The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed concern on Saturday about the current tense situation in Sudan and called on all sides to work together to restore a civilian-led government. In a statement on Saturday, Türk urged the parties to put aside their differences and personal interests and focus on the common interests of the Sudanese people. “As I had said during my visit to Sudan in November, the country is at a decisive juncture. Much work has been done and many positive steps taken towards the signature of a final agreement – all efforts must now go to get the political transition back on the right path,” the High Commissioner said.

The United Nations food relief agency is investigating the theft of food aid from lifesaving humanitarian operations in Ethiopia, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press. The World Food Program’s Ethiopia director, Claude Jibidar, says in the letter that “WFP is very concerned about the large-scale sale of food in some markets” which “poses not only a reputational risk but also threatens our capacity to mobilize more resources for the needy people.” He adds that it “is therefore imperative that immediate actions be taken to curb … the misappropriation and diversion of humanitarian food” in the country. The letter is dated April 5 and addressed to humanitarian partners of WFP in Ethiopia, where drought and internal conflict have left 20 million of the country’s 120 million people reliant on aid.

At least two people were killed by an explosion in the capital of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, which has been convulsed by days of protests against the integration of local security forces into the national police and army. Members of Amhara’s local military and allied militias said they oppose the government’s order to disband and join the federal army or police, sparking days of protests in several towns and cities across the region. On Monday an explosion killed two people and injured several others in Bahir Dar, according to a police officer. It was not clear what caused the explosion or whether it was linked to the protests. Mitiku Tegne, acting medical director of the city’s Addis Alem Hospital, said three men watching football at a bar were killed and 15 injured in the incident. … Banks, schools and government offices were closed in another city in Amhara, Debre Birhan, on Tuesday, following days of protests in the area against the government’s move.