AGP Executive Report

Sudan War & Accountability: Survivors from al-Fashir’s siege describe captivity, beatings, stolen savings, and killings by RSF fighters, as Reuters reports civilians fleeing toward Chad in late 2025. Human Rights & External Support: Human Rights Watch accuses the UAE of recruiting and routing Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside Sudan’s RSF, alleging UAE-linked infrastructure and training. Defections & Symbolic Politics: A defector commander from RSF, “Savannah,” filmed himself performing Hajj in Mecca days after breaking with the group, drawing sharp backlash from Sudanese victims’ voices. Ebola Cross-Border Measures: Uganda shut its DRC border over a Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, allowing only response teams, humanitarian work, cargo, and security, with mandatory 21-day isolation for returnees. Public Health Reality Check: Experts warn the outbreak’s rarity and lack of licensed Bundibugyo vaccines or treatments make community trust and engagement as crucial as medical tools. Regional Diplomacy Pressure: Trump’s push to tie the Iran ceasefire to expanded Abraham Accords is being mocked and resisted across parts of the Middle East, with Pakistan again rejecting the idea.

Sudan War Accountability: Human Rights Watch says the UAE trained Colombian mercenaries at bases in Al Dhafra and Abu Dhabi before they were sent to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces, renewing accusations of outside backing for atrocities in Sudan. Ebola Watch: Oxford University’s Vaccine Group is developing and trialling a vaccine for the latest DR Congo Ebola outbreak, with a possible candidate in 2–3 months as WHO flags the Bundibugyo strain as a very high public health risk. UN Pressure: Liberia urged sweeping UN Security Council reforms, warning that selective multilateralism and structural inequities are eroding the UN’s credibility. Middle East Shockwaves: As US-Iran talks continue, fresh US strikes drew Iranian warnings of “bad faith,” while Trump again pushed a condition for any Iran deal: more Muslim states signing the Abraham Accords—setting up fresh diplomatic friction, including with Pakistan. Sudan Context: The week also carried reports of drone strikes near Sudan’s borders and ongoing displacement, underscoring how fast the humanitarian situation is worsening even as diplomacy churns elsewhere.

Sudan War’s Civilian Toll: A drone strike blamed on the RSF hit the border town of Al-Tina near Chad, killing at least 14 people—mostly women—while a communications blackout left details murky. Foreign-Backed Conflict Claims: A new rights report alleges UAE-linked networks helped move and train Colombian mercenaries for the RSF, adding pressure on Gulf states tied to Sudan’s war. Diplomacy and Protection: UN officials say they’re pushing de-escalation and civilian protection, even as drone attacks raise the risk for displaced communities. Regional Politics Spillover: In parallel, Algeria used Africa Day to call for dialogue on Mali and Sudan and urged international efforts to stay aligned with UN-led Libya talks. Global Humanitarian Alarm: A Lancet-backed report warns the aid system is “no longer fit for purpose,” with Sudan highlighted as a case where hospitals close and famine spreads.

Sudan War Accountability: A Sudanese paramilitary commander tied to filmed civilian killings in al-Fashir has reportedly been released from prison and sent back to the front, despite RSF denials and a promise of court action—raising fresh alarms about impunity as fighting drags on. US-Iran Escalation: The US says it carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, hitting missile sites and mine-laying boats, even as talks in Doha continue and Trump claims negotiations are “proceeding nicely,” threatening the fragile ceasefire and global energy stability. Abraham Accords Pressure: Trump is pushing Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to normalize ties with Israel as part of any Iran deal; Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif rejects it as against “fundamental ideologies,” saying Israel can’t be trusted. Regional Spillover: An Israeli strike in eastern Lebanon killed 12 as Israel calls up more troops, underscoring how the Iran file is tightening the wider Middle East.

Sudan War & Rights: A new human-rights report alleges a Darfur man, Omar Mohammed Omar Daris, was arrested at Port Sudan in March 2024, then tortured and convicted under anti-terror laws—adding to mounting claims of abuse against civilians in western Sudan. Humanitarian Returns: Libya’s government says it is continuing the repatriation of displaced Sudanese via Mitiga International Airport, with Sudanese embassy coordination and “safe and orderly” returns. War Economy: In the north, gold mining is pulling in desperate families as farming collapses and conflict-linked smuggling keeps the war economy moving. Regional Diplomacy: While not Sudan-specific, the week’s biggest political shock is US President Trump tying any Iran ceasefire to a push for Arab and Muslim states to join the Abraham Accords—raising fresh uncertainty across the region that Sudan’s war already feeds on. Health Watch: Ebola fears remain high across Africa, with WHO and Africa CDC rolling out a major response plan as outbreaks flare in DRC and Uganda.

Sudan Frontline Update: The Sudanese army says it captured al-Baraka on the outskirts of al-Kurmuk in Blue Nile, near the Ethiopian border, after clashes with RSF militants, claiming the area was “fully secured” and that vehicles and equipment were seized or destroyed. Humanitarian Pressure: The fighting is deepening one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with famine, mass displacement, and reports of thousands missing. Regional Diplomacy Noise: While Sudan’s war grinds on, foreign ministers across Muslim-majority states have condemned Somaliland’s planned “embassy” in occupied Jerusalem as “illegal and unacceptable,” including Sudan among the signatories. Security Institutions: In Zimbabwe, Freedom House ranks the country among the least free in SADC, while in South Africa, the Phala Phala saga continues to fuel political/legal battles—background to how accountability fights keep resurfacing across the region. Africa Day Lens: Across the continent, Africa Day 2026 celebrations are tied to themes like unity and water sustainability, even as conflict and governance gaps keep progress out of reach.

Sudan War Update: Sudan’s army says it captured Al-Baraka on the outskirts of Al-Kurmuk in Blue Nile, near the Ethiopian border, after clashes with RSF, claiming the area was “fully secured” and that vehicles and equipment were seized or destroyed; RSF has not commented. Diplomacy & Regional Politics: A bloc of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers—including Sudan—condemned Somaliland’s planned “embassy” in occupied Jerusalem as “illegal and unacceptable,” calling it a violation of international law and pledging support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty. Humanitarian Spotlight: A new study warns hunger is being used as a weapon of war, citing over 20,000 incidents of food-based violence since 2018, with Sudan among the hardest hit. Global Pressure on Gulf Ties: Rights groups launched “Blood on the Ball,” urging the NBA to drop UAE sponsorship over alleged UAE support for the RSF.

Ceasefire Push in Nairobi: Sudanese civil and political forces have proposed a renewable three-month truce to end the war, with local, regional and international monitoring and a joint military committee to track violations and accountability. The plan was discussed during talks in Nairobi under the “Sudanese Declaration of Principles Forces for Building a New Homeland,” including Sumud (Abdullah Hamdok) and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (Abdul Wahid al-Nur), aiming to create space for political dialogue between the SAF and RSF. Press Freedom Under Fire: UNESCO honored the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate with the 2026 World Press Freedom Prize, citing killings and media crackdowns that have turned parts of Sudan into a “zone of silence.” War’s New Battlefield: Reports also claim a Rafale jet was downed over Sudan using a Turkish drone, underscoring how drone warfare is reshaping air combat. Health Crisis Looms: WHO declared an Ebola emergency as a rare strain spreads in Central Africa, raising regional spillover fears.

Nairobi Peace Talks: Sudanese political and armed groups have opened talks in Nairobi under a “Sudanese Declaration of Principles Forces for Building a New Homeland,” with figures including Abdalla Hamdok and Abdelwahid al-Nur among those at the table, aiming to chart a path to end the war and restore stability. War’s Human Cost: Families across Khartoum state are still searching for thousands missing after the conflict, with many believed buried in unmarked graves—an open wound that keeps widening as people get no answers. Security Flashpoint: The Sudanese Armed Forces say they shot down a “hostile drone” that crossed from Ethiopia over Al-Damazin in Blue Nile, underscoring how the SAF–RSF power struggle keeps spilling across borders. Regional Links: In a separate development, Badr Airlines launched a new commercial flight to Asmara, signaling continued Sudan–Eritrea connectivity even as the war grinds on. Health Pressure: Aid groups and experts warn Sudan’s war-linked sexual violence is driving traumatic fistula cases, with women on the Chad border waiting for surgery.

Sudan Missing and Unmarked Graves: After three years of war, Sudan’s families are still searching for thousands of people who vanished during fighting, displacement, or detention—many believed buried in unmarked graves across Khartoum. One case is Fahmy al-Fateh, last seen leaving a Khartoum military base over a year ago; his wife says she has searched hospitals, morgues, and camps with no answers. Capital Recovery, Fragile Rebuilding: In the background, Khartoum’s slow return to normalcy is underway after SAF regained control of the city and surrounding areas, but rebuilding water, power, schools, and damaged heritage remains a daily struggle. War’s Wider Human Cost: The latest reporting also keeps spotlighting mass humanitarian violations and the way civilians pay the price—missing persons, destroyed infrastructure, and families left in limbo. Regional Mediation Push: Qatar’s foreign policy chief renewed calls for stronger mediation, arguing wars now spill across the Gulf, Red Sea, and beyond—while Sudan remains one of the crises on the list.

Sudan War’s Human Cost: A new AFP account puts a spotlight on rape survivors and the children born from assaults during the Khartoum conflict, underscoring how sexual violence is shaping a generation. Civilians Under Fire: The same week’s reporting also highlights how attacks on health and protection keep collapsing in practice, even as diplomats repeat legal promises. Ebola Shockwaves in the Region: While not Sudan-specific, the Congo–Uganda Ebola emergency is worsening the strain on fragile systems—no vaccine is ready for the suspected Bundibugyo strain, so treatment centers and surveillance are the immediate lifeline. Diplomacy in the Background: Egypt and Tunisia met in Cairo and again raised Sudan, calling for a humanitarian truce and a political process led by Sudanese parties. Security Escalation Signals: RSF-linked reporting claims a strike on a Turkish-made air-defense system in Sudan, reflecting how the war’s tech and alliances keep shifting.

Sudan War’s Missing: A new AP report puts a human face on Sudan’s disappearance crisis: more than 8,000 people have gone missing in the three-year war, with many believed buried in unmarked graves after Khartoum’s army retook the capital. Families say they’re left with only rumors and unanswered calls. Ebola Shock in Congo: Health authorities are racing to respond to a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC tied to the rare Bundibugyo strain—one where no approved vaccines or treatments exist yet, even as experimental options are being assessed. Aid Under Pressure: A separate humanitarian analysis warns that cuts to major aid funding are worsening conflict dynamics across the most aid-dependent regions. Regional Diplomacy: Turkey and Sudan continue talks on peace and reconstruction, while Qatar reiterates mediation as a core foreign-policy tool—explicitly citing Sudan among past mediation efforts. Red Sea Tensions: Ethiopia accuses Egypt of obstructing its Red Sea access after Egypt-Eritrea maritime deals.

Sudan Conflict: RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) escalated internal purges after a defection: he stripped defected brigadier Ali Rizqallah (“Al-Safana”) of rank, referred him to retirement, and sentenced him to death in absentia—setting the stage for a sharper fight over Kordofan and Darfur. Humanitarian Crisis: UN officials warned civilians are still dying at a staggering pace—about one every 14 minutes in 2025—while attacks on medical care and aid workers keep worsening, with Sudan named among the hardest-hit. Humanitarian Funding Shock: A new study in Science links abrupt USAID cuts to a sustained rise in conflict across Africa’s most USAID-dependent regions, adding pressure to already collapsing aid systems. Health Watch: In the wider region, WHO and partners are racing to respond to a Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, where there are no approved vaccines or treatments yet. Regional Politics: Türkiye’s Erdogan met Sudan’s PM Kamil Idris in Ankara, reiterating support for Sudan’s sovereignty and backing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire and political process.

Sudan War Update: A drone strike hit a crowded market in West Kordofan’s Ghubaysh, killing at least 28 people and wounding dozens, as rights groups blame the Sudanese army; the attack lands amid a wider pattern of civilian harm as UN officials warn civilians are dying at staggering rates in conflicts worldwide. Diplomacy & Sovereignty: Türkiye’s UN envoy urged consistent application of international humanitarian law and warned against “double standards,” while President Erdoğan met Sudan’s PM Kamil Idris in Ankara, reiterating support for Sudan’s sovereignty and backing a ceasefire plus a political process. Humanitarian Pressure: The UN says Sudan’s humanitarian crisis remains catastrophic, with hunger and aid collapse deepening the danger for millions. Health Response Beyond Sudan: Separately, the US is working with a San Diego biotech to make an experimental Ebola antibody available for high-risk people as the outbreak worsens in the region.

Drone Strike Toll in Kordofan: A drone attack hit a crowded market in Ghubaysh, West Kordofan, killing at least 28 people and injuring dozens, with witnesses describing a strike that hit a restaurant and caused panic as civilians tried to buy food and supplies. War Crimes Accountability Fight: The Sudanese Armed Forces denied responsibility, saying they target only “military objectives,” while the wider pattern of drone warfare is again raising pressure on both sides over civilian harm. RSF Leadership Rumor Denied: Separately, the RSF rejected reports that Abu Lulu (al-Fateh Abdullah Idris) had been released after being filmed killing civilians in al-Fashir, insisting he remains detained and that any claims are part of an “incitement” campaign. Humanitarian Pressure: With Sudan’s war continuing to drive displacement and hunger, aid groups and UN partners keep pushing relief—while the latest market deaths underline how fast civilians are still being hit.

Drone Strike Fallout: A drone attack on a crowded market in Ghubaysh, West Kordofan, killed 28 and injured dozens, with Sudan’s army denying civilian targeting and saying it hit RSF vehicles—while rights groups accuse the army of striking civilians; the UN says drone warfare has already killed hundreds of civilians this year. Humanitarian Pressure: Egypt again urged an end to arms flows to “illegal entities” in Sudan and pushed for a humanitarian truce and ceasefire talks led by Sudanese parties. Refugee Support: UNHCR and Al-Rahma signed a grant to deliver relief items to 428 Sudanese refugee families in eastern Chad amid severe funding gaps. Connectivity and Trade: Qatar Airways announced expanded service to Port Sudan, adding three weekly flights from July 2, as Sudan’s war reshapes routes and logistics. Ebola Alarm (Regional, not Sudan): WHO chief Tedros warned of the “scale and speed” of an Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda, with the world watching how fast surveillance and treatment can move.