AGP Executive Report

Sudan Humanitarian Access: The UN says the Delling–Habila road in South Kordofan has reopened after months of fighting, but civilians are still in grave danger as drone strikes and shelling continue—one strike reportedly hit a health facility and destroyed medical supplies. Conflict and Civilians: The same period brought reports of multiple deaths and injuries across South and West Kordofan, with markets only beginning to recover as the SAF advanced and clashes with the RSF persisted. Ebola Shockwave: While Sudan’s access story moves, a separate crisis is dominating global health—WHO says there’s no Ebola vaccine ready for the current DRC/ Uganda outbreak strain (Bundibugyo), with treatment centers and surveillance now the main focus. Regional Security Politics: In Iraq, Harakat Al-Nujaba rejected any PMF merger into formal security structures, calling it a US “project,” a reminder of how armed groups resist consolidation across the region.

Sudan War’s Missing: Khartoum families are still waiting on answers as more than 8,000 people are reported missing after three years of fighting, with many believed buried in unmarked graves after the army retook the capital. Ebola Alarm in Congo/Uganda: Health authorities are racing to contain a Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, where there are no proven vaccines or treatments yet and cases are expected to rise. Aid Sector Under Strain: A new push argues humanitarian cuts are worsening crises, with affected communities and local actors calling for a bigger say. Africa Day Context: Commentators mark May 25 with warnings that conflicts, inequality, and weak governance are still delaying progress. Red Sea Power Struggle: Ports and corridors remain a battleground for influence, raising fears of wider trade and energy disruption. Global Watch: Trump’s shifting troop talk about Europe and renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew also dominated headlines.

Humanitarian Funding Shock: A new humanitarian commission warns that U.S.-led aid cuts could drive up to 14 million avoidable deaths by 2030, arguing the crisis is also political and moral—not just money. Ebola Escalation in Congo: WHO-linked reporting says the Bundibugyo-strain outbreak in eastern DR Congo has no approved vaccine or treatment yet, as global health teams race to test experimental options and expand access. Sudan War Under Pressure: Amid wider regional instability, Sudan remains in the spotlight for ongoing violence and civilian harm, with fresh reporting tying drone warfare to rising casualties. Hormuz Fallout: The World Health Assembly condemned Iran’s Gulf attacks and disruption of Hormuz shipping, while UN-linked warnings say the blockade could trigger a global food-price crisis within a year. Regional Diplomacy: Turkey’s UN envoy urged consistent civilian protection rules across crises, explicitly naming Sudan and Gaza.

Protection of Civilians Push: Türkiye’s UN envoy urged consistent application of international humanitarian law, warning against “double standards” and calling Gaza and Sudan “catastrophic” priorities. Sudan War’s Civilian Toll: A drone strike hit a crowded market in West Kordofan’s Ghubaysh, killing 28 and wounding dozens, as rights groups say civilians keep paying the price. Diplomacy for Sudan: President Erdoğan met Sudan’s PM Kamil Idris in Ankara, reiterating support for Sudan’s sovereignty and backing efforts for a ceasefire and political process. Humanitarian Health Response: The US is working with San Diego biotech Mapp Biopharmaceutical to make an experimental Ebola antibody available for people at high risk of exposure, as the DRC outbreak worsens. Regional Security Context: Turkey’s stance comes as the wider region remains volatile, with reports of Iran tightening control mechanisms around Hormuz shipping routes.

Sudan War Update: The latest reports add to Sudan’s mounting toll as a drone strike hit a busy market in Ghubaysh, West Kordofan, with early claims of at least 28 deaths, underscoring how markets and health services keep getting targeted. RSF Accountability Fight: The RSF has denied claims that Abu Lulu—Brig. Gen. al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, filmed killing civilians in al-Fashir—was released, insisting he remains detained and that any release talk is part of an “incitement” campaign. Humanitarian Pressure: UN-linked coverage continues to flag a deepening hunger crisis, with tens of millions facing acute food insecurity as displacement and insecurity drag on. Regional Spotlight: Separately, Sudan’s war remains entangled in wider geopolitics, including renewed attention to how foreign actors and regional security interests shape the conflict’s trajectory.

Ebola Alarm: WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus says he’s “deeply concerned” about the “scale and speed” of a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, with hundreds of suspected cases and confirmed spread into urban areas, prompting an emergency committee meeting and new U.S. funding for treatment clinics. Sudan Humanitarian Relief: UNHCR and Al-Rahma signed a grant to support 428 Sudanese refugee families in Chad with essentials like hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, and solar lamps as funding pressure bites. Regional Diplomacy on Sudan: Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty met Britain to push for a humanitarian truce, safe corridors, and a Sudanese-led political process, while warning against “parallel entities” undermining state institutions. Governance Focus: Lagos doubled down on evidence-based SDG delivery, integrating data across ministries and agencies to speed measurable outcomes. Middle East Power Shift: Commentary says the UAE-Saudi rivalry has further hollowed out the Abraham Accords as Israel-UAE and other new axes reshape the region. Water Crisis Watch: A new report warns the world is heading toward a water catastrophe, with Sudan and beyond facing mounting pressure.

Ebola Alarm: WHO chief Tedros says he’s “deeply concerned” about the scale and speed of a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, after Congo reported 134 suspected deaths and 500+ suspected cases; the virus spread for weeks before being properly identified, and the WHO emergency committee is meeting as cases appear in urban areas and among healthcare workers. Sudan Diplomacy: Egypt’s FM Badr Abdelatty urged an end to arms flows to “illegal entities” in Sudan while pushing for a humanitarian truce and ceasefire talks with Spain. EU Sanctions Push: Sudanese victims asked the EU to sanction UAE officials and firms they accuse of RSF links. Khartoum Recovery: A new report paints a cautious return to daily life in Khartoum, with some areas still largely deserted. Aviation & Aid: Qatar Airways plans more Africa flights and a new Port Sudan route; UNHCR warns it must cut jobs amid funding shortfalls.

Sudan War Accountability: A Sudanese RSF commander tied to widely shared footage of civilian killings has reportedly been released from prison and returned to active combat, renewing outrage and pressure for accountability as the conflict grinds on. Economic Strain: Sudan’s inflation jumped to 45.84% in April as the pound keeps sliding, hitting essentials like food, transport, and fuel. Humanitarian Pressure: Hunger remains a looming crisis, with monitors warning nearly 20 million people still face acute food insecurity. Regional Shockwaves: The wider region is also dealing with a fast-moving Ebola emergency in Congo and Uganda, with WHO sounding the alarm after delayed detection. Local Governance Focus: In Morobo County, officials say security and basic services—medicine, schools, and clean water—are the priorities as communities mark SPLA’s anniversary.

Sudan Accountability Shock: A Sudanese RSF commander filmed allegedly executing civilians in al-Fashir has reportedly been released from prison and returned to active combat, according to Reuters—an abrupt turn that’s reigniting global pressure on accountability as the war grinds on. Economy Under Strain: Sudan’s inflation hit 45.84% in April as the pound weakens further, with urban inflation jumping to 49.70% and rural to 43.62%. Humanitarian Pressure: UN-linked reporting this week warns hunger is worsening, with nearly 20 million people facing acute food insecurity. Ebola Spillover Context: While not Sudan-specific, WHO’s Ebola emergency in eastern Congo and Uganda is driving regional border and surveillance moves—another reminder of how fast crises can spread when systems are stretched.

Sudan’s War, Off the World’s Radar: A new wave of attention is hitting Sudan again, but not because the crisis is improving. A recent report says the country’s suffering has been “conditionally visible” to global headlines—especially after the U.S. moved to label the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization, tying Khartoum more tightly to the wider Iran conflict. Humanitarian Pressure: Meanwhile, UN-linked coverage keeps spotlighting hunger: nearly 20 million people in Sudan are still facing acute food shortages, with famine risks persisting. Civilians Under Fire: Drones are also being blamed for rising civilian casualties, underscoring how the war’s tactics keep worsening daily life. Context: Older reporting shows the conflict has been “slow-motion” for years—mass displacement, collapsing services, and empty cities—so the latest attention is more about geopolitics than relief.

Sudan Humanitarian Pressure: Sudan’s hunger crisis is worsening, with UN-linked reporting warning that millions face acute food shortages and famine risk as the war grinds on. Civilians Under Fire: New analysis highlights how drones are driving civilian deaths in Sudan, with experts pointing to foreign-supplied drone capabilities fueling attacks. Displacement Watch: Reports also point to continued mass displacement, including tens of thousands fleeing in Blue Nile amid ongoing fighting. Regional Diplomacy: Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris met President Mohammed Shahabuddin in the UK, with the visit focused on health updates and reaffirming ties. What Else Is Moving: Outside Sudan, the week’s biggest shockwaves include a fresh Ebola emergency in DRC and Uganda, and major political shakeups in Iraq as Ali al-Zaidi takes office—developments that could shape regional aid and security attention.

Sudan Civilian Toll: Experts warn that foreign-supplied drones are driving a sharp rise in civilian deaths, with UN officials saying drones account for over 80% of conflict-related fatalities; reports cite at least 880 civilian deaths from drone strikes between January and April. Humanitarian Alarm: UN agencies say hunger is worsening fast: over 19.5 million people face crisis levels of food insecurity, with more than five million in emergency hunger and 14 high-risk areas in Darfur and Kordofan facing famine risk if access and fighting conditions deteriorate. Diplomatic Moves: Sudan’s PM Kamil Idris met President Mohammed Shahabuddin in London, with the president recovering after a heart blockage treated by angioplasty and stent. Regional Context: The week also brought renewed focus on security and governance across the region, including Iraq’s new PM Ali al-Zaidi taking office and pledging reforms—while Sudan’s war continues to shape the humanitarian and security landscape.

Sudan Hunger Crisis: UN agencies warn nearly 20 million people in Sudan face acute hunger, with over 5 million in emergency levels and 135,000 already in catastrophic conditions, while 14 areas remain at risk of famine if fighting and aid access worsen. War’s Civilian Toll: A new report says armed drones are driving the deadliest civilian harm in the conflict, with drones killing at least 880 civilians between January and April and hitting places like hospitals, schools, and markets. Daily Survival Strain: In Khartoum’s outskirts, prolonged outages and service collapse are turning water access into a daily ordeal—long queues, rising prices, and fears of disease from unsafe supplies. Diplomatic Moves: Sudan’s PM Kamil Idris met President Mohammed Shahabuddin in London, discussing leadership and Bangladesh’s peacekeeping role. Regional Context: Egypt and Eritrea signed a maritime pact, stressing Red Sea security should be handled by littoral states—a reminder of how regional security decisions ripple into Sudan’s crisis.

Drones and civilian harm: A new AP report says drone warfare is now the leading cause of civilian deaths in Sudan, with at least 880 civilians killed by drones from January to April, as both the Sudanese army and RSF use foreign-supplied drone tech to strike hospitals, schools, markets and Khartoum’s airport. Humanitarian pressure: Hunger monitors and UN agencies warn the crisis is deepening: nearly 19.5–20 million people face acute hunger, with 135,000 in “catastrophic” conditions across Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan and risks of famine in the coming months. Daily survival: Civilians in Khartoum’s outskirts report water access has collapsed into long queues and rising prices, with families hauling water for survival amid power outages and service breakdowns. Regional spillover: Separate reporting links Sudan’s conflict to wider proxy dynamics, including allegations of foreign arms trafficking networks feeding the war. Politics elsewhere: Iraq’s Shiite blocs are fracturing over cabinet seats and marginalization, a reminder of how regional power struggles keep reshaping conflict politics.

Famine Watch: WFP/FAO/UNICEF warn hunger in Sudan is worsening fast: nearly 19.5 million people face crisis hunger, with 135,000 in catastrophic conditions across Darfur and South Kordofan and more areas at risk as the lean season approaches. Humanitarian Access: Aid is struggling to keep up as violence, displacement, and blocked routes limit deliveries. War Spillover: A separate report says Turkey is allegedly helping Iran transfer weapons to Sudan via sanctions-evasion networks. Politics at Home: In Sudan’s wider political fallout, protesters clashed with the entourage of Prime Minister Kamil Idris during his Oxford Union visit, underscoring anger over civilian harm and war crimes allegations. Regional Pressure: The AU and UN again blamed external interference for fueling conflicts across Africa, naming Sudan among the hardest hit.

Khartoum Airport Under Fire: Drones hit Khartoum’s international airport and SAF installations on May 4, shattering a fragile return to flights; the government then recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia, accusing Addis Ababa of complicity. Hunger Crisis Deepens: A UN-backed monitor says 19.5 million Sudanese face acute hunger, with famine-level risk still concentrated in North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan as drone warfare targets markets, hospitals and power. Regional Tensions Rise: Sudan and Ethiopia trade escalating political and military accusations amid border movements, raising fears of a wider clash. Frontline Shifts: SAF continues drone strikes aimed at RSF leadership and infrastructure in western Sudan, while defections from RSF to the army are linked to intelligence sting operations and incentives. Aid Pressure: CARE warns women and girls are hit first as wealthy countries cut humanitarian funding—Sudan is named among the hardest-hit settings.