Status of the UN Mission in South Sudan

 The Stimson Center published on 24 June 2026 a report titled "The UN Mission in South Sudan in the Context of Changing Security and Regional Dynamics."

The report concludes that the combined effects of a fragile peace process, heightened political tensions, economic deterioration, the spillover of conflict from Sudan, the emerging Ebola crisis in the neighboring DRC, and growing humanitarian pressures have created a volatile environment in South Sudan.

South Sudan continues to grapple with unresolved questions surrounding the political transition and the lack of implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which remains the primary political framework for addressing the conflict and advancing sustainable peace.  

Somalia's Role in the UN Security Council

 The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in April 2026 a study titled "Somalia's Mandate in the UN Security Council 2025-2026."

The study provides a comprehensive assessment of Somalia's performance during its non-permanent term in 2025-2026 on the UN Security Council.  It evaluates Somalia's institutional capacity, diplomatic engagement, and strategic positioning within the Council. The study also identifies key gaps and offers practical recommendations to strengthen Somalia's diplomatic effectiveness.

UN Security Council Sanctions 4 Commanders in Sudan's Rapid Support Forces

 The Associated Press published on 25 February 2026 an article titled "UN Sanctions 4 Commanders in Sudan's Paramilitary Force Accused of Atrocities in Sudan" by Edith M. Lederer."

The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on 4 commanders of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces suspected of atrocities against civilians.  They face UN travel bans and financial freezes.  

The Complexities of the China-Libya Relationship

 The ChinaMed Project published on 30 January 2026 an analysis titled "China and the Libyan Crisis: Maintaining a Foot in the Door in a Changing Region" by Bianca Pasquier and Leonardo Bruni.  

This paper revisits the past decade of Chinese engagement in Libya, tracing Beijing's evolving relations with the country's factions and situating them within a regional context.  It concludes that China is unlikely to engage deeply in Libya's power struggles.  Beijing will likely keep its options open, be present but uncommitted.  

Morocco-China Relations Advance

 The ChinaMed Project published on 1 December 2025 an article titled "From Geoeconomics to a Chinese Diplomatic Shift on the Western Sahara? Moroccan Press Coverage of FM Bourita's Visit to Beijing" by Imane Ezzehouany.

In October, China abstained on a UN Security Council vote that endorses Morocco's 2007 Autonomy Project for the Western Sahara.  Morocco interpreted Beijing's vote as a diplomatic victory.  China has consistently refused to recognize either side's claim over the disputed territory.  This nuanced political change follows expanding economic ties between China and Morocco. 

Reviving Sudan-South Sudan Dialogue on Abyei

 The UN Political and Peace Building Affairs Department posted on 5 November 2025 the remarks by special envoy of the Secretary General for the Horn of Africa Guang Cong to the UN Security Council on Sudan and South Sudan.

The civil war in Sudan is exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the disputed region of Abyei along the Sudan-South Sudan border and has interrupted negotiations for a settlement.  There are recent indications that both Sudan and South Sudan are willing to revive the African Union-led political process regarding Abyei's future.  

UN Secretary General Says War in Sudan Spiraling Out of Control

 The Associated Press published on 4 November 2025 an article titled "UN Secretary General Says Sudan's War Is "Spiraling Out of Control'" by Jan Gambrell.

Just since the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, last week, an additional 71,000 Sudanese have been displaced and hundreds of civilians killed.  UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres decried the worsening situation and said external powers must stop sending arms into Sudan.  

Comment:  For more than two years, the United Nations has been unable to impose any kind of meaningful response in Sudan because the UN Security Council is unable to agree on a course of action.   

UN Security Council AWOL on Sudan Crisis

 The UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs posted on 30 October 2025 remarks to the UN Security Council titled "'No One Is Safe in El Fasher': ASG Pobee Urges Collective International Efforts to End War in Sudan" by UN Assistant Secretary General for Africa, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee

Pobee called on the UN Security Council to take decisive action on ending the conflict in Sudan, something it has failed to do for more than two years.  She emphasized that unnamed "external support is enabling the conflict.  Weapons and fighters continue to flow into Sudan contributing to the already desperate situation."  The UN Security Council needs to pressure the enablers to end their support.    

Eritrean Defense Forces Intervention in Ethiopia's Tigray Region

 The Sentry published in June 2025 a report titled "Power and Plunder: The Eritrean Defense Forces Intervention in Tigray."

The war in Ethiopia's Tigray Region resulted in a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions.  War crimes were perpetrated by all parties to the conflict, but the nature of atrocities and war profiteering carried out by the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) was unmatched in scale and premeditation.  The EDF engaged in massacres, widespread sexual violence, and systematic looting, including of Tigrayan factory machinery, medical supplies and equipment, and cultural antiquities.      

Situation in South Sudan Deteriorates

 The International Crisis Group posted on 18 August 2025 remarks titled "Briefing to UN Security Council on the Situation in South Sudan" by Murithi Mutiga.  

The 2018 peace accord, which ended a civil war in South Sudan, appears to be collapsing and the ongoing civil war in neighboring Sudan is extending instability by driving over 1.2 million people into South Sudan.  

International Criminal Court Charges War Crimes in Sudan

UN News posted on 10 July 2025 an article titled "International Criminal Court: War Crimes, Systematic Sexual Violence Ongoing in Darfur" by Vibhu Mishra.   

The International Criminal Court told the UN Security Council that it has reasonable grounds to believe that both war crimes and crimes against humanity continue to be committed in the Darfur region of Sudan where there is a deepening conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.  Sexual violence directed against women and girls is one of the most disturbing patterns.  

Eritrean President Emerges as Winner of Ethiopia's Civil War

 The Sentry published in June 2025 an extensive report titled "Power and Plunder: The Eritrean Defense Forces Intervention in Tigray."

This account documents Eritrean Defense Force support for the Ethiopian National Defense Force in their joint war to topple the Tigrayan Defense Force in Tigray Region from late 2020 until the signing of the Pretoria Agreement in 2022.  The study concludes that Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has emerged as the clear winner of the post-conflict status quo.  

Upcoming Vote on South Sudan Arms Embargo

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 6 May 2025 a commentary titled "UN Readies for Critical Vote on South Sudan's Arms Embargo" by Maya Ungar.  

The UN Security Council will vote in late May on whether to renew the arms embargo on South Sudan for 12 months.  Even as the internal security situation deteriorates, the South Sudan government opposes the embargo.  The ICG argues that removing the arms embargo now could stoke escalating violence in South Sudan. 

Keeping Climate Change as Part of South Sudanese Peacekeeping

 The International Crisis Group published on 28 April 2025 a paper titled "The Stakes of Stripping Climate from UN Peacekeeping in South Sudan" by Nazanine Moshiri.  

The UN Security Council will soon vote on the future of the peacekeeping mission in conflict-impacted South Sudan.  The paper discusses what is at stake and why climate and peace should remain part of the mission's work.  

Starvation as a Weapon of War: Lessons from Ethiopia's Tigray Conflict

 Stimson published on 24 February 2025 a study titled "Preventing Starvation Crimes: Lessons Learned from Tigray" by Shane Goetz.

The international community failed to prevent mass starvation during Ethiopia's civil war centered in Tigray Region in spite of a UN Security Council resolution designed to avoid this situation.  The study concludes that the resolution lacks the tools to generate preventative action and early response to conflict-induced hunger crises or to hold parties accountable for the use of starvation as a method of warfare.

Turkey-Africa Relations

 The Foreign Policy Research Institute published on 10 March 2025 an analysis titled "Turkey's Return to Africa" by Raphael Parens and Marcel Plichta.  

Turkey sees Africa as a core part of its global political and economic engagement and a source of support in international organizations.  Africa also provides critical raw materials and minerals for Turkish companies and markets for contractors, including Turkey's version of Russia's Wagner Group known as SADAT.  

Responding to Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Shipping

 The Atlantic Council published on 14 January 2025 a commentary titled "China Is Supporting the Houthis.  Here's How the Trump Administration Can Respond" by Tuvia Gering and Jason M. Brodsky.

Chinese-linked ships stand out as being able to transit the Red Sea unimpeded by Houthi attacks.  China is Iran's largest customer for exported oil and Iran is the most important supporter of the Houthis.  China has not used its leverage over Iran and the Houthis to end their Red Sea attacks on international shipping.  The article suggests why and offers recommendations for the Trump administration to counter the Houthis.  

Podcast: What to Expect from the New AU Mission in Somalia

 The International Crisis Group posted on 16 January 2025 a 40-minute podcast titled "What to Expect from the New AU Mission in Somalia" with Paul Williams, George Washington University, and Omar Mahmood.  

This is a discussion of the newly authorized five-year African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).  It is arguably the most complex international peace mission in the world today.  This is the third African Union peace mission in Somalia.  AUSSOM is smaller in size compared to previous missions, but its purpose has not changed significantly from earlier missions.  Williams discusses the challenges the Somali National Army faces working with AU peace forces.  

US Seeks Tougher Measures against Yemen's Houthi Rebels

 The Guardian published on 16 December 2024 an article titled "US Seeks Stronger UN Powers to Intercept Red Sea Shipments to Yemen's Houthis" by Patrick Wintour.  

The United States is seeking global support to give the UN clearer powers to interdict ships in the Red Sea heading for Houthi-controlled Yemen ports in an effort to weaken their ability to conduct attacks on international shipping.  The US is also considering redesignating the Houthis as a terrorist group.  

The Future of China-Africa Relations

 The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace published on 21 November 2024 an analysis titled "What FOCAC 2024 Reveals About the Future of China-Africa Relations" by Christian-Geraud Neema.

China called for modernization in Africa or the right to industrialize according to one's own background without being forced to follow Western norms.  China is promoting a variety of governance models and approaches to development and modernization that undercut the Western-led international order, norms, and values.  

China is positioning itself as Africa's development partner and international ally.  But there is no guarantee China's approach will be fairer or more advantageous for Africa.  So far, the United States has not responded with a clear counter strategy.