AGP Executive Report

Sudan Peace Talks: Egypt’s top diplomat, Badr Abdelatty, held calls with Qatar and Saudi Arabia, urging support for Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity, rejecting “parallel entities,” and pushing for a humanitarian truce as a first step toward a sustainable ceasefire and a Sudanese-led political process. Cross-Border War Impacts: MSF reports intensified drone strikes at the Chad-Sudan border near Tiné, treating 116 wounded since May, with severe burns and blast injuries and a growing share of women and children among casualties. Desertification & Land Restoration: The Great Green Wall initiative highlights slower-than-expected progress but renewed momentum across Sahel countries, including Sudan, with goals for restoring degraded land, boosting food security, and creating green jobs by 2030. Climate Diplomacy Access: Sudan is among countries facing visa barriers that could shrink participation in the Bonn climate talks, raising concerns that the most climate-vulnerable voices will be missing. Water & Resilience Under War: Coverage reiterates that Sudan’s water crisis is worsening due to conflict, even as calls grow for practical hope and resilience planning.

War & Health in Sudan: MSF says drone strikes near Tina on the Chad-Sudan border have intensified since early May, with 116 wounded treated at Tiné Hospital since May began; between 17–26 May alone, 69 patients were admitted, including a strike on a busy market cafeteria on 24 May that sent 35 wounded in one day—women and children among the casualties. Desertification & Climate Resilience: The Great Green Wall effort is expanding beyond a “tree wall” into a Sahel-wide mosaic of restored land across 11 countries (and now more), aiming for 100 million hectares restored by 2030, 250 million tons of carbon captured, and 10 million green jobs—key for Sudan’s climate-stressed communities. Water Security: A new focus on Sudan’s water crisis links war damage to irrigation and dam safety with climate-driven floods and droughts, while regional Nile disputes and weaker multilateral cooperation raise risks for stability. Humanitarian Funding Pressure: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warns aid cuts force “brutal decisions” on which lives to save, underscoring the squeeze on services that Sudan’s civilians depend on.

Humanitarian funding pressure: UN OCHA chief Tom Fletcher says aid cuts are forcing “brutal decisions” on which lives to save, as needs rise across conflict zones. Sudan peace process: Sudanese political forces meet in Addis Ababa under the “Quintet” to try to restart talks, but analysts warn exclusion and lack of legitimacy make progress unlikely. War crimes and accountability: A new report says perpetrators of war crimes are rewarded while civilians—especially women—languish, with documented sexual violence and detention. Sudan’s water and climate stress: Coverage highlights how war has shattered irrigation and dam safety systems while climate change boosts drought and flood risks, worsening instability. Khartoum health strain: UNFPA describes parts of Khartoum as a “ghost town” with burnt buildings and darkness, while noting women face gaps in emergency obstetric and rape care as only 63% of health facilities function partially. Refugee livelihoods support (Egypt): WFP and KOICA completed a $6m programme helping refugees and host communities in Egypt with vocational training and microgrants, boosting incomes and employment. Children in conflict: Harmony Foundation marks the UN International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, warning Sudan’s children are among those paying the price of war.

Sudan Water Under Strain: A new report on Sudan’s water governance says the war has shattered irrigation, flood control, and dam-safety institutions, while climate change is boosting drought and flood swings—turning water into a driver of vulnerability and instability. Nile Tensions: Egypt reiterated it rejects unilateral actions on transboundary rivers, including the Nile, and welcomed expanded water cooperation with Japan, as GERD talks remain a flashpoint involving Sudan. Khartoum Return and Health Gaps: UNFPA described parts of Khartoum as a “ghost town” but said people are coming back; it also warned that violence and damaged healthcare leave only about 63% of facilities partially functioning, with women and girls facing barriers to emergency care. Ecosystem-Ready Adaptation Finance: The GEF approved new LDCF/SCCF projects for Sudan and others, totaling $67m in fresh support (plus nearly $218m co-financing) aimed at flood/coastal risk reduction, food and water security, ecosystem protection, and disaster preparedness. Darfur Drone Attacks: New drone strikes in Darfur and Kordofan reportedly killed civilians and escalated accusations between parties, alongside ongoing tribal clashes. War Crimes and Accountability: A rights-focused piece highlights how alleged war-crimes suspects are rewarded while civilians—especially women—suffer, underscoring the lack of accountability amid the conflict.

Water & Conflict: UNFPA says parts of Khartoum feel like a “ghost town” after war damage, but people are returning—while women and adolescent girls face worsening access to emergency obstetric care and rape treatment; only 63% of health facilities are partially functioning. Drones & Civilian Harm: New drone attacks in Darfur and Kordofan have killed at least 12 in a market attack in Kabum and sparked renewed accusations between Sudan’s warring sides, alongside ongoing tribal clashes. Water Security & Regional Rivers: Egypt reaffirmed rejection of unilateral actions on transboundary rivers, stressing prior notification and harm-avoidance under international law as it seeks deeper cooperation with Japan on water management and sustainable development. Climate Finance for Resilience: The GEF approved new LDCF/SCCF projects, including support for Sudan, to cut flood and coastal risks, strengthen food and water security, protect ecosystems, and improve disaster preparedness. Health in Crisis: A renewed Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is widening, with early diagnostic failures allowing spread—raising alarms about preparedness gaps in fragile, conflict-affected health systems. War on Information: Analysts warn SAF and RSF are fighting a “virtual war” of propaganda and disinformation, making truth harder to find for Sudanese audiences.

Climate Adaptation Finance: The GEF’s Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund council approved a new LDCF/SCCF work program for 2030, unlocking over $67m for projects in Sudan and other vulnerable states, with nearly $218m in co-financing to cut flood and coastal risks, boost food and water security, protect ecosystems, and strengthen disaster preparedness. Sudan Conflict & Environment: New drone attacks in Darfur and Kordofan left civilians dead and injured, while fighting between local groups continues—conditions that often worsen displacement, land damage, and pressure on scarce resources. Water Pollution & Rivers: A push is growing for dedicated channels and more sewage treatment to stop effluent and sewage from contaminating the Godavari River, with lawmakers warning the water is unsafe and urging infrastructure that can also protect downstream agriculture. Ebola Preparedness Gap: A renewed Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC highlights diagnostic failures that let cases spread undetected for weeks, underscoring how health-system readiness gaps can quickly become public health and environmental risk multipliers. Food Security Leadership: Carl Skau took over as acting executive director of WFP as acute hunger rises amid conflict, displacement, and extreme weather—directly tied to climate stress and ecosystem strain. Press Freedom in Sudan: Coverage notes Sudan’s SAF and RSF are fighting a propaganda war online and on air, shaping what people believe during the crisis.

Water Pollution & Rivers: A push is growing for a dedicated channel to move treated industrial effluents and sewage away from the Godavari River, after officials warned the water is unsafe for public use and that pollution is worsening crop stress. Drought & Social Safety: A new study links prolonged drought to a higher risk of violence against adolescents, highlighting how climate stress spills into homes, schools, and daily security. Sudan War & Information Chaos: Sudan’s SAF and RSF are fighting a “virtual war” online and on airwaves, using propaganda and fragmented narratives that make the truth hard to find. Darfur/Kordofan Attacks: New drone strikes across Darfur and Kordofan reportedly killed civilians and inflamed tribal tensions, with accusations traded between sides. Ebola Preparedness: WHO reports Ebola is spreading in DRC and Uganda, and is pushing experimental treatments and vaccine candidates to slow transmission. Climate Resilience Funding: The GEF approved over $67m for LDCs including Sudan to strengthen resilience, with projects targeting flood and coastal risks plus food and water security. Food Security Leadership: Carl Skau took over as acting WFP executive director as acute hunger rises amid extreme weather and conflict. Press Freedom in Sudan: Radio Dabanga was shortlisted for a 2026 free media award, underscoring the pressure on independent reporting.

Food Security & Hunger: Carl Skau has taken over as Acting Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, as acute hunger rises and WFP says it has received only about half the funding it needs to feed people at scale. Ebola Preparedness: Liberia’s NCCRM says it is strengthening national readiness after Ebola cases were reported in the DRC and Uganda, with plans for prevention, early warning, public awareness, and response coordination. Sudan Politics & Dialogue: A “quintet” group meeting in Addis Ababa to push Sudanese parties toward dialogue is reportedly at risk, with some alliances declining attendance over concerns about new forces “flooding” the process. Environment & Heritage Under Pressure: An international team using satellite tech says it found 260 large communal burial sites in Sudan’s Atbai Desert, but warns aggressive, unregulated gold mining and unrest are destroying monuments fast. Regional Security: Egypt’s foreign minister reiterated Cairo’s commitment to contain crises and resolve conflicts peacefully with regional and international partners.

Desertification in the Sahel: A new UN-linked report warns the Sahara is pushing south as more land becomes permanently drier, with the Sahara’s expansion threatening livelihoods across the drylands. Ebola vaccine push (DRC/Uganda/Sudan risk): CEPI says it will urgently accelerate three Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates, with up to $50m for early testing, as health agencies stress preparedness for cross-border spread that also reaches Sudan. Ebola readiness in the region: Liberia’s NCCRM is strengthening early warning, prevention, public awareness, and response coordination after meetings focused on Ebola threat management. Sudan politics and dialogue friction: Radio Dabanga reports Addis talks by the AU/IGAD/UN/EU/Arab League “quintet” face declining attendance, with parties warning the process is being “flooded” by new forces. Sudan–UAE settlement debate: A Sudanese commentary argues any move toward talks with the UAE must not ignore the UAE’s alleged role in fueling war, warning against rewarding aggression. Food security pressure: WFP-linked reporting highlights how conflict and funding shortfalls are pushing acute hunger risk higher, with Sudan heavily reliant on imported wheat. Ancient Sudan under threat: Satellite-led research reports 6,000-year-old communal burial sites in Eastern Sudan, but warns unregulated gold rush and civil strife are destroying monuments fast.

Desertification in the Sahel: A new report warns the Sahara is pushing south, with UN data saying more than three-quarters of land has become permanently drier since 1996—raising fresh pressure on Sudan’s drylands and livelihoods. Ebola preparedness in the region: Liberia’s NCCRM says it is boosting Ebola readiness after cases were reported in neighboring countries, focusing on prevention, early warning, public awareness, and response coordination. Sudan’s heritage under threat: Satellite work in eastern Sudan points to 6,000-year-old communal burial enclosures now facing “catastrophic” destruction from an aggressive, uncontrolled gold rush and civil strife. Food security and climate shocks: UN-linked reporting highlights how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz can tighten fertilizer supplies and worsen hunger risk—an issue that hits Sudan hard, given its heavy wheat imports. Wildlife trafficking pressure: Conservation groups warn illegal wildlife trade remains rampant, with East Africa acting as a transit hub—relevant for Sudan’s biodiversity and enforcement efforts. AU diplomacy on Sudan: The AU Peace and Security Council reiterates Sudan’s membership suspension until a democratic transitional government returns, weighing principles against urgent peacebuilding needs.

Sudan Environment & Climate: A new report warns that Sudan’s food system is being squeezed by global shipping disruptions tied to the US-Iran standoff, with the UN World Food Programme saying 45 million people face acute hunger if hostilities persist; Sudan already imports 80% of its wheat, so fertilizer shortages and higher prices risk hitting harvests and livelihoods hard. Cultural Heritage Under Pressure: Satellite-led archaeologists say they found 260 communal burial sites in Eastern Sudan’s Atbai Desert—enclosure burials up to 80 meters wide—but warn many are being destroyed or vandalized by an aggressive, unregulated gold rush and local civil strife, with some monuments vulnerable to disappearance in less than a week. Mining Pollution: A separate Sudan mining-area report says cyanide ponds killed an entire sheep flock, highlighting the environmental and public-safety risks tied to extractive activity. Regional Governance: An AU policy debate revisits Sudan’s membership suspension, weighing “zero tolerance” for unconstitutional changes against the urgent need for peacebuilding amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Desertification & heritage at risk: An international team using satellites says it has mapped 260 communal burial sites in Sudan’s Atbai Desert—some up to 80m across—but warns an aggressive, unregulated gold rush and civil strife are destroying the monuments fast. Sudan politics & dialogue: Sudan’s rival leaders used Eid El Adha speeches to push competing paths—El Burhan called for a broad “Sudanese-Sudanese” national dialogue inside the country, while reactions highlighted deep splits as June 3 talks are set to begin. Armed conflict & environment-health links: A humanitarian group accused UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces of attacks that worsen already fragile conditions, while broader reporting this week also flags how conflict keeps undermining health protection. Wildlife trafficking fight: A two-part interview highlights how illegal wildlife trade continues across East Africa and Ethiopia, with enforcement and counter-trafficking efforts struggling against persistent demand. Climate pressure: UN-linked reporting warns the world is likely to cross key climate thresholds soon, raising the stakes for drought, land degradation, and food security in the region.

Ebola Response: WHO-linked reporting says the current Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC has no specific vaccines or treatments yet, with about 906 cases and 223 suspected deaths reported and fears numbers will rise—while vaccine development is accelerating in response. Sudan Politics & Dialogue: Sudan’s rival leaders used Eid El Adha speeches to push competing paths: SAF commander Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan called for a broad “Sudanese-Sudanese” internal dialogue and reconstruction, while civil forces backed a new “Towards Building a New Nation” charter aimed at sustaining peace and protecting civilians. Humanitarian Aid Pressure: The EU unveiled new measures to strengthen humanitarian action as needs hit record levels, with funding shortfalls leaving fewer than half of people in need covered. Climate Risk: UN projections warn the world is likely to cross the 1.5°C threshold in 2026–2030, raising the stakes for drought, heat stress, and disaster planning across vulnerable regions. Biodiversity Funding: UK’s Darwin Initiative cuts could remove eligibility for biodiversity projects in countries including Sudan, raising alarms for wildlife and habitat protection.

Sudan Politics & Peace Talks: Sudan’s rival leaders used Eid al-Adha speeches to push competing paths forward: SAF commander Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan announced plans for a broad “Sudanese-Sudanese” political dialogue inside the country, excluding forces “whose hands are stained with the blood” of Sudanese people, while insisting Khartoum rejects “conferences and dialogues of foreign capitals.” Civil Society Charter: A coalition of independent democratic civil society groups signed a new charter, “Towards Building a New Nation,” calling for decentralised federalism, civilian authority during transition, and protection of civilians and humanitarian access. Regional Diplomacy: US and France discussed cooperation on Sudan and Libya, including alignment with the Berlin Conference outcomes and a joint declaration of principles. Environment & Climate Governance: A UK biodiversity funding cut (Darwin Initiative) threatens projects in countries including Sudan, with conservationists warning it could set back efforts to halt nature decline. Global UN Pressure: UN chief António Guterres warned the UN Charter is under “profound strain” as wars, arms races and climate shocks intensify, challenging sovereignty and the ban on use of force.

Sudan Politics & Peace Talks: Sudan’s rival leaders used Eid El Adha speeches to push competing paths forward: SAF chief Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan called for a comprehensive Sudanese-Sudanese political dialogue inside the country, excluding forces “whose hands are stained with the blood” of Sudanese people, and rejected “externally imposed” solutions ahead of June 3 talks backed by the AU, UN, EU, Arab League and IGAD. Civilians, Rights & Humanitarian Access: A new Sudanese Declaration of Principles Forces charter, “Towards Building a New Nation,” says the priority is ending the war, protecting civilians, opening safe corridors for humanitarian aid, and building a decentralized federal state with equal citizenship. Environment & Conflict Impacts: A Sudan mining-area report highlights cyanide ponds killing an entire sheep flock, underscoring how extractive pollution can devastate rural livelihoods during instability. Global Climate Governance Pressure: UN chief António Guterres warned the UN Charter is under “profound strain” as wars, arms races, climate shocks and legal erosion intensify—context that matters for Sudan’s climate-vulnerable, conflict-affected communities.

Cyanide spill risk in Sudan’s gold belt: In River Nile State, residents say open chemical ponds used in unregulated gold processing killed an entire sheep flock after animals drank from cyanide/thiourea-tainted water, renewing calls for tighter controls and safer waste handling. Sudan civil politics push: A coalition of independent democratic civil society groups announced a new “Towards Building a New Nation” charter, calling for a civilian-led transitional authority, decentralised federalism, and protections for civilians and humanitarian access. Water, health and climate in Sabha: The UN examined water, health and climate challenges in southern municipalities in Sabha, highlighting how basic services and climate pressures are colliding. Humanitarian aid under strain: The EU adopted a new humanitarian approach built around “protect, perform and partner,” as global needs hit record levels and funding reaches fewer than half of people requiring help. Ebola vaccine race (DRC): Scientists and partners are accelerating a Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine candidate, aiming to scale production and strengthen outbreak containment. Internet shutdown fallout (Iran): After 88 days of near-total blackout, partial internet access returned, but traffic remains low and restrictions persist—an example of how connectivity shocks can deepen social and economic harm.