Sudan in the headlines as hunger crisis and aid costs surge amid war, with 19.5M people acutely hungry. Background: Africa’s third-largest country by area, long conflict-prone, recently split into Sudan and South Sudan.
Since December fighting has displaced more than 280,000 people in eastern Jonglei state, South Sudan, and UN-verified reporting has shown hospitals overwhelmed. Opposition figures have said government forces have summarily arrested, tortured and killed at least 25 civilians in Pankor, Ayod county; AFP has verified graphic images linked to the incident but could not independently confirm location or timing.
The conflict in Sudan’s Kordofan region has intensified, with renewed artillery and drone strikes on Dilling and Al-Mojlad. The army says it has recaptured Bara, linking Khartoum to North Kordofan, while the RSF continues attacks on El-Obeid. Civilian casualties and displacement are rising as the war persists.
Since early March 2026, drone strikes in Sudan's civil war have killed over 200 civilians, including at least 28 in recent attacks on markets and schools near Chad's border and in White Nile state. The US designated the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group, citing its role in violence and Iranian support. The conflict has displaced millions and worsened humanitarian crises.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, now in its third week, has disrupted shipping routes and increased costs, pushing millions into hunger. The UN warns that if the war continues through June, an additional 45 million people could face acute food insecurity, raising global hunger to record levels.
Sudan's health infrastructure continues to deteriorate due to ongoing conflict, with hospitals operating at limited capacity and shortages of essential medicines. Patients like Othman face increased risks as war hampers medical services, worsening disease outbreaks and health outcomes across the country.
Clashes in Chad's Wadi Fira province have resulted in 42 deaths and 10 injuries. The violence, linked to intercommunal resource disputes, has prompted military intervention. The government is implementing mediation and judicial processes amid ongoing tensions caused by the Sudan conflict and refugee influx.
Muslim communities have been observing Eid al-Fitr this March, marking the end of Ramadan with prayers, family gatherings and traditional customs. Celebrations have been shadowed by the Iran war and heightened anti-Muslim rhetoric and immigration fears in the United States. In Indonesia, Malaysia and Egypt routine homecoming and festive practices are continuing.
Recent fighting between Sudanese forces and RSF fighters has intensified along the Sudan-Chad border, resulting in casualties on both sides, including civilians. A drone strike killed at least 16 civilians in Mabrouka, while heavy clashes in El Tina have caused dozens of injuries and displacement. Chad has closed its border amid ongoing violence.
The UK government announced significant reductions in aid to African and other developing countries, prioritising conflict zones like Ukraine, Sudan, and Palestine. The cuts, part of a broader shift towards multilateral funding, will see aid spending drop sharply by 2029, sparking criticism from aid groups and opposition.
A drone attack from Sudan struck the Chadian border town of Tine during a funeral, killing 17 civilians, including mourners and children. Chad's government has vowed retaliation amid ongoing Sudan conflict spillover, with border security heightened and threats of military action.
On March 20, 2026, a drone strike hit Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur, Sudan, killing 70 people including 13 children, two nurses, and a doctor. The attack injured 146 others and severely damaged the hospital, rendering it non-functional. This marks the 213th attack on healthcare facilities since Sudan's civil war began in April 2023, with over 2,000 fatalities reported.
A strike on Al Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur killed 70, including children and women, and injured 146. The attack rendered the hospital non-functional, worsening Sudan's ongoing humanitarian crisis. Both sides blame each other, with the military denying targeting the facility. The war has caused thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
A cross-border drone attack from Sudan killed 17 people in Chad, including mourners at a funeral. Chad's president ordered military retaliation and increased border security. The conflict in Sudan has spilled into Chad, causing casualties and displacement, with ongoing violence and humanitarian crises.
The US embassy in Namibia emphasizes strict adherence to visa rules, warning travelers about overstays and document fraud. Meanwhile, the UK issues broad travel warnings for multiple countries, citing safety and legal concerns. Both stories highlight increased scrutiny on international travel and visa compliance as global mobility rises.
Recent reports detail widespread sexual violence in Sudan's Darfur region, with over 3,396 cases treated by MSF since 2024. Armed groups, especially RSF, use sexual violence as a weapon of war, targeting civilians during daily activities. The crisis continues with little accountability, exacerbating humanitarian suffering.
Libya has seen a significant easing of conflict, with recent agreements on a unified budget and joint military exercises involving forces from both the eastern Libyan National Army and the UN-recognized government. The exercises, supported by the US and Italy, mark a step toward military integration after years of division and conflict. Meanwhile, investigations reveal ongoing financial and military support networks linked to Haftar's forces, including illicit arms transfers and influence over Libya's economy. Satellite images also show new drone activity at Al Khadim airbase, indicating continued military developments.
A report by The Sentry links Libyan businessman Ahmed Gadalla to financing Haftar's failed offensive, supporting Russian mercenaries and illicit financial activities. Gadalla's influence has expanded across eastern Libya's financial system, with ongoing efforts to procure arms for Sudan amid regional instability. Western calls for sanctions grow.
The US has revoked green cards and detained several Iranian nationals linked to Iran's regime, including Shamim Mafi, accused of brokering arms deals, and Seyed Eissa Hashemi, son of Masoumeh Ebtekar. The crackdown targets regime affiliates living in the US, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading efforts citing national security risks.
The conflict in the Middle East has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting aid supply chains to Africa and increasing costs for humanitarian operations. Aid groups face delays, higher expenses, and potential shortages of medicines and food, with impacts expected to last for months.
The UN reports a surge in violence against humanitarian workers from 2023 to 2025, with over 1,010 killed globally. Despite resolutions calling for protection, aid staff face restrictions, detention, and targeted attacks, highlighting a collapse in international safeguards during ongoing conflicts.
Four adults have died after being swept away while trying to board a small "taxi-boat" off Équihen-Plage near Calais; French authorities have rescued 38 others and a dinghy has continued to the UK carrying dozens. Britain has charged 27-year-old Alnour Mohamed Ali with endangering life under new maritime border legislation; he has pleaded not guilty.
Pakistan has sent fighter and support jets to Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Air Base under a mutual defense pact signed in 2025. The deployment follows regional tensions, including Iranian attacks on Saudi targets and ongoing negotiations involving Iran, the US, and regional allies. The move signals Pakistan's commitment to its security obligations and regional stability.
UNICEF has issued its first Child Alert in 20 years for Darfur, saying children have been pushed into extreme hunger, disease, displacement and violence as fighting between Sudan's army and the RSF has intensified. The agency has warned that needs are larger than in 2005 and that international funding and access are dangerously low.
Sudan has been in a civil war since April 2023, with ongoing fighting between the military and RSF. The conflict has caused widespread displacement, famine, and infrastructure destruction. International efforts to broker peace and provide aid are ongoing, but the crisis remains unresolved as of April 2026.
Women in Sudan continue to suffer sexual violence amid ongoing conflict. A young inventor has developed a protective device for women, while reports detail widespread atrocities by paramilitary forces. The conflict has displaced millions and worsened humanitarian conditions, with no immediate end in sight.
Several countries have issued a joint statement condemning Israel's appointment of a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland, viewing it as a violation of Somalia's sovereignty. Somaliland emphasizes its independence based on legal and historical grounds, rejecting Mogadishu's claims. The move heightens regional tensions and questions of sovereignty.
Legal groups have filed a case before the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, accusing Mali of failing to prosecute atrocities committed by Wagner Group contractors in 2022. The case marks a first effort to hold a state responsible for hosting private military contractors involved in abuses in Africa.
The WHO and aid groups warn that attacks on medical facilities and chronic shortages have brought Gaza and parts of Sudan to the brink of collapse, with thousands awaiting treatment, cancer patients at risk, and cross-border evacuations constrained by security and access limits.
The DRC and M23 have agreed to facilitate humanitarian access, release prisoners within 10 days, and establish a ceasefire monitoring mechanism after five days of Swiss talks mediated by Qatar. Despite progress, disagreements remain over sentences and bank reopenings, with fighting continuing in eastern regions.
Shamim Mafi, an Iranian national and US permanent resident, has been held without bail in Los Angeles for allegedly brokering Iranian drones, bombs, and ammunition sales to Sudan. She faces up to 20 years in prison. Mafi reportedly operated through an Oman-registered company and maintained close ties with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security while facilitating arms deals fueling Sudan's civil war.
A migrant boat leaving Tobruk has capsized in the eastern Libyan Mediterranean, with at least seven survivors and nine missing. The UN IOM notes survivors were at sea for days and some migrants died of hunger and thirst. Rescue efforts involve Libyan navy, coast guard, and Red Crescent amid continuing migrant crossings from Libya to Europe.
Sanctions have targeted Colombian mercenaries and networks aiding the RSF as UN and US authorities document Libyan-based support. The RSF is expanding operations with foreign fighters and equipment amid the Sudan conflict, raising humanitarian concerns and prompting renewed pressure on international actors.
The US has been discussing relocating 1,100 Afghan refugees, including military allies and families of US service members, from a Qatar base to third countries, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a possible option. The Trump administration halted Afghan visa processing in 2025, leaving refugees stranded and facing forced choices between returning to Taliban rule or resettlement in unstable countries.
A small boat carrying 82 people has run aground near Hardelot after its engine failed overnight; two young women have been found dead inside the vessel and 16 people were rescued at sea. Dozens are injured, including three with severe burns; French authorities have opened an investigation while the UK-France policing deal is being rolled out.
Recent aid budget cuts by the US and UK are worsening the humanitarian crisis caused by the Iran war. UN officials warn that these reductions will increase global poverty, displacement, and instability, with millions at risk of suffering from food and water shortages. The conflict's ripple effects are felt worldwide.
British International Investment has announced a new strategy to increase private sector investments in Africa, focusing on frontier markets and high-impact sectors. The plan aims to mobilise up to £8 billion, with at least 25% directed to Least Developed Countries, amid declining official aid and rising private capital mobilisation.
Updated assessments show 7.8 million South Sudan residents, 1.24 million in Lebanon, and rising numbers in DRC, Yemen, and Gaza facing high to extreme hunger. Conflict, climate shocks, displacement, and funding shortfalls are driving a widening global food-security crisis with famine feared in several areas.
Aid deliveries to Sudan and surrounding regions have become more costly and delayed as oil price volatility and shipping disruptions linked to the Iran conflict press on fuel, insurance, and transport routes. UNHCR and major agencies say humanitarian operations are tightening amid funding gaps and port congestion.
A Cessna 208 Caravan operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd has crashed about 20 kilometers southwest of Juba, killing 15 people on board including 13 South Sudanese and 2 Kenyans. Initial findings point to adverse weather and poor visibility. Investigators have been dispatched to the scene.
The UN and aid groups warn that more than 21 million people in Sudan face acute hunger after 1,000 days of conflict, with funding shortfalls risking the suspension of food and nutrition programmes and possibly famine in parts of the country.
World Press Freedom Day has seen leaders and agencies calling for protection of journalists amid rising risks. Liberia’s Press Union has linked press freedom with democracy and urged government respect for freedom of expression. Sudan marks the day with condemnation of violence, displacements and killings of journalists in the war, while the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate is celebrated for UNESCO prize recognition. The Pope has also urged support for independent journalism.
The Middle East conflict has pushed up fuel, fertiliser and packaging costs, feeding higher food prices globally. Retailers warn inflation is likely to continue if the war persists, while farmers face rising input costs and potential production cuts.
The IDMC and NRC have reported 82.2 million people were internally displaced at the end of 2025, a new record driven largely by conflict (32.3 million) and increasingly by climate disasters (29.9 million). Iran and DR Congo account for two‑fifths of conflict‑driven displacements, while Sudan remains the country with the most IDPs. Displacements linked to conflict have surged by 60% year over year.
BRICS foreign ministers conference in New Delhi is ongoing as members push for reform of global governance while clashing over Israel-Gaza war, Iran-UAE tensions, and regional security. India chairs the group for 2026; no joint closing statement has emerged amid conflicting positions.
The U.N.-backed IPC has reported that 19.5 million Sudanese—over 40% of the population—are facing acute hunger in 2026, with 135,000 in catastrophic (Phase 5) conditions and 825,000 children expected to suffer severe acute malnutrition. Fighting, drone strikes and disrupted supply routes are blocking aid and will worsen conditions during the July planting season.
BRICS foreign ministers have convened in New Delhi amid persistent divisions over the U.S.-Israel conflict in the Middle East. India’s chairmanship has highlighted calls for reform of global governance while specific language on Gaza and regional security has faced reservations from some members. Iran has urged condemnation of Western actions, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia are cited as key divisive players.
Sudan’s leadership has announced a comprehensive, internal political dialogue to pave the way for a civilian transition, while warning against foreign-imposed solutions. The plan follows AU, UN, EU, and regional talks planned for June. RSF leaders push for a “new Sudan” with governance and development reforms, as clashes and humanitarian concerns persist.
A bomb has hit a passenger shuttle carrying military personnel and families near Quetta, Balochistan on 24 May 2026, killing at least two dozen people and wounding dozens more. The Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility; carriages have overturned, nearby buildings have been damaged and hospitals have declared emergencies.
UN warns 363 million people face acute hunger as US-Israel actions push oil prices higher; aid funding has fallen sharply, forcing cutbacks in relief programs amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Sudan.
As Eid al-Adha begins, displaced Gazans, Iranians facing inflation, and West Bank families coping with displacement and violence are contending with high meat and goods prices, driving hardship and altered celebrations amid ongoing conflicts and sanctions.