The Conversation published on 16 July 2026 a discussion summary titled "Africa's Greater Horn Region Is Facing a Looming Polycrisis Fueled by Conflict, Prices, Climate and Disease" by Daniel Maxwell, Alex de Waal, Luka Kuol, Merry Fitzpatrick, and Peter Hailey.
The impacts of a strengthening El Nino and effects of the war in Iran combined with existing prolonged crisis and conflict in the Horn of Africa are leading potentially to a major, multicountry polycrisis.
World Politics Review published on 13 July 2026 an article titled "Sudan Could Be Headed for De Facto Partition" by Mohamed Wad Al-Sak.
If the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces take control of El Obeid in central Sudan from the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), it could result in a de facto partition of the country. El Obed is the SAF's last command center in central Sudan and the linchpin of its western supply corridor.
The Council on Foreign Relations Global Conflict Tracker posted on 12 June 2026 an updated background piece titled "Instability in South Sudan."
Ten million South Sudanese--nearly 84 percent of the population--need humanitarian assistance, as reports of airstrikes on civilian areas, sexual violence, and forced recruitment have escalated since March 2025.
Aljazeera published on 28 June 2026 an article titled "'Digging with a Needle': Generals Stall Peace as Sudan's El-Obeid Burns."
The leaders of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are demonstrating no serious interest in bringing the deadly Sudan conflict to an end. Mediation and a ceasefire seem to be the last thing on their minds as the drone war heats up.
UN News posted on 26 June 2026 an article titled "Sudan: Window Is Closing to Prevent Wider Escalation in El Obeid."
This is a useful update on the situation in Sudan that summarizes the fighting, use of drones, external interference, regional tensions, and status of efforts to mediate an end to the conflict.
The International Crisis Group posted on 1 June 2026 a five and one-half minute video titled "Divided Sudan, Elusive Peace."
The video provides a good, summary update of the current situation in the Sudan conflict.
The Christian Science Monitor published on 15 April 2026 an article titled "After 3 Years of War, Sudanese Civilians Pay the Price" by Sophie Neiman and Guy Peterson.
This account focuses on the Sudanese conflict in the Nuba Mountains where the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces is aligned with the SPLM-N against the Sudan Armed Forces.
The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies posted on 17 April 2026 an eight-minute video analysis titled "The Sudanese Civil War, Three Years On" by Michael Jones.
After three years of conflict the Sudan civil war has reached a political and military dynamic stalemate. Diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire have achieved little progress. The war is sustained by foreign powers, especially the Arab Gulf states. The conflict threatens to become a regional war.
The New York Times published on 15 April 2026 an article titled "Sudan Enters Fourth Year of War Amid World's Most Severe Humanitarian Crisis" by Ephrat Livni ad Declan Walsh.
The article describes the humanitarian crisis as Sudan enters its fourth year of civil war. The international community recently pledged $1.3 billion in funding for Sudan, but only peace can bring this humanitarian disaster to a close.
The New York Times published on 15 April 2026 a guest essay titled "I have Watched the Catastrophe of My Country Be Reduced to Nothing" by Mohammed Ahmed.
The author takes issue with those who call what is happening in Sudan a "civil war." He argues it is "a resource war fought by proxy, playing out against the world's indifference." About the only thing sustaining Sudan today is communal mobilization or self-help by ordinary Sudanese.
The New York Times published on 14 April 2026 a commentary titled "Is It Too Much to Ask to Care About Sudan?" by Ann Curry.
The author, a former international correspondent for NBC News, asks if it is too much for us to care about the world's largest humanitarian disaster. She concludes that when we care--as individuals, as a nation--we can make things happen.
UN News published on 10 April 2026 an update titled "Sudan: 14 Million Displaced; Hunger and Attacks on Health Continue as War Enters Fourth Year."
Some 14 million people, or a quarter of the population, have been forced to flee, with 9 million remaining displaced inside Sudan and 4.4 million as refugees mostly in Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. In addition, 21 million Sudanese now face acute food insecurity, including 6.3 million in the direst state of food emergency. Over 40 percent of Sudan's population require urgent health assistance and disease outbreaks are widespread.
Most of the UN agencies have their main logistics hub in the United Arab Emirates. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is impacting their ability to respond as humanitarian supply routes have been cut and shipping aid has become slower and more costly.
Deutsche Welle published on 15 March 2026 an article titled "Civil War in Sudan Is a Never-ending Humanitarian Crisis" by Jennifer Holleis,
This update on the civil war in Sudan is a continuing humanitarian crisis increasingly fueled by drone warfare and disappearing from international attention.
The Rift Vally Institute published in October 2025 a study titled "Political Economy of Cash and Markets in Sudan" by Omer Egemi and Calum McLean.
Sudan is the world's largest displacement and humanitarian crisis. The study covers Khartoum, the political and economic hub of the country, and the two regions of Kordofan and Darfur in western Sudan during the period from February to April 2025.
Sudan's economy is largely controlled by warring parties, especially the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The study analyses the political economy dynamics shaping Sudan's crisis with particular focus on aspects affecting cash and markets.
The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in 2025 a study titled "From Risk to Response: Addressing the Climate-Conflict-Displacement Nexus."
Somalia consistently ranks among the world's most climate-vulnerable countries. Climate change is the primary driver of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the country. One in every 25 displaced individuals globally resides in Somalia. Climate-vulnerable states are also more likely to experience civil unrest and political instability.
The African Union Peace and Security Council adopted on 12 February 2026 a Communique on the Situation in Sudan.
The Communique called on member states to respect the territorial integrity and unity of Sudan and the total rejection of a parallel government led by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. It welcomed the return to Khartoum of the Transitional Government of Sudan. It condemned unnamed external actors for fueling the conflict in Sudan.
World Politics Review published on 16 February 2026 an article titled "In Ethiopia, a Slow-Burning Insurgency Takes a Dire Humanitarian Toll" by Jane Cybulski, a pseudonym for a journalist who specializes in the Horn of Africa.
The article discusses the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in Amhara Region between the Fano militia and the Ethiopian National Defense Force.
PBS News published on 5 February 2026 an article titled "Head of Humanitarian Group Urge's Nations to Step Up Sudan Aid to Prevent 'Biblical Famine'" in interview by Nick Schifrin with Jan Egeland, secretary-general, Norwegian Refugee Council.
Due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, the country has become the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today. Too few organizations are on the ground, and they are overstretched and underfunded. The donor community, including the United States, is not providing enough food to prevent a biblical famine. Frontline Sudanese volunteers are largely keeping people alive.
The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and SIPRI published in December 2025 a report titled "Abyei: Climate, Peace and Security Fact Sheet."
Abyei's contested status, its weak governance, and elite-driven politics continue to fuel insecurity. Increasing climate variability undermines food security and livelihood activities, particularly livestock and seasonal pastoralism. Intensifying seasonal hazards, such as floods, drive displacement and worsen the humanitarian crisis in Abyei.
Aljajeera published on 30 November 2025 an article titled "War in Sudan: Humanitarian, Fighting, Control Developments, November 2025" by Maziar Motamedi.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) consolidate control in Darfur in western Sudan while the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) does the same in the Khartoum area. Kordofan region continues to be contested. The RSF says it has accepted a ceasefire requested by the Quad (US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE) but continues to engage SAF forces. The SAF has rejected the terms of the Quad's ceasefire. The humanitarian situation is worsening in Darfur but may be improving slightly in the Khartoum area.
