UN News published on 9 June 2026 an article titled "Sudan War: Drone Attacks Damage Key Aid Routes."
Escalating drone attacks on key roads and bridges in Darfur and Kordofan are disrupting humanitarian access in Sudan and putting civilians at further risk.
The Africa Report published on 20 November 2024 an article titled "US Congress Denounces RSF 'Genocide' in Sudan" by Julian Pecquet.
Bipartisan members of the US Congress are urging the administration to take more forceful action on the conflict in Sudan. Members in both the House and the Senate are calling for pressure on the UAE to end its support for the Rapid Support Forces while the Senate bill also cites concerns about the role of China, Egypt, Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
Comment: A political transition in the United States is an especially difficult time to pursue a foreign policy initiative. Both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration are focused on the political transition that formally ends on 20 January 2025. Both administrations have good relations with the UAE, which is the primary external offender in Sudan's catastrophic war. It will be difficult for either administration to take meaningful action.
Reuters published on 18 November 2024 an article titled "Russia Vetoes UN Security Council Action on Sudan War" by Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom.
Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called on warring parties to cease hostilities immediately and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. All other countries of the 15-member UNSC voted in favor of the resolution drafted by the UK and Sierra Leone.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies published on 11 September 2024 a question and answer titled "Conflict, Hunger, and Famine in Sudan" with Zane Swanson, Anita Kirschenbaum, and Caitlin Welsh.
This piece discusses the challenges of making a formal declaration of famine in Sudan, which must come from an independent state or international body, like the United Nations.
The White House published on 17 September 2024 a "Statement from President Joe Biden on Sudan."
President Biden called on the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to pull back their forces, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, and re-engage in negotiations to end the war.
He noted the United States previously determined that members of the SAF and the RSF have committed war crimes, and that members of the RSF have committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.
The New Arab published on 21 August 2024 an article titled "What the Stalled Geneva Peace Talks Mean for Sudan's War" by Mohamed Mostafa.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has reportedly sent a delegation to the US-Saudi peace talks in Geneva while the Sudan Armed Forces is insisting on reviving the failed Jeddah talks in Cario. The result so far is stasis, although US special envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, remains hopeful that progress can be reached in Geneva on humanitarian access to starving Sudanese.
African Arguments published on 21 August 2024 an analysis titled "US Calls for Ceasefire: Sudan's Peace Process at a Crossroads" by Elhadi Abdalla.
This is a more detailed background piece on the status of efforts to arrange a ceasefire and humanitarian access in Sudan.
The New York Times published on 26 July 2024 an article titled "As Starvation Spreads in Sudan, Military Blocks Aid Trucks at Border" by Declan Walsh and Ivor Prickett.
In an effort to prevent arms from reaching its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from across the Chad border, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) has instructed the United Nations not to send humanitarian relief trucks through check points controlled by the RSF. They must make a 200-mile detour to a border crossing controlled by a local militia allied with the SAF, significantly complicating the distribution of humanitarian aid.
Tigrai Press interviewed me for 35 minutes on 22 August 2023 on a range of issues dealing with the Horn of Africa. They included the situation in Amhara Region and Tigray Region, a possible Ethiopian port in Eritrea, the attack on Ethiopian migrants on the Yemen/Saudi border, the conflict in Sudan, Eritrea's relations with China and Russia, and the election process in the United States.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 12 May 2023 a 43-minute podcast titled "Fighting in Khartoum, Talking in Jeddah" with Richard Atwood, senior ICG Sudan analyst Shewit Woldemichael, and ICG Horn of Africa project director Alan Boswell.
They discuss how the fighting is evolving, clashes in Khartoum and Darfur, external involvement, the humanitarian crisis, and prospects for the US and Saudi-led talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The US Department of Homeland Security issued a press release on 12 January 2023 titled "Secretary Mayorkas Extends and Redesignates Somalia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months."
The order extends "Temporary Protected Status" (TPS) for Somalia for an additional 18 months. It also allows Somali nationals residing in the United States as of January 11, 2023 to apply for TPS, so long as they meet all eligibility requirements. The extension and redesignation of Somalia for TPS are due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent Somali nationals from safely returning to Somalia.
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum published on 20 December 2022 a commentary titled "Risks of Mass Atrocities in Ethiopia Remain High Despite Peace Deal" by Ryan D'Souza.
The author warns that the recent peace deal between the Ethiopian central government and the Tigray People's Liberation Movement will not necessarily end the numerous atrocities that have taken place in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Insight published on 25 November 2022 a commentary titled "Many Hurdles to Peace in Tigray Remain after Pretoria and Nairobi Deals" by Patrick Wight, senior editor at Ethiopia Insight.
Tigrayan disarmament, withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Tigray Region, the ambiguity of the status of Western Tigray, and accountability for atrocities by both sides are among the most significant obstacles to real peace in Ethiopia.
The US State Department held on 15 November 2022 a briefing on the peace process in Ethiopia.
Among the points made in this wide ranging briefing is that there was a clear understanding Eritrean Defense Forces and non-ENDF forces are to withdraw from Tigray Region. There was a commitment to human rights accountability. Unhindered and sustained humanitarian access must continue in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar Regions. The US will do everything possible to support both sides of the conflict to implement the African Union-led peace process.
Agence France Presse published on 15 November 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia PM Vows to Execute 'Promise' of Peace Deal."
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said he expects to execute the peace agreement signed on 2 November in South Africa. He acknowledged that the future of contested Western Tigray was not part of the negotiation.
Foreign Policy published on 14 November 2022 a brief item titled "Ethiopia's Perilous Path to Peace" by Christina Lu.
Tigrayan forces agreed to disarm within 30 days of signing the 2 November agreement, but this is predicated on foreign [read Eritrean] forces leaving Tigray Region. There are concerns that Eritrea is not in the process of leaving.
The US Department of State issued a statement on 12 November 2022 titled "Resumption of Humanitarian Assistance to Northern Ethiopia."
The statement welcomes the humanitarian access permissions that have already been restored in Ethiopia as well as the firm commitments for humanitarian assistance to flow to Tigray Region and the affected areas of Afar and Amhara Regions. The US is the largest provider of humanitarian aid to Ethiopia, and will continue to deliver assistance to those most in need.
Reuters published on 12 November 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia Combatants Sign Deal to Start Implementing Truce" by Ayenat Mersie.
Meeting in Kenya, military leaders from Ethiopia's central government and Tigray Region agreed upon terms to implement the peace agreement signed in South Africa on 2 November. Significantly, they agreed that "disarmament of heavy weapons will be done with the withdrawal of foreign [read Eritrean] and non-ENDF (federal military) forces [read Amhara militia] from the region."
Comment: The continued presence of Eritrean Defense Forces in Tigray Region and Amhara militia in Western Tigray is a particularly sensitive issue and not specifically mentioned in the agreement laying out the roadmap for implementation of the peace deal. The reference to "foreign" almost certainly refers to Eritrean forces while non-Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) probably refers to Amhara militia.
Tigrai Press interviewed me on 11 November 2022 on the Ethiopian peace agreement. The 52-minute conversation moderated by Bisrat Kebede and titled "The Negotiations and America's Role" covered all aspects of the peace agreement.
The East African published on 12 November 2022 an article titled "Why Ethiopia's Peace Deal Banks on Eritrea's Next Military Move" by Aggrey Mutambo.
Since the signing of a peace agreement on 2 November between the Ethiopian government and Tigray authorities, Eritrean officials have been silent. The TPLF alleges, however, that Eritrean forces in Tigray are still fighting, killing and kidnapping. Disarmament of the Tigrayan forces will almost certainly not happen so long as Eritrean Defense Forces continue their attacks inside Tigray.
Reuters published on 11 November 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia Says Tigray Aid Allowed, Agencies Say Still No Access" by Tommy Wilkes and Ayenat Mersei.
Three officials at international aid agencies said that despite the truce, their convoys were still waiting for permission from Ethiopian authorities to enter Tigray Region. Vulnerable Ethiopians in Amhara and Afar Regions also need emergency aid.
