Martin Plaut

London

Writer and Senior Research Fellow at Freelance

South Africa, the Horn of Africa. Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies. Made in 🇿🇦🇪🇺🇬🇧

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Articles

Something is happening here…but do you know what it is?

2 days ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

The song by Bob Dylan, Ballad of a Thin Man, contains a haunting refrain: “Something is happening here, but you don’t know what it is, do you Mr Jones?” And that “something” right now seems to be taking place on the border between Eritrea and Tigray. So what do we know? The Mereb Bridge crossing is open at least for the moment. As the BBC reported, crossings are taking place, with families reunited and joy all round. But is this all it seems? Who is making the crossing?
Eritrean Blue Revolution Front Proposes a Roadmap for post-PFDJ regime Political Process: Part One

3 days ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

It is no secret that Eritreans are suffering from horrific political repression, economic decline, and social destruction. Therefore, the importance and urgency of the desired democratic change in Eritrea, and the need to overcome the challenges of transitioning to it, and thus ensuring regime change, are urgent, as the country’s very existence is now at risk.
EEPA SITUATION REPORT - HORN OF AFRICA, No. 641 - 23 June 2025

4 days ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

Escalation of the conflict and a severe security breakdown characterized by extrajudicial killings, looting, and kidnappings are reported from Nyala, South Darfur, with allegations that senior Rapid Support Forces (RSF) officers are orchestrating these crimes. Specialized kidnapping groups have emerged in Nyala, with over 100 individuals reported missing in the past two months, while the RSF reportedly maintains several detention centers where civilians are held on accusations of espionage.
Trump bombing of Iranian nuclear targets: Implications for the Horn

6 days ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

President Trump’s decision to hit Iran came before the deadline he had set for Iran to agree to end its nuclear enrichment programme. Speaking to the American public, the President made it clear that the attacks were not the end of America’s operations in Iran. “With all that being said, this cannot continue,” Trump announced. “There will be either peace or tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days. Remember, there are many targets left.
Eritrean Blue Revolution Front Political Charter

1 week ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

Source: Blue Revolution FrontOur guiding principles for the National charter:Our guiding principles lay a strong foundation for a just and inclusive national charter. They reflect a commitment to human dignity, cultural heritage, and equality, fundamental pillars in shaping a fair and cohesive society. These guiding principles have far-reaching implications for governance, society, and individual rights.
SITUATION REPORT - HORN OF AFRICA & NEWS HIGHLIGHTS, No. 640 - 19 June 2025

1 week ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have taken control of the Chevrolet military base in Northern State, near the Sudan-Libya border. Following the RSF’s recent capture of the strategic “Triangle” area at the Libyan-Sudanese-Egyptian border, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) retreated to the Chevrolet base. The new territorial gains by RSF raise questions about the SAF’s operational capabilities in the region and could facilitate further RSF advances in El Fasher, North Darfur.
G7 Leaders’ Statement on Transnational Repression

1 week ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

Statement June 17, 2025 Kananaskis, AlbertaWe, the Leaders of the G7, are deeply concerned by growing reports of transnational repression (TNR). TNR is an aggressive form of foreign interference whereby states or their proxies attempt to intimidate, harass, harm or coerce individuals or communities outside their borders. TNR undermines national security, state sovereignty, the safety and human rights of victims, and principles of international law. It has a chilling effect in our countries.
Tigray’s divided politics caught between Addis and Asmara

1 week ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

Source: The Ethiopian Cable TeamThe factionalism that has defined Tigray’s regional politics in recent months shows no sign of easing. With Getachew Reda having been ousted as Tigray Interim Administration (TIA) president in March, his replacement—Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede—has inherited a hornet’s nest of competing interests, with Addis and Asmara both dangerously seeking to ingratiate themselves amidst the looming threat of conflict.
SITUATION REPORT - HORN OF AFRICA, No. 639 - 16 June 2025

1 week ago | martinplaut.com | Martin Plaut

A renewed attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher, North Darfur, was repelled by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allies on Sunday, states SAF. The fighting took place on the eastern and northeastern fronts of the city. A shelter at the Ministry of Agriculture building in El Fasher was hit during the fighting, killing 5 people and injuring 30. Catholic Priest Fr. Luke Jumu and two other people were killed during fighting in El Fasher on 13 June.
The Origins - Fano Before It Had a Name (1896)

1 week ago | martinplaut.com | Haimanot B. Atinkut |Martin Plaut

Fano was never built to govern. But it has forced the government to face a deeper truth: a state that does not protect cannot command loyalty. In a fractured federation, resistance becomes its own kind of institution. When the state abandons its people, the people respond—first with prayers, then with poetry, and eventually, with weapons. By Haimanot B. Atinkut, Freelance ContributorThe origins of Fano are not found in declarations or official commands.