AGP Executive Report

North Kordofan Frontline Update: Sudan’s army says it has seized more than a dozen enclaves in central North Kordofan after fierce fighting with the RSF, including areas around El Obeid, while operations continue to “restore sovereignty” and clear militia presence. Currency Shock: The Sudanese pound’s sharp depreciation is forcing widespread shop closures in Khartoum and Port Sudan as traders struggle with fast-rising prices for staples like sugar and flour. Blue Nile Humanitarian Strain: In Damazin, displaced families at Al-Karama 3 report worsening conditions after heavy rains—mud, shortages of food, shelter and healthcare, and rising disease risk. Regional Diplomacy: IGAD renewed its call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and urged a coordinated, Sudan-led political process with safe humanitarian access. UNGA Spotlight: With the UN General Assembly high-level week starting in New York, Sudan’s war is expected to feature alongside Middle East and Ukraine crises, with AI also set to dominate talks.

North Kordofan Frontline Update: The Sudanese army says it seized 11 areas in North Kordofan after clashes with the RSF, naming Kajmar, Sharshar, Al-Baniya Al-Kurayniya and others, and says it is clearing pockets west of El Obeid while pursuing retreating fighters toward Darfur. Regional Ceasefire Pressure: IGAD renewed its call for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, urging protection of civilians and “safe, rapid and unimpeded” humanitarian access, and warning hunger and displacement remain at crisis levels. Khartoum Church Politics: The Sudan Council of Churches is organizing a Khartoum prayer gathering for peace and security, but some leaders disagree on the event amid ongoing war fallout. Humanitarian Attention Gap: A commentary warns Sudan’s crisis is becoming “the new normal” as global attention shifts, risking donor fatigue and worsening invisibility for affected communities. War Economy Signals: Reports say the Sudanese pound has continued to plunge despite government measures, with shops closing amid soaring prices. Security & Justice (Court Case): Separate from Sudan’s war, DSS in Nigeria re-arraigned five men over the Oriire school abduction, with witnesses describing 56 days of captivity—highlighting how courts handle terrorism-linked kidnappings.

Kordofan Frontlines: Sudan’s army says it has taken new ground in North and South Kordofan, seizing Al-Farshaya and Al-Mamsouka in South Kordofan and Sharshar northwest of Bara in North Kordofan, aiming to tighten pressure on RSF routes linking the region toward West Kordofan and Darfur. Humanitarian Pressure: UN chief António Guterres called the situation in Sudan “absolutely horrible,” urging accountability for countries supplying weapons used against civilians, as US adviser Massad Boulos reiterated support for a civilian transition away from the two warring generals. Security Messaging from Neighbours: Egypt and Saudi Arabia warned mediators not to treat the Sudanese Armed Forces and rival militias as equals, backing the primacy of state military institutions and warning that fragmentation threatens regional security. Health System Strain: A new look at Sudan’s health sector shows partial recovery in Khartoum hospitals reopening, while many facilities elsewhere remain non-functional amid shortages and access barriers. Mining Disaster: At least 67–82 people are reported dead after the Al-Zara informal gold mine collapse in Nuhud, West Kordofan, with many missing and rescue hampered by lack of heavy equipment. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt’s foreign minister held talks with Algeria’s counterpart covering Sudan and Libya, while IGAD ministers endorsed a regional agrifood investment plan and seed policy framework to boost cross-border agricultural cooperation.

Gold Mining Disaster: Sudan’s West Kordofan has been hit by another deadly tragedy as an informal gold mine collapse near Nuhud (al-Zara/al-Zara area) killed at least 82 people, with dozens still missing; rescuers say the search is slowed by a lack of heavy equipment and basic safety measures, and the area is controlled by the RSF. Humanitarian Alarm: The UN warns Sudan’s aid pipeline could run out within weeks, threatening shelter, sanitation and household supplies for millions as funding gaps deepen. UN Accountability Push: UN chief António Guterres called Sudan “absolutely horrible,” urging countries supplying weapons used against civilians to be held accountable, ahead of the UN General Assembly. Diplomatic Pressure for Transition: A US adviser says there is “no future” for Sudan’s two warring generals and backs a rapid civilian transition, while the UN and regional actors push de-escalation and political talks. Regional Politics Spillover: Egypt and Sudan discussed joint agricultural projects on Sudanese land to boost food security and strategic crop supply, signaling continued state-to-state cooperation despite the war.

Sudan Humanitarian Crisis: The UN General Assembly’s 81st session opens amid rising doubts about whether diplomacy can still stop interconnected wars, with Sudan highlighted as one of the gravest humanitarian catastrophes. West Kordofan Disaster: A gold mine collapse in al-Zara near Nuhud killed at least 67 people (reports vary from 60 to 82 bodies recovered) as survivors say many remain trapped; lack of safety procedures and rescue equipment is blamed, with the area under RSF control. Humanitarian Access & Services: IOM handed over new health and education facilities in Leer County, Unity State, including hospital wards and an isolation unit, aiming to restore basic services for war-affected communities. Aid Under Pressure: Liberia condemned attacks on WFP trucks in Sudan and urged an immediate halt to hostilities, warning that external support and parallel governance efforts are prolonging the conflict. Governance & Economy: A “Bank of the Future” branch opened in El Geneina, West Darfur, with officials tied to the RSF-linked parallel administration saying it will expand banking access after years of decline. Regional Diplomacy: US adviser Massad Boulos said Washington is coordinating daily security with Saudi Arabia and the UAE while also discussing Sudan’s humanitarian crisis and US aid.

Sudan Political Transition: A senior Trump adviser, Massad Boulos, said there is “no future” for Sudan’s two warring generals—Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Dagalo (Hemedti)—backing a rapid civilian transition “away from” them, while stressing the humanitarian crisis remains a US priority. Humanitarian Crisis: Reuters reports WFP funding for Sudan has fallen sharply (from $645m last year to $206m so far this year), as IOM warns emergency supplies for displaced people could run out by end of September and the wider humanitarian system could collapse within weeks without action. Regional Diplomacy: Qatar’s foreign ministry state minister met Sudan’s FM Moheiddin Salem in Doha, reiterating Qatar’s support for Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and stability and backing peace and development goals. War and Accountability: Coverage also points to renewed international pressure around Sudan’s war, including UN sanctions/arms-embargo debates and ongoing allegations tied to the conflict.

Sudan Peace Talks Under Pressure: Sudan’s Sovereign Council chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met Britain’s envoy Richard Crowder to discuss ending the civil war and a “Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned dialogue,” while a UN rights inquiry highlights abuses and foreign interference, including claims of UAE-linked recruitment of foreign fighters for the RSF. Humanitarian Alarm: UN agencies warn Sudan’s aid system could collapse within weeks without urgent funding, with shelter and emergency supplies at risk by end-September as displacement and hunger deepen; WFP says funding has plunged sharply. Sanctions Debate: The UN Security Council extended the Darfur arms embargo for one month, but the bigger fight is whether sanctions should expand to cover the wider Sudan war—Washington pushes for a Sudan-wide arms ban while others resist. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt and Saudi Arabia are tightening coordination as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, with Sudan expected on the agenda amid wider Red Sea and Gaza tensions. Energy and Power Links: Sudan’s energy ministry says Egypt–Sudan interconnection will deliver an initial 75MW within months, alongside new solar projects to help stabilize electricity for agriculture and livelihoods.

Humanitarian Crisis: UN agencies warn Sudan’s aid pipeline could collapse within weeks as funding falls; IOM says shelter and emergency supplies may run out by month-end, while WFP says it needs nearly $300m to sustain operations for nearly 20m people facing hunger. Regional Diplomacy: The EU warns Sudan’s war is becoming increasingly regional, urging Sudanese-led political talks and better coordination with the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE. Protection & Justice: Rights groups and SIHA condemn harsh sentences for women during the war, including death sentences, saying coercion and lack of reliable information under RSF control drive unfair convictions. Conflict Impact: Reports highlight escalating displacement in Blue Nile and continued insecurity, with drones and attacks affecting civilians and aid access. Political Process: UN and regional efforts continue around de-escalation and settlement, including calls for respecting Sudan’s sovereignty and delivering humanitarian access.

Sudan Public Health: Sudan’s health system is buckling under conflict-driven shortages as cholera, dengue, malaria and other outbreaks spread, with UN-linked figures citing thousands of cholera deaths since 2024 and rising cases in Blue Nile. Humanitarian Access: Médecins Sans Frontières warns aid funding cuts are collapsing primary care and forcing mass closures of medical centres, leaving millions without basic services. Blue Nile Fighting: Explosions were reported after a drone attack on Damazin, with local groups calling for civilian protection and humanitarian corridors as the army and RSF/SPLM-N blame game continues. Displacement Update: The UN’s IOM says nearly 100,000 people have been displaced in Blue Nile since January amid escalating army–RSF clashes, with many sheltering in schools and informal sites. Security Incident (Equatoria): In Mundri West, an ambush killed at least three after a police vehicle was attacked and burned, as authorities hunt for the perpetrators. Diplomacy for De-escalation: Egypt’s foreign minister met UN envoy Pekka Haavisto, stressing Sudan’s sovereignty, de-escalation, humanitarian access and a comprehensive political settlement. Regional Politics: The Arab League chief and UN envoy also discussed de-escalation and a Sudanese-led political process through the Quintet mechanism.

Sudan Peace Track: Arab League chief Nabil Fahmy met UN envoy Pekka Haavisto in Cairo to push de-escalation, end hostilities, protect civilians, and restart a Sudanese-led political process, stressing unity, sovereignty, and no “parallel entities.” Humanitarian Fallout: The UN’s IOM says nearly 100,000 people have been displaced in Blue Nile since January as army–RSF fighting intensifies, with many children among the displaced and sheltering in schools and public buildings. Military Developments: Sudan’s army says it has regained full control of Mount Kadam in Blue Nile after RSF took the strategic border area with Ethiopia, warning against rumors as operations continue. Regional Security Questions: Reports also raise concerns about Somali soldiers detained in Ethiopia and whether Saudi-funded training in Somalia could feed into the Sudan war. Global Governance Context: At BRICS in New Delhi, UN chief Guterres warned that unequal AI access could widen global divides, while leaders renewed calls for UN and global institution reform—issues Sudan’s political track is increasingly tied to.

Sudan Peace Track: Arab League chief Nabil Fahmy met UN envoy Pekka Haavisto to push de-escalation, protect civilians, and restart a Sudanese-led political process, following a Khartoum visit by a UN–AU–IGAD–EU–Arab League mechanism. State Collapse Warning: Sudanese politicians warn the SAF–RSF war is pushing the country toward total state collapse as fighting continues and the SAF rejects ceasefire efforts. Chemical Weapons Fallout: A major report alleges Sudan’s military built a secret chemical weapons stockpile and tried to conceal chlorine-based attacks, renewing calls for international scrutiny. Arms Embargo Pressure: The UN Security Council extended Sudan’s Darfur arms embargo for a month while debates intensify over a wider, Sudan-wide ban. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt’s foreign minister held talks with France on de-escalation efforts, including conditions in Sudan, as regional powers seek to contain spillover. Humanitarian Access: Doctors Without Borders condemned claims targeting its staff, amid broader concerns that aid cuts are worsening Sudan’s healthcare and humanitarian crisis.

UN Sanctions: The UN Security Council extended Sudan’s Darfur arms embargo for one month, while negotiations continue on a US push to expand restrictions nationwide; Russia and Sudan’s ambassador opposed widening the ban, arguing it would go beyond Darfur and affect self-defence. UAE Diplomacy: The UAE urged the Council to expand the arms embargo across all of Sudan and to all warring parties and their supply networks, saying it would curb weapons flows, protect civilians, and support a political settlement. Human Rights Pressure: Rights groups used the UN Human Rights Council to demand an independent investigation into chemical weapons allegations in Sudan and urgent protection for civilians in besieged areas, arguing the war is under-reported and lacks accountability. Khartoum Politics & Media: Sudanese journalists’ syndicate called for the immediate release of detained editor-in-chief Attaf Mohamed Mokhtar in Egypt, linking his arrest to criticism of alleged UAE support for the RSF. War on the Ground: A drone strike on the Umm Ruwaba courthouse in North Kordofan killed 13 civilians and wounded 22, with witnesses and local groups attributing it to the RSF and calling for an independent probe. Regional Return Effort: Sudan launched its first voluntary return flight from Morocco, with the embassy saying Moroccan support helped bring the first group back to Port Sudan for reconstruction. BRICS Signal: At the New Delhi BRICS summit, leaders adopted a declaration calling for “maximum restraint” in the Middle East and addressing crises including Sudan, while also pushing UN and global governance reforms.

UN Sanctions: The UN Security Council unanimously extended Sudan’s Darfur arms embargo for one month, while talks continue on a US push for a nationwide embargo and tougher listings over abuses like sexual violence, kidnappings, and attacks on humanitarian workers. Khartoum vs Washington: Russia and Sudan’s UN ambassador opposed expanding the ban, arguing it violates the UN Charter’s self-defence principle and that the government has battlefield advantage. Darfur Focus: The Darfur-only embargo remains in place as the council weighs changes amid the army–RSF war that began in April 2023. Human Rights Pressure: The debate comes as rights groups and UN-linked reporting keep spotlighting alleged war crimes and the need for accountability. Media Detention: Separately, Sudanese journalist Attaf Mohamed Mokhtar was detained in Cairo; his syndicate demanded Egypt clarify his legal status and release him. Drones and Civilian Harm: A drone strike on the Umm Ruwaba courthouse in North Kordofan reportedly killed 13 civilians, raising calls for an independent investigation.

UN Sanctions: The UN Security Council unanimously extended Sudan’s Darfur arms embargo for one month while talks continue over a US push for a nationwide ban, with Russia warning it will block any broadening. Khartoum Politics: Sudan’s Sovereignty Council chief said the US proposal for a wider arms embargo will fail at the UN, as diplomacy intensifies around the war’s political track. War Crimes & Accountability: Rights and legal voices are renewing pressure for scrutiny of alleged chlorine weapons use by Sudanese forces, including calls for EU action and independent verification. AI & Influence: AI firm Anthropic says it disrupted a UAE-linked influence operation using its Claude chatbot to target UN experts and shape narratives around the Sudan war, including content aimed at the Muslim Brotherhood. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt’s Sisi and Russia’s Putin stressed de-escalation and preserving Sudan’s unity and sovereignty, framing Sudan as a “red line” for Cairo.

UN Sanctions: The UN Security Council unanimously extended Sudan’s sanctions regime for one month, keeping the Darfur arms embargo in place until Oct. 9 while the U.S. pushes to widen the arms ban nationwide and tighten targeted sanctions to cover sexual violence, kidnapping for ransom, and attacks on humanitarian personnel. Chemical Weapons Scrutiny: Rights groups and UN-linked reporting renewed pressure for a chlorine-attack inquiry as allegations of Sudanese chemical weapons use and leaked files keep resurfacing. War Supply Networks: A UN fact-finding mission says foreign-linked recruitment and companies—allegedly tied to the UAE and Colombia, with transit routes via Chad and Bosaso—have supplied drones, weapons, training, and personnel to the RSF, urging the Security Council to expand the embargo beyond Darfur. Khartoum Diplomacy: The “Quintet” continues talks in Khartoum on war and an inclusive political process, while civil society rejects El Burhan’s proposed dialogue as “political cover.” Humanitarian Fallout: Aid cuts are driving clinic closures and shrinking healthcare access, as displacement and insecurity worsen across multiple states. Press Freedom: Egypt is urged to disclose the whereabouts and legal basis for the arrest of Sudanese journalist Ataf Mohamed Mokhtar, held incommunicado after reporting on Sudan and the war.

Sudan Peace Process: Sudanese civil society coalitions rejected a proposed “Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue” sponsored by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the military, calling it non-neutral “political cover” that can’t deliver legitimacy while the war continues. Regional Diplomacy: The Quintet Mechanism (UN, AU, EU, Arab League, IGAD) wrapped up Khartoum talks, reaffirming Sudan’s sovereignty and rejecting parallel governing structures, while pushing for an inclusive, credible Sudanese-led political process toward a civilian transition. War on the Ground: Sudan’s army said it shot down RSF drones targeting northern Omdurman, with Khartoum reporting a gradual return to normal life as displacement and insecurity persist. Chemical Weapons Pressure: Rights groups and chemical weapons experts renewed calls for an international chlorine-bomb inquiry, pointing to new reporting and urging an OPCW-led investigation into alleged Sudanese chlorine munitions. Humanitarian Fallout: A new humanitarian system report warned that global funding cuts are leaving millions with less aid, citing Sudan among places where political obstruction and violations of humanitarian law limit what aid can reach.