AGP Executive Report

Sudan War Politics: RSF commander Mohamed Dagalo has ordered a security and defence council to build a “new national army” combining RSF, SPLA and other armed groups, deepening the country’s split as SAF and RSF each run rival areas. Addis Ababa Dialogue: Sudan’s Democratic Bloc is fracturing ahead of talks in Ethiopia, with SLM-Abdelwahid joining while multiple groups boycott, accusing the “quintet” of steering the agenda and legitimising an RSF-linked track. Sexual Violence in War: The UN says sexual violence is a defining feature of Sudan’s conflict, with women subjected to rape and sexual slavery and forced ransoms, and highlights RSF-linked abuses in Khartoum, Darfur and Gezira. Humanitarian and Rights: UNFPA describes parts of Khartoum as a “ghost town” yet notes people are returning; it also warns healthcare access is badly disrupted, including emergency care for rape cases. Media Support: The Sudanese Journalists Syndicate says it has backed more than 1,000 media workers since the war began, with extra focus on women and health needs. Ebola Push: CEPI funding is backing three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines as the outbreak spreads in DR Congo and Uganda.

Diplomatic Push for Sudan Dialogue: The UN’s Quintet is convening Sudanese civilian stakeholders in Addis Ababa and UN envoy Pekka Haavisto is set to travel to Sudan later this week to continue consultations on an inter-Sudanese dialogue. War Crimes and Survivors’ Testimony: New reporting highlights sexual violence in Sudan’s war, including women abducted and forced to pay ransoms for release, underscoring the urgent need for accountability. Displacement in Blue Nile: IOM says more than 10,000 people were displaced in Sudan’s Blue Nile in just three weeks in May as attacks intensified, with tens of thousands now sheltering in informal sites and schools. International Pressure on Partners: Human rights advocates are urging the NBA to end its UAE partnership, alleging Abu Dhabi’s support for Sudan’s RSF has helped shield it from scrutiny. Regional Engagement: Turkish President Erdoğan met Sudan’s Burhan in Ankara, reaffirming support for ending the conflict and expanding trade, energy, agriculture, and defense ties.

Sudan War Updates: The IOM says more than 10,000 people were displaced in Sudan’s Blue Nile in just three weeks in May, pushing the state total to about 59,742 as fighting intensifies and people flee areas previously controlled by the RSF. Darfur & Kordofan Violence: New drone attacks have struck across Darfur and Kordofan, with reports of deaths and injuries, while tribal clashes continue to flare amid accusations between warring parties. Information War: A new report highlights how SAF and RSF wage a “virtual war” across broadcast and social media, shaping narratives and making it harder for the public to find the truth. Humanitarian & Rights Pressure: Human rights groups warn that attacks on health and broader rights violations in conflict zones persist despite UN protections, underscoring the lack of accountability. Regional Diplomacy: Turkish President Erdoğan met Sudan’s Burhan in Ankara, pledging support for peace efforts and stronger ties in trade, agriculture, energy and defense. Labour Cooperation: Sudan’s labour minister met counterparts at the ILO conference in Geneva to discuss cooperation on labour issues.

Sudan War & Rights: Amnesty reports RSF and allied militias used gang rape, sexual slavery and abductions to terrorise communities and force displacement, while Sudan’s medical and legal support systems have largely collapsed. Kordofan Displacement: IOM says 2,245 people were displaced from South Kordofan towns including Kadugli and Dilling over three days as security worsened, with more than 132,000 displaced since Oct 2025. Child Health in Conflict: International Children’s Day coverage highlights how missed routine vaccines during Sudan’s war are leaving children vulnerable to preventable diseases, with families in places like Kosti describing the loss of medical records and disrupted care. Food Aid Leadership: UN WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau took over as humanitarian needs surge and funding gaps deepen, including across conflict-affected countries such as Sudan. Ebola Preparedness (Regional): Health agencies are racing to fast-track Bundibugyo Ebola options in the DRC, underscoring how fragile health systems across the region struggle to respond fast enough.

Kordofan Drone Toll: Two drone attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan killed at least 67 people, including children and women, as displaced families were reportedly hit while seeking safety. Ebola Vaccine Push: Global health funders are fast-tracking three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines for the DRC outbreak, with major work still ahead before trials can begin. Sudan’s Media Scrutiny: Sky News Arabia’s joint venture is ending, with full control shifting to UAE-based IMI amid renewed questions about how Sudan’s war is covered. Darfur Aftermath: Al-Fashir survivors describe the brutality of the RSF assault and siege, detailing captivity, killings, and the desperate flight to the Chad-Sudan border. Children Pay the Price: Sudanese children are missing routine vaccinations due to war and displacement, leaving preventable diseases like measles to spread. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt condemned Somaliland’s planned Jerusalem embassy, warning it breaches international law and could reshape Horn-of-Africa influence.

Kordofan Drone Toll: Two drone attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan killed at least 67 people, including children and women, with displaced families reportedly hit at shelter sites; a rights group said the West Kordofan strike hit a civilian area, while a local leader blamed the RSF for the North Kordofan attack as insecurity forces more people to flee. Sky News Arabia Ownership Shift: Sky Group ended joint ownership of Sky News Arabia, handing full operational control to UAE-based IMI amid renewed scrutiny over how the channel covers Sudan’s war and violence linked to the RSF. Ebola Readiness Push: Sudan’s region-wide health concern grows as the NCCRM strengthens Ebola preparedness and response readiness, focusing on prevention, early warning, public awareness, and coordination. Air Defense in Focus: MISBAR reports signs of a Turkish-made HISAR-A air defense system appearing in Sudan’s conflict, underscoring how drone warfare is reshaping the battlefield. Ebola Prevention Trial Update: WHO-backed plans include testing a 10-day pill course as post-exposure protection in the current outbreak, aiming to slow spread where vaccines aren’t yet available.

Sudan War Update: Human Rights Watch reports mass abuses around El Fasher, North Darfur, including killings of civilians and people trying to flee, with survivors describing RSF fighters and alleged foreign-linked personnel; the account adds to mounting allegations of atrocities in the city after the RSF takeover. Military & Accountability: A separate report says Sudan’s conflict has drawn in foreign-linked contractors, including claims that Emirati-linked channels trained and deployed Colombian mercenaries for RSF operations—raising pressure on regional backers. Humanitarian Pressure: The UN World Food Programme warns it is feeding fewer people than needed because funding is only about half of what’s required, as food insecurity rises and donors cut back. Press Freedom: Iraq’s media regulator suspended and restricted multiple outlets and journalists, while Sudan is cited among the lowest-ranked countries for press freedom—highlighting the wider regional crackdown on independent reporting. Regional Diplomacy: Pakistan’s foreign minister rejects any shift on Israel recognition amid US talk of expanding the Abraham Accords, keeping the issue politically sensitive across the region.

Sudan Military Shake-Up: Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced a sweeping reorganization of Sudan’s armed forces, placing allied groups under formal army command and naming new top posts, as the SAF-RSF power struggle threatens to deepen fractures. Kordofan Civilian Toll: Reports say RSF-linked forces killed 27 civilians in a Kordofan attack, adding to mounting allegations of atrocities across the war. Humanitarian Crisis Spotlight: A new wave of coverage highlights Sudan as the world’s largest humanitarian emergency, with millions displaced and widespread sexual violence, including against children. Eid Messages & Politics: Sudan’s Eid communications signal a shift from war rhetoric toward calls for dialogue and peace talks. Security & External Influence: Analysts and rights groups continue to scrutinize foreign backing for Sudan’s warring sides, including claims about UAE-linked support. Culture & Heritage Under Threat: Archaeologists using satellite tech report 6,000-year-old burial sites in eastern Sudan are being destroyed by an uncontrolled gold rush and civil strife. Ebola Watch (Region): Central Africa’s Ebola resurgence, including Bundibugyo strain concerns in the DRC and Uganda border area, keeps regional health preparedness in focus.

Sudan Conflict: RSF-linked forces are accused of killing 27 civilians in a Kordofan attack, adding to mounting reports of atrocities and civilian harm. Regional Diplomacy: AU officials are weighing options for Sudan’s reinstatement, as El Burhan pushes for broad national dialogue and rival leaders compete over a postwar political path. Eid and Public Mood: Sudan’s Eid messages signal a shift from war rhetoric toward peace talks, reflecting pressure for de-escalation. UAE Scrutiny: A German think tank says the UAE plays a destabilizing role across African conflicts, citing support to armed groups tied to Sudan’s war. International Law Debate: Commentary argues the ICC is moving fast on Gaza but staying silent on Iran’s role, reigniting questions about accountability in conflicts affecting the region. Health Watch (DRC): Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is worsening, with WHO urging experimental vaccines and treatments only in clinical trials due to limited options.

Sudan Conflict: Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are accused of killing 27 civilians in a North Kordofan attack during Eid al-Adha, with local medical monitors saying the targeted villages had no military presence. Regional Diplomacy: The AU is weighing how to handle Sudan’s suspended membership after the 2021 coup, balancing “zero tolerance” with the urgent need for peacebuilding and political dialogue. Eid Rhetoric Shift: Eid al-Adha messages from Sudan’s army and RSF reportedly toned down war language, focusing more on stability and the return of displaced people. Ebola Watch: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is worsening, with WHO warning response delays as the virus spreads; Uganda also tightened border measures and North America increased screening, while Emirates issued travel advisories. International Law Debate: A new push argues the UN and international rules are being sidelined by powerful states, with Sudan named among conflicts where the system is failing to mediate effectively.

Sudan Peace Signals: Eid al-Adha messages from Sudan’s SAF and RSF shifted away from war talk toward peace, stability, and the return of displaced people, following recent hints from Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan about openness to dialogue. Political Dialogue Push: El Burhan also announced plans for a broad Sudanese-Sudanese political dialogue inside the country, aiming at reconstruction and a civilian transition, while reactions quickly exposed deep divisions. Humanitarian Scale: Aid groups warn Sudan’s civil war remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 33 million people needing help, including millions facing acute food insecurity and children suffering severe malnutrition. Regional Security Links: A US-French meeting focused on Sudan and Libya, tying cooperation to Berlin Conference outcomes and the Joint Declaration of Principles. Ebola Watch: Emirates issued updated Ebola travel guidance as US and Canada tightened entry screening for travellers linked to Uganda, while Congo sought an experimental monoclonal antibody for the Bundibugyo strain. Culture & Community: Khartoum-born singer Taha Suliman is using Eid performances in Dubai to bring Sudanese joy and unity amid ongoing war trauma.

Sudan War & Politics: Eid al-Adha speeches sharpened the split between Sudan’s rival leaders, with SAF chief Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan calling for a broad “Sudanese-Sudanese” national dialogue while excluding forces “stained with blood,” as reactions show deep divisions ahead of June 3 talks backed by regional and international bodies. Humanitarian Crisis: A new report warns Sudan’s civil war has become the world’s largest humanitarian emergency, with 33 million people needing aid, including millions facing acute food insecurity and children suffering severe malnutrition. UAE/RSF Allegations: Human Rights Watch says Colombian mercenaries accused of atrocities in El Fasher were trained in UAE-linked bases and deployed with the RSF, adding pressure on claims of external involvement. Local Suffering Stories: Khartoum and Darfur survivors describe rape, displacement, and rebuilding from scratch after RSF/war violence. Sudan Civil Society: A coalition of independent democratic groups signed a charter, “Towards Building a New Nation,” calling for a civilian-led transition and a comprehensive political solution.

Ebola Emergency: The WHO has declared a public health emergency as a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak spreads in eastern DR Congo and Uganda, with officials warning weak health systems, conflict, and delayed detection could let cases surge. Sudan War Humanitarian Pressure: The WFP says acute hunger is rising fast, warning that Middle East conflict and higher energy prices are pushing millions closer to famine—an added strain on already fragile regions, including Sudan. Ethiopia Poll Fallout: Ethiopia’s election authority has suspended voting in dozens of districts across Amhara and Tigray due to insecurity, underscoring how postwar tensions still disrupt governance. Rights Watch: Poland’s human rights commissioner says a “temporary” asylum ban on migrants crossing from Belarus has stayed in place for over a year and still restricts constitutional rights. Regional Diplomacy: As US-Iran talks continue, Trump is pressing Muslim-majority states to join the Abraham Accords—Pakistan publicly rejects the demand.

Ebola at the border: Uganda has temporarily closed its border with the DRC as Ebola spreads, allowing only authorized response teams, humanitarian workers, cargo and security to cross under strict screening, with anyone returning facing 21 days of self-isolation. Sudan war’s human cost: Survivors from al-Fashir describe brutal captivity and killings during the RSF assault, with Reuters reporting civilians fled a famine-stricken siege and arrived in Chad starving and injured. Environmental fallout in Sudan: In River Nile State, cyanide-tainted ponds linked to unregulated gold mining killed an entire sheep flock, renewing calls for tighter oversight of chemical pits near villages and grazing areas. Rights and accountability: Sudan-linked attention also surfaced through NHRC calls for investigations into alleged instigation and roles during the Gen Z movement, including named former officials and lawmakers. Regional politics: A fresh push tied to the Abraham Accords continues to stir backlash across Muslim-majority states, with Pakistan rejecting the idea of joining.

US-Iran Ceasefire Under Strain: Fresh U.S. strikes on southern Iran—targeting missile sites and mine-laying boats—have drawn Tehran’s fury, with Iran calling them “bad faith” and warning of consequences, while the U.S. says it acted defensively as talks continue in Qatar and Iran begins restoring internet after a long shutdown. Abraham Accords Pressure: Trump says the Iran deal must be tied to a “mandatory” expansion of the Abraham Accords, urging Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan and others to normalize with Israel—prompting Pakistan’s pushback and raising doubts about trust in the process. Sudan War Spillover: A new Human Rights Watch report alleges the UAE trained Colombian mercenaries for Sudan’s RSF, adding to claims of Gulf military support amid ongoing atrocities. Ebola Race: Oxford University is developing and trialling a vaccine for the latest DR Congo Ebola outbreak, aiming for a potential candidate within months as cases rise. UN Credibility Fight: Liberia calls for sweeping UN Security Council reform as the world order faces “dangerous erosion” of respect for international law.

US-Iran Tensions: Iran denounced fresh U.S. strikes in southern Iran as “bad faith,” while the U.S. called them defensive and said it acted with restraint during a fragile ceasefire; Iran also began restoring internet after a shutdown that started in January, and its Revolutionary Guard claimed it shot down drones and a fighter jet. Abraham Accords Pressure: Donald Trump escalated his push to expand the Abraham Accords by urging multiple Muslim states—including Pakistan—to join as part of any Iran deal; Pakistan’s defense minister rejected the idea as conflicting with “fundamental ideologies,” setting up a diplomatic standoff. Sudan War Fallout: UN reporting highlights continued attacks near the Sudan–Chad border and warns drone use is raising risks for civilians, as UN efforts continue toward de-escalation and civilian protection. Humanitarian System Strain: A new Lancet-linked report says the global aid system is “no longer fit for purpose,” with funding cuts and political pressure worsening crises from Sudan to Gaza. Ebola Research: Southwest Research Institute and Texas Biomed announced AI-driven testing of antiviral compounds targeting the Bundibugyo Ebola strain resurfacing in Congo. Local Life: In Spokane, a refugee-supported community garden is scaling up food delivery and language-accessible support.