UN Report on Hallmarks of Genocide in Sudan

 The UN Human Rights Council published on 8 July 2026 a 26-page report titled "Information Supplementing the Report 'Sudan: Hallmarks of Genocide in El Fasher'."

This report provides detailed references not included in the initial 19 February 2026 report and additional information that the UN Human Rights Council gathered following continued investigations since the publication of the original report.  

It also helps develop the legal basis for the conclusions that were drawn in the original report, that the mass killings and related atrocities committed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in and around El Fasher were indicators of a genocidal path.

Additional Sanctions on Sudanese Companies and Individuals

 Foreign Policy posted on 15 July 2026 an article titled "Sudan Faces New Sanctions as Evidence of Atrocities Mounts" by Nosmot Gbadamosi.

The EU and the US have expanded sanctions on individuals and companies that have aided the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and/or the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).  In the meantime, global efforts to end the war have largely stalled.

Comment:  Numerous sanctions in recent years on the RSF and the SAF have had no impact on bringing this civil war to an end.  

New York Times Editorial on Sudan

 The New York Times published on 13 July 2026 an editorial titled "The World Must Wake Up to the Horror in Sudan."

Repeating the concerns of so many others, the editorial argues that the world needs to do more to halt the killing and mass displacement in Sudan.  

Amnesty International's Massive Report on Atrocities in Sudan's North Darfur

 Amnesty International published on 1 July 2026 a report titled "City Under Seige, Children Under Fire: Rapid Support Forces' Crimes Against Humanity in North Darfur."

This is a 202-page report on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) atrocities in North Darfur based on 247 interviews, including 208 with survivors of the RSF seizure of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur.

Generals Fight to Finish in Sudan

 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.   

Drone Attacks in Sudan Heighten Tension with Ethiopia

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 7 May 2026 an article titled "Ethiopia-Sudan Tensions Rise over RSF Khartoum Strikes" by Michael DeAngelo.

In early May, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a series of drone attacks across Sudan, including on the international airport of Khartoum.  The Sudan Armed Forces accused the UAE and Ethiopia of facilitating the drone strikes, including their launching from Bahir Dar airport and a RSF military base inside Ethiopia along the Sudan border.  

Sudan's Civil War in the Nuba Mountains

 Prospect published on 1 April 2026 an article titled "Sudan's War in the Mountains" by Sophie Neiman.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is using the Nuba Mountains as a thoroughfare to take territory controlled by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) in the eastern part of Sudan.  The Nuba Mountains have become a new frontline in the civil war.  The RSF is aligned with the SPLM-N against the SAF.

Partition Is Not the Answer to the Sudan Conflict

 Foreign Affairs published on 8 April 2026 an article titled "Don't Partition Sudan Again: Splitting It Didn't Work in the Past and Won't Work Now" by Francis M. Deng and Ahmed Kodouda.

Both the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) insist they are fighting to preserve a unified Sudan, but the longer the current geographical division persists, the harder it will be to put the country together again.  

The 2011 independence of South Sudan offers a cautionary tale.  Any effort to formalize the split between the SAF and RSF-controlled parts of Sudan would not resolve the conflict's root causes.  Another partition of Sudan would also destabilize its neighbors.    

Podcast on Prospects for a Cease Fire in Sudan

 The International Crisis Group posted on 7 April 2026 a 42-minute podcast titled "After Three Years of War in Sudan, What Hope for a Ceasefire" hosted by Richard Atwood with Shewit Woldemichael and Alan Boswell.  

The Iran war has not yet had a significant impact on the situation in Sudan beyond driving up prices of everything and causing fuel shortages.  If the Iran war continues, it could have a huge negative impact on the food situation in Sudan.  

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) control most of Darfur and West Kordofan while the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) control most of the northeastern and eastern parts of the country.  Sudan is effectively partitioned between the RSF and the SAF.  The major battle fronts today are along the Chad border, South Sudan border, and Ethiopian border. 

The RSF political program has been a failure.  Noone has recognized the RSF government.  The SAF has improved its position and is the dominant actor in the country today.  While SAF fortunes have improved most Sudanese probably do not want the military to remain in power indefinitely.  

The RSF continues to receive strong support from the UAE while the SAF has a degree of support from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Eritrea.  The most worrying new dynamic is the deterioration of relations between the SAF and Ethiopia.  Differences over Nile water usage and Egyptian and Eritrean support for the SAF contribute to Ethiopia's concerns.  

Massad Boulos, President Trump's special envoy for Africa, continues to seek a ceasefire as part of the Quad (US, Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia).  The effort is currently lacking high level pressure.  RSF and SAF positions on a ceasefire remain far apart.  Both sides believe they hold a strong military position.  Only major outside pressure on them will likely change the situation.

There is considerable concern among the outside actors about the role of Islamist forces in the SAF, which complicates a resolution.  In the meantime, the Sudan conflict continues to destabilize the Red Sea region.  

Limitations of Western Efforts to End War in Sudan

 Foreign Policy published on 6 April 2024 an analysis titled "Horrors in Sudan Highlight Deterioration of Western Diplomatic Corps."

There is little willingness by the West to end Sudan's conflict, but there is also little ability to do anything.  Western states have minimal leverage with the two major combatants: The Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.  

Growing Tension between Ethiopia and Sudan

 The International Crisis Group posted on 4 March 2026 a commentary titled "As Tensions Mount, Sudan Accuses Ethiopia of New Hostilities" by Alan Boswell.  

Sudan has charged that Ethiopia is permitting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to launch drones that strike locations inside Sudan and warned Addis Ababa of unspecified consequences.  Tension in the Horn of Africa was already high; this just raises the temperature.  

Sudan: Quad Peace Plan Flounders

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 19 February 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Elliot Nazar.  

The Quad (United States, UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia) peace proposal is stalled due in large part to the fact that the UAE supports the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Egypt and Saudi Arabia support the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).  Neither the RSF nor the SAF has fully committed to the Quad ceasefire proposal.  Ethiopia's support for a new RSF military campaign in Sudan's neighboring Blue Nile state is further complicating any peace settlement.  

Is the War in Sudan Nearing an End?

 Foreign Affairs published on 11 February 2026 an article titled "How the War in Sudan Could End" by Volker Perthes, German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

The author argues that both the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces may have reached the point where they believe it will be difficult to make more territorial gains at an acceptable cost.  Consequently, coordinated international pressure on both belligerents could result in a ceasefire, a first step towards peace.  

Trump Says US Is Ready to Restart Mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia

 NBC News posted on 17 January 2026 an article titled "Egypt Welcomes Trump's Offer to Mediate Nile Water Dispute with Ethiopia" by Freddie Clayton.

In a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President Trump said he is "ready to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the question of "The Nile Water Sharing' once and for all."

Comment:  When the Trump administration tried during its first term to mediate among Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan the Nile water issue, it did not end well.  The Egypt-Ethiopia "war" is also one of the eight that President Trump has said he has already resolved.   

Sudan Armed Forces Government Returns to Khartoum

 The BBC posted on 11 January 2026 an article titled "Sudan's Government Returns to Capital after Nearly 3 Years of War" by Wedaeli Chibelushi.  

The Sudan Armed Forces government officially returned to Khartoum following nearly 3 years of war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and having relocated operations to Port Sudan.  Basic services are barely functioning after years of fighting in the city.  The conflict with the RSF continues in other parts of Sudan.

War in Sudan Becomes Increasingly Regional

 Foreign Affairs published on 8 January 2026 an article titled "The War that Outgrew Sudan: Middle East Countries Are Turning a Local War into a Regional Crisis" by Alex de Waal.  

Last summer, it looked like the Trump administration might make a serious effort to end the conflict in Sudan.  That effort has stalled and the civil war in Sudan is becoming a wider regional conflict that increasingly includes Middle Eastern countries.  

Sudan Conflict Only Worsens in December

 Aljazeera published on 31 December 2025 an article titled "War in Sudan: Humanitarian Collapse, Fighting, Deadlock, December 2025" by Mohammad Mansour.

The humanitarian situation in Sudan deteriorated to a new low following a collapse of international funding, although the European Union launched an air bridge to deliver supplies to Darfur.  Kordofan province became the new epicenter for fighting as both the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces relied increasingly on the use of drones.  All attempts to end the conflict through negotiation appeared to be stalled.  

Horn Developments Concerning Saudi Arabia, UAE, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 18 December 2025 an article titled "Gulf States" by Michael DeAngelo and Liam Karr.

Saudi Arabia recently hosted a series of meetings aimed at getting the Sudan peace process back on track and reducing tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea.  The article also discusses the movement of weapons into the region and alleged Ethiopian support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.  

Update on Sudan's Civil War

 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.

Sudan Armed Forces Rejects Quad Ceasefire Proposal

 The Associated Press published on 24 November 2025 an article titled "Top General Rejects US-led Ceasefire Proposal, Calling It 'the Worst Yet'" by Samy Magdy.

Sudan's top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, called the ceasefire proposed by the US-led Quad (US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and UAE) unacceptable and "the worst yet" because it eliminates the Sudanese Armed Forces, dissolves security agencies, and allows the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to stay where they are.  The RSF says it has agreed to the truce proposal.