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 war currently underway in Ukraine could have serious repercussions on the food security of some countries in the Near East and North Africa. An analysis by Anna Maria Cossiga
Head of state | President Salva Kiir Mayardit |
Head of Government | President Salva Kiir Mayardit |
Institutional Form | Presidential Republic |
Capital | Juba |
Legislative Power | Bicameral Parliament composed of the Council of States and the Transitional National Legislative Assembly |
Judicial Power | Supreme Court (11 judges) |
Ambassador to Italy | Dhanojak Obongo |
Total Area kmq | 644,329 km2 |
Land | 644,329 km2 |
Weather | hot with seasonal rainfall, especially in the south |
Natural resources | diamonds, hydroelectricity, wood, iron ore, gold, petroleum, limestone, copper, fertile agricultural land, zinc, tungsten. |
Economic summary | South Sudan's economy is severely underdeveloped and poverty is rife after several decades of civil war with Sudan. The vast majority of the population depends on subsistence agriculture and humanitarian assistance. |
GDP | $5,2 billion (2021) |
Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $1600 (2017) |
Exports | $ 3,5 billion (2021) |
Export partner | China 88%, United Arabs Emirates 5% (2019) |
Imports | $ 3,9 billion (2021) |
Import partner | United Arabs Emirates 37%, Kenya 18%, China 18% (2019) |
Trade With Italy | $ 91,62 million (2021) |
Population | 11.544.905 (2022) |
Population Growth | + 4,91% (2022) |
Ethnicities | Dinka (Jieng) 35-40%, Nuer (Naath) 15%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona , Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011) |
Languages | English (official), Arab (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk |
Religions | Christians 60.5%, popular religion 32.9%, Muslims 6.2%, others |
Urbanization | 20.8% (2022) |
Literacy | 34.5% |
South Sudan is a landlocked country located in East-Central Africa, which proclaimed its independence from Sudan after a referendum in 2011. The state borders to the west with the Central African Republic, to the southwest with Congo, to the south with Uganda, to the southeast with Kenya, to the east with Ethiopia and to the north with Sudan. It has a population of 11,5 million and the official language is English, but the most spoken one in the capital is “Juba Arabic”.
South Sudan is a member of the United Nations and the African Union, and the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development. Relations between South Sudan and Sudan have significantly improved following the regime change in Khartoum in 2019. However, there still remain unresolved issues with neighbouring Sudan, especially with regard to the distribution of oil profits. This problem originates from the uneven distribution of oil fields, 80 percent of which now lie in South Sudan, while almost all the oil refining plants and transport infrastructures are located in Sudan. A further issue concerns the disputed Abyei District, an oil-rich border area, which currently enjoys "special administrative status" under the Abyei Conflict Resolution Convention, which is contained in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the two countries.
Although there is a small volume of trade between Italy and South Sudan, the country is one of the main recipients of Italian development cooperation assistance in the region. The Italian Development Cooperation agency has a presence in the country, where it has always been appreciated for its moderate political approach and the promotion of dialogue.