The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan called on member states and regional and international partners to take urgent action to prevent renewed conflict and secure lasting peace, irrespective of the electoral timetable. The commission warned that the political settlement established in 2018 to prevent another war is being undermined, putting civilians and the country’s fragile transition at grave risk. “A negotiated settlement has been displaced under cover of elections. This amounts to a constitutional coup through legislative reforms: the unilateral dismantling of the inclusive power-sharing settlement and concentration of all authority in the President,” Yasmin Sooka, chair of the commission, told the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee. Radio Tamazuj

The number of people fleeing violence in Ethiopia into neighboring Kenya has risen to 36,000, the United Nations said Tuesday, as fighting near the border town of Moyale continues to displace civilians, mostly women and children. The Kenya Red Cross said the displaced people were sheltering in six camps and villages within host communities. … The fighting on the Ethiopian side of the border stems from a territorial dispute between the Oromia and Somali regional administrations, aggravated by the killing of a 13-year-old girl in an area administered by the Somali regional administration. … Local leaders in Kenya’s Marsabit County expressed concern that the influx could overwhelm communities hosting thousands of those fleeing and appealed for support. The violence has raised security concerns on the Kenyan side of the border, with police reporting three incidents involving stray bullets in Moyale last week. AP

The United Nations’ political mission in Somalia ends Saturday, closing more than three decades of successive U.N. missions that helped rebuild a country shattered by civil war and leaving no agreed replacement to help rival leaders resolve disputes. The government calls the closure a milestone in Somalia’s ability to manage its own affairs. But opposition figures and analysts warn that it comes at a time when the president’s right to remain in office is contested, militants fight on and drought deepens humanitarian needs. Somalia’s government asked the U.N. to close the mission in 2024. The Security Council approved a two-year handover of its work to Somali institutions and other U.N. bodies. The departing United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia has advised Somali leaders and helped resolve political disputes. African Union troops will continue supporting Somali forces fighting militants, and U.N. aid agencies will remain in the country. A separate U.N. office will continue providing supplies, transport and other support to African Union troops and some Somali security units. AP

Ethiopia has received 12 Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, as fighting intensified in the northern Tigray region neighbouring Eritrea. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who is attending the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, described the acquisition as a “milestone” that would boost Ethiopia’s defence capacity. He said Ethiopia and Russia agreed on the deal several years ago and the warplanes had come ahead of schedule. He also said that Ethiopia had plans to acquire four S-400 air defence systems from Moscow. … Ethiopia has extensively used military drones, including those sourced from Turkey and China, in recent conflicts. BBC