UN Report on Foreign Fighers and Weapons Supporting Sudan War

 The UN Human Rights Council published on 1 September 2026 a report of the independent international fact-finding mission for Sudan titled "Fuelling Sudan's Conflict: Weapons, Fighters, and External Support Networks."

This is the most detailed UN report so far detailing external support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).  It discusses Columbian mercenaries supporting the RSF, including the launching of drones, and the assistance of individuals and entities in the UAE.  It also identifies support received by the RSF from individuals or entities in Libya, Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Puntland in Somalia.  It identifies less external support for the SAF but notes the use of drones manufactured in Turkey.  

It concludes that external support is sustaining military operations and expanding the capabilities of both the RSF and SAF, with grave consequences for civilians.  Increasingly sophisticated drone capabilities enabled both sides to strike far beyond immediate front lines.  The report called for the Security Council to extend the arms embargo now imposed on Darfur throughout Sudan.   

US Imposes New Sanctions on Warring Parties in Sudan

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 2 July 2026 an article titled "US Sanctions RSF and SAF" by Michael DeAngelo.  

The United States has imposed additional sanctions on parties backing the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.  These sanctions are part of a long list of US sanctions dating back to 2023.

Comment:  Previous US sanctions on the warring parties in Sudan have had no impact on the fighting and these new sanctions will simply be more of the same.

Head of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Owns Property in UAE

 The Sentry published in February 2026 a report titled "Dubai Properties Linked to Hemedti."

Mohamed "Hemedti" Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is closely linked to a $1.7 million property portfolio in the United Arab Emirates.  

UAE Company Sends Mercenaries to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces

 The Sentry published in November 2025 an alert titled "Sudan Mercenaries Linked to Business Partner of Top UAE Bureaucrat."

Global Security Services Group is a UAE-registered company that supplies Columbian mercenaries to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.  The company has close ties with a senior UAE official.  

Where US Foreign Aid Is Being Eliminated

 The New York Times published on 21 February 2025 an article titled "'We Are Seeing Complete Destruction': The Damage Done by U.S.A.I.D. Freeze" by Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International.  

The author comments that the Trump administration appears to be engaged in an effort to "almost entirely eliminate foreign aid programs."  He then summarizes programs around the world that will disappear if this initiative is allowed to go forward by the courts and Congress.  

10 Conflicts to Watch in 2016: 4 in Africa

Foreign Policy published on 3 January 2016 an article titled "10 Conflicts to Watch in 2016" by Jean-Marie  Guehenno.  Four of the 10 conflicts are in Africa: Libya, Lake Chad Basin, South Sudan, and Burundi.