected the deal, labeling it "illegal" and calling it a "threat to the unity of the people of Somaliland," urging the executive to withdraw the MoU and halt the ratification process. Meanwhile, internal tensions in the country show no signs of abating. The Ethiopian parliament extended the state of emergency in the Amhara region, and the crisis in Tigray has worsened. The Tigrayan population denounces livestock theft and kidnappings conducted by the Eritrean army. The federal government has met with the Tigray regional executive in the context of the humanitarian crisis affecting the northern region. The Tigrayan delegation, led by interim president Getachew Reda, accused Addis Ababa of deliberately ignoring the famine affecting the region, accusations rejected by Addis Ababa, which states that the deaths in Tigray cannot be attributed to a humanitarian crisis.Inizio modulo
The war in Sudan shows no signs of abating. According to reports from the RSF and SAF commands, high-ranking officials from both factions allegedly met in Bahrain three times during January in the presence of representatives from the United States and Saudi Arabia. Details regarding the progress and the subject matter of these meetings have not been disclosed. Meanwhile, the US has imposed new sanctions against the belligerent entities. The US Department of the Treasury has announced sanctions on Alkhaleej Bank and Al-Fakher Advanced Works, both owned by RSF's Hemedti, and Zadna International, associated with the Sudanese regular army. The conflict also continues on the propaganda front. The head of the RSF, General Hemedti, declared that his forces are ready to militarily resolve the conflict in a matter of weeks in an audio message addressed to army generals: "We do not seek war, but as long as it is your choice, you must be prepared." In this context, the de facto leader of the Sudanese government, General Al-Burhan, has blocked humanitarian aid access to areas controlled by the RSF, warning that deliveries will not resume until the RSF is defeated. The month concluded with reports from the SAF on the advancement of their forces in the strategic center of Omdurman, which were denied by the RSF.
Kenya continues to grapple with its financial crisis. President Ruto has announced plans to repurchase a portion of treasury bonds during the February-March period, and then seek coverage for the remaining portion of public debt from private partners in the markets. The government's privatization process is also progressing, with the announcement of the sale of seven state-owned enterprises, including the Development Bank of Kenya. The rest of the companies being put on the market are all in the hospitality sector. Positive data has also emerged regarding the revenues of the Port of Mombasa, which have increased by 6.23% annually, demonstrating how the infrastructure can withstand competition from the Port of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Meanwhile, Kenyan Secretary of Defense Aden Dualey, during a visit to Washington, declared that Nairobi will continue to stand by the United States in the mission to secure maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Nairobi's decision is influenced not only by its privileged relationship with the USA but also by the risks stemming from the economic implications on maritime transportation costs following Houthi attacks. President William Ruto has been invited by President Biden to the White House to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations in May, coinciding with the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Download the February 2024 reportThe Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a strategic infrastructure for the future of Ethiopia, which however represents an element of tension between the countries located along the river Nile.
The trilateral meeting between Italy, Ethiopia and Somalia held during Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Ethiopia highlights Italy’s intention to view this region as strategic for the stability of the Broader Mediterranean. Her visit coincides with the beginning of hostilities in Sudan, which threatens to unleash a new wave of illegal migration towards Italian shores.
Med-Or Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Sudan for collaboration in the fields of higher education and culture.
Head of state | Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council) |
Head of Government | Osman Hussein |
Institutional Form | Federal provisional government |
Capital | Khartoum |
Legislative Power | Transitional Legislative Council |
Judicial Power | National Supreme Court (70 judges divided in panels of 3 judges); Constitutional Court (9 judges) |
Ambassador to Italy | Sayed Altayeb Ahmed |
Total Area kmq | 1,886,068 km2 |
Land | 1.731.671 km2 |
Weather | Rainy in the south, dry in the central and northern part of the country. Sudan's rainy season lasts for about four months (June to September) in the north, and up to six months (May to October) in the south |
Natural resources | oil, land and hydroelectric energy |
Economic summary | The Sudanese economy suffers prolonged social conflict and the loss of 3/4 of its oil production due to the secession of South Sudan; the country struggles to stabilise its economy and offse the loss of foreign exchange earnings. It’s the world’s largest exporter of gum arabic, and it produces 75-80% of the world’s total production; about 80% of workforce is employed in agriculture. |
GDP | $34.33 billion (Dec. 2021) |
Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $3839 (Dec. 2021) |
Exports | $4.03 billion (2020) |
Export partner | UAE 46.1%, China 19%, India 6.3%, Saudi Arabia 5.98%, Italy 4.06% Egypt 3.55% (2020) |
Imports | $8.58 billion (2020) |
Import partner | China 29.3%, UAE 13.3%, India 12.2%, Saudi Arabia 7.51%, Egypt 5.51%, Russia 4.14% (2020) |
Trade With Italy | $ 300 million (2021) |
Population | 47.958.856 (2022) |
Population Growth | 2,55% (2022 est.) |
Ethnicities | Sudanese Arab 70%, Beja 5.5%, Nuba 2.5%, Fur 2%, Egyptian 1.2%, Fulani 0.5%, other 18.34% |
Languages | Arabic and English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur |
Religions | Sunni Islam, small Christian minority |
Urbanization | 36% (2022) |
Literacy | 60.7% |
Sudan, whose independence dates back to 1956, is a state located in Northeastern Africa. The country borders to the north with Egypt and Libya, to the west with Chad, to the southwest with the Central African Republic, to the south with South Sudan, to the southeast with Ethiopia and to the east with Eritrea and the Red Sea. The population is about 48 million and the official languages are Arabic and English.
Once the largest country in Africa, after 2011 Sudan had to give up a big portion of its territory to the newly formed state of South Sudan. The secession of South Sudan deprived the country of three-quarters of its oil production, and the economy is experiencing difficulties.
Although trade volumes between Italy and Sudan remain low, in the last few years, Italy has had a highly positive trade balance and ranks second among the country’s main European trade partners, after Germany. As the economy is still largely focused on farming, agriculture is the sector in which there are the strongest relations between the two countries. Following the removal of US sanctions, many Italian companies have started seeing Sudan as a potentially interesting market.
Italy also contributes to various humanitarian initiatives, especially in the eastern regions of the country.