Podcast Inside Sudan's War

 The International Crisis Group posted on 1 October 2026 a 58-minute podcast titled "Inside Sudan's War" with Alan Boswell and Sudanese national Yousra Elbagir, Sky News Africa correspondent.

The podcast draws on Yousra Elbagir's visits to Port Sudan, ransacked family home in Khartoum, road trip from Khartoum to El Obeid following a sustained aerial attack on the city, and other locations in Sudan.  Some of her insights involved the personal impact of the war on her reporting.  

Russia has long been rumored to have obtained agreement from Sudanese authorities to establish a naval base in Port Sudan.  During an escorted visit to the Sudan Navy's base in Port Sudan, she saw no evidence of a Russian presence but understood that Russian military personnel had been at the facility in recent years.  She also learned that Saudi Arabia strongly opposes any foreign naval base in the Red Sea, whether by Russia, Turkey, Iran or any other country.  Saudi Arabia has considerable influence over the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) that controls Port Sudan.  

There have been recent rumors of SAF cooperation with the rebel Houthis in Yemen.  She neither saw nor heard any evidence of such cooperation, which would also be strongly opposed by Saudi Arabia and is effectively at war with the Houthis.

When asked about an end to the war between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), she commented that the RSF is eroding internally.  Consequently, it is possible the RSF may choose to negotiate with the SAF.  But the SAF has no plan to achieve a lasting peace.  Both sides increasingly realize that they cannot fight forever.  In the meantime, the Sudanese people see themselves as pawns at the mercy of the SAF and RSF. 

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.   

Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Has Military Success Along Ethiopian Border

 AEIs Critical Threats Africa File posted on 20 August 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Liam Karr.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured two district capitals in Blue Nile State on the Ethiopian border.  The SPLM-N supported the RSF in one of the operations.  The RSF likely launched its operations from Ethiopian territory.  The RSF's advance in Blue Nile State distracts the Sudan Armed Forces from consolidating recent gains in central Sudan.

Sudan: A Tour of the Devastation in Khartoum and Omdurman

 The Economist published on 6 August 2026 an article titled "The Ruin of Sudan."

Based on a visit to Khartoum and Omdurman, the article shows the devastation caused by more than three years of war between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.  The SAF is now in control of the capital region.  

UK Sanctions Illicit Gold Networks Fueling Sudan's War

 The UK government published on 16 July 2026 a press release titled "UK Sanctions Illicit Gold Networks Fueling Sudan's War Amid Crisis around El Obeid."

The UK government announced sanctions targeting the conflict gold trade in Sudan, procurement networks, and financial facilitators that are fueling the civil war in Sudan.  The sanctions focus primarily on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and UAE-based companies, but they include the Sudan Armed Forces and one Hong Kong-based company.  

Fall of City in Central Sudan Could Result in Partition of Country

 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.

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.  

Sudan Armed Forces Makes Some Gains Against Rapid Support Forces

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 9 July 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo and Angus Muldoon.  

The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) has recaptured from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces several towns in Sudan's Blue Nile State that borders Ethiopia.  This relieves some of the pressure on SAF forces elsewhere in the country.  The SAF has also had some military gains near Sudan's border with Chad.

Fears of Another Massacre in Sudan

 The BBC posted on 7 July 2026 an article titled "Fears of a Massacre in This City on the Frontline of Sudan's War" by Akisa Wandera.

El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan has been under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for 18 months.  Most recently, the RSF has stepped up the use of drones.

The United Nations believes another human rights catastrophe like the one in El Fasher is unfolding in El Obeid.  The Sudan Armed Forces continues to control the city, but its hold is weakening as it faces increasing RSF drone attacks.  

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.   

Update on Sudan Conflict

 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.

US Warns of Possible New Atrocities in Sudan

 The New York Times published on 23 June 2026 an article titled "U.S. Warns of 'Imminent' Atrocities in Sudanese City" by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Brian O. Otieno.  

The U.S. State Department warned early this week that there are alarming indications of imminent "mass atrocities" in the event the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces takes the city of El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan region, from the Sudan Armed Forces.

Sudan Armed Forces Headquarters in Center of Country Threatened

 AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 18 June 2026 an article titled "RSF Mobilizes Around SAF's Sudan Stronghold" by Michael DeAngelo.  

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces appear to be preparing for an offensive on El Obeid, the Sudan Armed Force's headquarters in central Sudan.  

Sudan: Rapid Support Forces Step Up Attacks in Kordofan

 The AEI's Critical Threats Africa File posted on 8 January 2026 an article titled "Sudan" by Michael DeAngelo.

The article documents military advances by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the SPLM-N in Kordofan region of Sudan.  Both the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) routinely use drones in the conflict.  The RSF appears focused on an effort to take the key city of El Obeid from the SAF.