AGP Executive Report

Sudan War Update: Sudan’s army says it is making gains and inflicting heavy losses on the RSF across Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur, with the defense minister calling the RSF “in its weakest state” and vowing operations continue until the paramilitary is defeated. Displacement Watch: The UN migration agency reports nearly 4.65 million displaced people have returned to areas across 74 localities, while Sudan still has about 8.69 million internally displaced people. Humanitarian & Justice: The ICC terminated the war crimes case against former Darfur rebel leader Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain after prosecutors withdrew charges, leaving the door open for a future case. Water Security: A Nile water expert urges Sudan and Ethiopia to adopt a legally binding GERD operating deal with daily data-sharing to prevent shortages and flooding. US Pressure on Sudan: Human Rights Watch says US Congress should strengthen Sudan-focused legislation, pushing for more accountability for abuses by both RSF and SAF.

Sudan Security & Governance: Sudanese police arrested 2,000+ people in a major anti-crime sweep across Khartoum, targeting looting, drug trafficking and organized crime as authorities try to stabilize areas hit by fighting. Military Developments: The Sudanese army has sent reinforcements toward remote Sahara locations in Northern state, signaling a possible push to open a new front against the RSF. Local Society: Young militiamen in army-controlled cities—some as young as 15—are again visible in pickup trucks with missiles, reviving fears of militia infighting as the army relies on new coalitions. Water & Economy: Receding Nile waters are reviving the GERD debate, with water-station shutdowns and irrigation disruptions reported in parts of Khartoum North and Omdurman. International Justice: The ICC dropped a war crimes case against fugitive Sudan rebel Abdallah Banda after prosecutors said they could no longer prove the case. Regional Health: Congo’s Ebola outbreak passed 1,000 deaths, underscoring how conflict and underfunding are accelerating disease spread.

Khartoum Security Sweep: Sudanese police arrested over 2,000 people in a major anti-crime campaign across Khartoum state, targeting looting, drug trafficking and organized crime, while authorities said they’re also recovering stolen property and dismantling criminal networks. War Fears in Army-Controlled Cities: An AFP report warns Sudan could fall into the same militia-on-militia cycle again, as the army relies on powerful allied groups with their own artillery and drones. New Desert Front Signals: The Sudanese army has sent major reinforcements into the Sahara, with convoys moving toward al-Khanaq and al-Raheb, suggesting a push to reopen operations toward the Sudan–Libya–Egypt tri-border area. US Sanctions and Sudan’s Pushback: The US rolled out new sanctions on Sudan over chemical weapons concerns, while Khartoum rejected them as unilateral and illegal. Diplomacy and Regional Links: Sudan backed Saudi Arabia after Yemen’s Houthis announced a maritime blockade, and Sudan also announced support for efforts to protect Red Sea navigation. UN on Resources: The UN chief urged stronger governance of natural resources, warning that gold and gum arabic exploitation is fueling Sudan’s violence and displacement.

Sudan–US Sanctions: The US imposed a new sanctions package on Sudan after concluding Khartoum failed to meet chemical weapons requirements, tightening financial and technical support while carving out basic humanitarian aid. Humanitarian Crisis: UN officials warned violence is worsening hunger and displacement, with WFP saying El Obeid is sliding toward emergency food insecurity for hundreds of thousands. Darfur Aid Shortfalls: Darfur camp coordinators said food aid is effectively absent in several North Darfur camps, reaching only a fraction of needs and forcing families to leave for survival. Red Sea Diplomacy: Sudan backed Saudi Arabia after the Houthis announced a maritime blockade, urging restraint and warning it threatens navigation and regional stability. Accountability Update: The ICC dropped the prosecution of JEM commander Abdallah Banda over a collapse in the case’s ability to reach conviction. Health Funding: WHO appealed for $6.42m to sustain health and nutrition services across Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti as food insecurity deepens.

Local Relief in El Obeid: With fighting between RSF and SAF tightening around the city, local groups are running emergency response rooms to treat the wounded and support civilians as UN warnings grow about possible mass atrocities. Hunger Watch: A new UN food security report says Africa has overtaken Asia as the region with the highest population facing hunger, while malnutrition pressures continue to rise. Peace Mediation Push: IGAD convened a meeting of Special Envoys on Sudan to align regional and international mediation efforts, backed by Japan, as displacement and insecurity deepen. Chemical Weapons Allegations: RSF-aligned groups renewed claims that SAF used banned chemical weapons in North Kordofan’s Umm Garfa, calling for an independent probe. Health Update: Sudan’s Health Minister says cholera cases in parts of North Kordofan are declining, with no sign of wider spread, as surveillance and isolation measures continue. US Policy Pressure: US lawmakers are considering Sudan-focused bills, while reports say Washington is weighing major changes to UNHCR support amid record displacement.

Sudan-US Sanctions: Sudan rejected new US sanctions over alleged chemical weapons use, calling them “unilateral and unlawful” and saying Khartoum denies the claims and remains committed to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Humanitarian Pressure in Sudan: UN officials warned that violence is worsening needs and displacement, with WFP reporting rapidly deteriorating conditions in El Obeid and food as a top priority for tens of thousands of displaced people in Darfur. Refugee Funding Fight: Reuters reports the Trump administration is weighing cutting ties with UNHCR, triggering behind-the-scenes lobbying as diplomats warn any funding loss would hit refugee protection amid record displacement, including from Sudan. Food Security Alarm: A new UN report says Africa has overtaken Asia as the continent with the highest hunger burden, estimating 309 million people in Africa faced hunger in 2025—an outlook that compounds Sudan’s crisis. Regional Governance: OACPS ministers adopted a reform agenda including debt waivers for Somalia and Sudan and steps to implement the Malabo Declaration, alongside resource mobilisation and diaspora engagement.

US Sanctions on Sudan: Washington imposed a new sanctions package over alleged chemical weapons use, restricting loans and exports and banning Sudanese state airlines from US airspace; Khartoum rejects the move as “unilateral and illegal,” saying the claims are baseless and citing the need to follow Chemical Weapons Convention procedures. Chemical Weapons Allegations in North Kurdofan: Reports from Umm Qarfa, North Kurdofan, claim Sudanese military aircraft dropped munitions causing colored smoke and strong odors; officials from the government’s humanitarian access authority called for an urgent independent investigation, but the claims remain unverified. War Economy and Accountability: A UN-linked push highlights how Sudan’s war economy—especially gum arabic trade—helps sustain conflict, while CPJ and the Sudanese Journalists’ Syndicate submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council ahead of Sudan’s review, detailing attacks on journalists and near-total impunity. Local Life and Youth: In Ramgarh, a district-level volleyball tournament was inaugurated to promote sports and discourage drug abuse under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. Education Policy: South Sudan’s higher education minister pledged to ease tax and accreditation hurdles for private universities, aiming to improve access and quality. Sports: Sudan’s football scene continues with coverage of the Premier League opening match attended by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Chemical Weapons & Sanctions: Sudan’s government and foreign ministry rejected new US sanctions tied to alleged chemical weapons use in the war, calling them unilateral, illegal, and based on false claims, while officials in the “peace government” in Nyala demanded an urgent independent international probe after allegations from Umm Qarfa, North Kordofan. Humanitarian Funding Pressure: The UN’s liquidity squeeze remains a major threat to rights and aid work, and WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean office is urgently seeking $6.42m to keep health and nutrition services running across Somalia, Sudan and Djibouti. War Economy, Drones & Civilian Harm: Reports highlight how drone attacks are reshaping daily life in Sudan’s besieged areas, with El Obeid described as a place where civilians fear strikes from the sky. Accountability Push: DAWN urged the UN to impose an arms embargo on the UAE over alleged support to the RSF, citing links to atrocities in Sudan. Regional Security Spillover: Nigeria’s Operation Hadin Kai announced arrests of suspected foreign terrorist-linked suspects, including a Sudanese man, alongside a woman claiming to be an illegal immigrant. Culture Under Fire: A report says Khartoum’s National Museum was used as a military stronghold, leaving weapons and damage inside Sudan’s heritage spaces.

Sudan-US Sanctions Clash: Khartoum rejected new U.S. sanctions as “unilateral, illegal,” saying Washington ignored the Chemical Weapons Convention process and offered no credible proof, while the measures target loans, financial help, and most U.S. exports (humanitarian aid exempt). Gender-Based Violence in War: UNFPA and EU officials warned that Sudan’s civil war is driving a sharp rise in gender-based violence, with women and girls facing multidimensional poverty, displacement, and barriers to protection and healthcare. Humanitarian Crisis Deepens: UNFPA said pregnant women are giving birth without basic care as health services, water, and electricity deteriorate, especially in Kordofan, Blue Nile, and White Nile. Desert Deaths: South Darfur authorities reported 33 bodies found near a broken-down vehicle between Mellit and Al Dabba, after travelers were stranded for about two months. Sudan’s Gum Arabic Under Strain: A report highlighted how war and displacement are crippling gum arabic production, pushing producers off land and raising fears the trade could fuel conflict. Regional Security Spillover: In southern Chad, clashes near Korbol killed 17 MPRD rebels and five soldiers, displacing thousands toward Chad. Coastal Migration Crackdown: Coastal security in Sirte said it apprehended 55 migrants on a beach in Harawa, including Egyptians, Djiboutians, Somalis, Sudanese, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis.

Sudan Conflict & Humanitarian Toll: South Darfur authorities say 33 people, mostly women and children, were found dead after a desert journey went wrong between Mellit and Al Dabba, with the group missing for about two months. War Economy & Gum Arabic: A new report highlights how Sudan’s gum arabic belt has been hit by displacement and forest destruction, while the trade is increasingly flagged internationally as part of the conflict’s funding web. Press Freedom in Darfur: Darfur24 Network issued a public statement warning of renewed targeting of journalists covering Darfur amid ongoing RSF and SLA-Anur control battles. Regional Diplomacy: Iraq’s PM Ali al-Zaidi is set to visit Tehran with a proposal to host US-Iran talks in Baghdad’s orbit, as Iran-aligned factions criticize the outreach. Cross-Border Security: Somalia’s interior ministry urged an end to fighting in Lower Shabelle and called on elders and civil society to push dialogue after accusations of security officials fueling unrest. International Justice: Rights groups and lawmakers continue pushing back against moves to weaken the International Criminal Court, with Sudan-related atrocity concerns in the background.

Sudan War Economy & Sanctions: A new UN warning says Sudan’s war economy is being sustained through the gum arabic trade, helping keep fighting going even as international pressure grows; the EU has also moved to curb financing by targeting Sudan’s gold networks with sanctions. El-Obeid & ICC Pressure: UN officials warn atrocities could repeat in Sudan’s El-Obeid, while the wider international debate over the ICC intensifies as the US pushes to weaken the court. RSF & Power Attacks: Sudanese authorities say RSF targeted a power station in Northern State, underscoring how infrastructure remains a key battleground. Humanitarian Fallout: WFP warns aid is falling short as displacement swells in El Obeid, leaving more families exposed to hunger and disease. Regional Diplomacy: Germany and the African Union launched a new strategic foreign and security dialogue in Addis Ababa, aiming to coordinate responses to conflicts across the continent.

Sudan War Economy & Aid Pressure: A new UN warning says Sudan’s “war economy” is sustaining conflict, with gum arabic trade and other resources helping keep fighting alive, while WFP warns aid is falling short as displacement swells in El Obeid. UK Sanctions on Sudan Gold: The UK moves to sanction gold networks accused of funding the war, adding to EU efforts to curb Sudan’s gold exports. Sudan Legal Action & Accountability: Sudan says it will pursue new legal steps against the UAE over alleged war crimes, as international pressure grows over external support to the RSF. El Obeid Humanitarian Alarm: UN reporting highlights worsening conditions in El Obeid, including drone-linked attacks that endanger civilians and disrupt services amid cholera risks. Regional Security Spillover: Separately, reports say RSF targeted a power station in Northern State, underscoring how infrastructure attacks keep spreading harm beyond front lines.

Sudan Humanitarian Crisis: WFP warns that El Obeid is being overwhelmed by displacement, with food, water and fuel shortages worsening as the city’s population nearly doubles and many families receive little or nothing. Sudan War Economy & Aid: UN-linked reporting highlights how Sudan’s war economy and key trade flows are sustaining conflict, while aid shortfalls are hitting frontline women’s groups and services. International Justice Pressure: A growing coalition of civil society groups urges the U.S. to stop its push to disable the International Criminal Court, warning it undermines accountability for atrocity crimes. Regional Diplomacy: Sudan’s Burhan met an African intelligence delegation to discuss stability, as international efforts continue around El Obeid and broader violence. Public Health Watch: UN warnings point to disease risks spreading as drone attacks and insecurity disrupt aid and basic services.

El-Obeid Humanitarian Strain: The World Food Programme says El-Obeid is under siege and rapidly outpacing aid, with the city now hosting nearly twice its pre-war population as displaced families pour in; WFP warns of worsening food, water and fuel shortages. Sudan Legal Push: Sudan’s Justice Minister says the government is preparing new legal action against the UAE over alleged RSF support and atrocities, citing seized weapons and drones displayed by the army. Local Violence in Al-Dabba: Eight people were killed and 16 injured in clashes in Al-Dabba market, followed by RSF shelling of an electricity substation, with doctors’ groups calling it a systematic attack on civilians and services. Security Talks: Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met an African intelligence delegation (CISSA) to discuss restoring stability and cooperation against the RSF. Gold War Economy Under Pressure: The UN human rights office reports looted gold and gum arabic are major revenue sources sustaining the SAF and RSF war effort. UK Sanctions on Gold Networks: The UK announced sanctions targeting individuals and state-linked mining firms accused of financing Sudan’s conflict through gold trade.

El-Obeid Crisis: G7 foreign ministers urged an immediate halt to drone strikes and any actions blocking humanitarian access in El-Obeid, warning of further atrocities after El Fasher. War Economy Exposed: The UN verified that looted gold and gum arabic are being used to bankroll Sudan’s war, with gum arabic described as a major revenue source for SAF and RSF. Sanctions Pressure: The UK announced sanctions targeting networks profiting from Sudan’s gold trade, aiming to disrupt funding links to both sides. Humanitarian Strain: MSF said El Obeid’s frontline is under 40 km, with increased drone strikes worsening access to water, shelter, and lifesaving care. Justice Efforts: The ICC deputy prosecutor said investigations into El Geneina and El Fasher crimes have made progress, including work on gender-based crimes and crimes against children. Displacement Update: About 1,000 more Sudanese returned from Egypt in 20 vehicles, bringing this month’s total to 3,800, as voluntary returns continue. Northern Sudan Security: Eight people were killed in gang clashes in Al Dabah, with police reinforcing to restore order.

El Obeid Under Siege: MSF says drone strikes near El Obeid in North Kordofan are worsening access to water, shelter and lifesaving care as the frontline sits under 40 km from the city. ICC Progress in Darfur: The ICC deputy prosecutor reports advances in investigations into crimes in El Geneina and El Fasher, including witness interviews and work linking atrocities to senior perpetrators. War Economy Exposed: A UN human rights report warns Sudan’s “war economy” is sustaining fighting, pointing to gum arabic trade and other commodity routes that fuel conflict and risk abuses across global supply chains. Humanitarian Alarm: OCHA warns cholera is spreading into new areas of Darfur and Kordofan amid drone attacks that endanger civilians and aid operations. Economic Pressure at Home: A currency crisis story says Central Bank measures are only partial fixes as the dollar climbs again and regulators move against banks over foreign exchange violations. Sanctions and Atrocity Claims: Amnesty urges African leaders to push for action on Sudan’s conflict, while new sanctions target illicit gold networks tied to the war. Health System Strain: UN data says millions of children worldwide remain “zero-dose,” with conflict and displacement still blocking routine immunisation.