AGP Executive Report

Sudan Accountability & Rights: Sudan’s chemical weapons allegations are now pushing into UN-linked calls for an independent international investigation, with advocates urging OPCW access and responsibility beyond warring-party narratives. UN Diplomacy: At UNGA, the UAE renewed its push for de-escalation and a Sudan end to the war, while also spotlighting navigation and its island dispute; Sudan, meanwhile, demanded foreign interference end and called for RSF disarmament, adding Burhan was blocked by a US visa. War on the Ground: Sudan also reported fuel depot fires after RSF drone strikes, as RSF and army claims continue to trade blame. Regional Ripples (Ethiopia): Ethiopia’s army chief accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of backing Tigray forces amid renewed fighting that has displaced tens of thousands in Afar and hit Tigrai TV with a drone strike. Arts & Culture (Sudan in the spotlight): Cairo’s Gypsum gallery opened Lara Baladi’s “Anatomy of Revolution,” using a Sudan-linked giraffe migration story and workshops with Sudanese refugee women in Egypt. Gulf Politics: Saudi and UAE officials signalled thaw after Yemen tensions, with Saudi inviting the UAE vice president for talks.

Sudan Arts & Culture: Lara Baladi’s “Anatomy of Revolution” closes out her 28-letter Arabic alphabet project with “Zarafa” at Gypsum gallery in Cairo, turning a 19th-century Sudanese giraffe’s journey into a meditation on power, displacement, and today’s Sudanese migration into Egypt. Sudan on the ground: Sudanese authorities say a drone attack attributed to the RSF set fire to fuel depots in Al Jazirah’s Umm Alila area, with firefighters bringing the blaze under control quickly; officials warn the strike could disrupt fuel and services. Regional conflict with cultural stakes: Ethiopia’s army chief accuses Sudan and Egypt of backing Tigray rebels as fighting spreads beyond Tigray, while drone strikes hit Tigrai TV headquarters and civilians face displacement fears. Music & identity: “Rap of the Week” spotlights Sudanese rap prodigy Wingz with “Kharej Al Netaq,” alongside regional releases across MENA. Global arts politics: Macklemore is removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour after pro-Palestine messaging, underscoring how music tours keep colliding with activism and backlash.

Sudan Music: Kordofani drops “Kharej Al Netaq,” a fast, shifting rap track that swings from hard-edged accusations to self-reflection, produced by Sintax. Sudan War & Culture: Sudanese authorities say RSF drones sparked a fire at the Umm Alila fuel depots in Al Jazirah, with civil defence quickly containing it—another reminder of how conflict disrupts daily life. Fashion & Art (Africa): Curator Julia Buchanan explores fashion, art, research and collecting through her work with Thebe Magugu at Magugu House, linking creative practice to sustainable careers. Illicit Gold Trade: A new report argues Africa’s illegal gold networks thrive because weak state control lets conflict groups fund themselves through easily traded gold. UN & Diplomacy (Arts-adjacent): Coverage of UNGA 81 highlights how global politics is turning into spectacle—raising questions about whether multilateral institutions can still deliver. Film/Photo (Regional): The Manaki Brothers cinematography awards name winners across fiction and documentary categories, spotlighting new visual storytelling.

Sudan Arts & Culture: Sudanese rapper Kordofani drops “Kharej Al Netaq,” a fast, shifting Sintax-produced single that swings from sharp, cynical bars to reflective self-critique, using a dramatic beat switch to mirror the track’s emotional turn. Sudan Conflict & Media: In El Gezira, RSF drones struck the Umm Alila fuel depot near Wad Madani, sparking fires as Sudan’s sides trade claims of drone activity and shootdowns. Sudan Politics & Accountability: A wider regional spotlight continues on Sudan’s war and diplomacy, including reports that the UN and major players are debating access and legitimacy around Sudan’s leadership. Arts, Faith & Sudanese Heritage: Pope Leo XIV visited Maison Bakhita in Paris, recalling Josephine Bakhita—born in Sudan—who became a symbol of dignity and survival for trafficking victims. Tech & Information Integrity: A report on Google Earth’s AI image generation warns how easily satellite-style visuals can be manipulated, underlining why verification tools and guardrails matter for conflict reporting.

Sudan Arts & Culture: A new study digs into how pan-Arab media framed Sudan’s civil war, comparing outlets’ different narratives and what that means for public understanding of the conflict’s politics and humanitarian scale. Sudan in the spotlight: UN reporting says Sudan’s de facto leader was denied a visa to attend UNGA over a ceasefire plan, while UN officials renewed calls for an end to the war and accountability around alleged chemical weapons. Film & media: Doha-based filmmaker Amjad Al-Nour’s Sudanese work “Cotton Queen” screened at MIA, adding to the week’s momentum for Sudanese storytelling abroad. Arts-adjacent human interest: In Dubai, Sudanese expatriate mother Marwa Ahmed Al-Amin Bakhit died after complications during childbirth of twin boys, with community support and a large funeral turnout. Regional arts media: Kuwait’s win at the Arab Radio and TV Festival included Sudan-linked performances, underscoring ongoing Arab media exchange.

Sudan Arts & Media: A Sudanese army statement says it captured the strategic North Kordofan city of Sodiri, after fierce clashes with the RSF, underscoring how the war keeps reshaping local life and culture. Sudan Human Rights: In Nyala, South Darfur, seven women journalists and activists were released after about six months in RSF custody, but rights groups warn the ordeal demands accountability and medical access. Sudan War & Society: Another RSF-linked military group reportedly defected to the Sudanese army, adding to a pattern of defections as fighting grinds on. Regional Arts & Broadcast: Kuwait’s Information Ministry won two prizes at the 26th Arab Radio and TV Festival, with Sudan among the participating countries—an arts-media win worth watching for Sudanese audiences. Faith & Culture (Sudan-linked): Pope Leo XIV visited Maison Bakhita in Paris, spotlighting St. Josephine Bakhita—born in Sudan—and the center’s arts and skills workshops for migrants.

Sudan Film & Culture: Doha-based filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani’s acclaimed Sudan story Cotton Queen screens at Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art (Sept 23–26), offering a rare space for memory and imagining a “happier future” amid war. Sudan Media Rights: Seven women journalists and human rights defenders released from RSF detention in Nyala after about six months still need accountability, with reports of restricted access to families and lawyers and denial of adequate medical care. Sudan War & Displacement: The Sudanese army says it captured Sodiri in North Kordofan; meanwhile UNHCR warns of a 20-fold surge of Sudanese fleeing to eastern Chad, with only 18% of needed funding received. Arts, Politics & Pop Culture: A fresh wave of debate swirls around Ed Sheeran and the politics of celebrity platforms, as pop culture clashes with Gaza-linked activism. Regional Arts/Youth: Qatar Foundation’s QIYADA conference (over 1,300 young Muslims) opens with Sudanese filmmaker Amjad al-Nour speaking on anxiety and staying hopeful. Global Arts Events: New York’s Global Citizen Festival is canceled at the last minute due to extreme weather, joining other music-festival cancellations.

Sudan War & Economy: Traders in Omdurman’s Libya Market staged an open-ended strike over new taxes, fees, and bans on essential imports—another sign the conflict is tightening daily life and prices. Gold & Accountability: Sudan’s Gold Exporters Division accuses influential actors of exporting gold outside official channels, saying billions in revenue are leaking while the pound slides. UN Pressure on Sudan: UN chief António Guterres urged an end to the Sudan war and regretted that Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was denied a UN visa, even as Sudan’s foreign minister pledged continued humanitarian cooperation. Humanitarian Exodus: UNHCR says crossings into eastern Chad have surged 20-fold as aid falls short—more than 400 people a day fleeing Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile. Arts & Film (Sudan-linked): “Cotton Queen,” a new Sudanese-Russian feature by Suzannah Mirghani, explores girlhood in Sudan’s cotton fields through themes of colonialism and women’s rights. Culture & Media: Kuwait won awards at the Arab Radio and TV Festival in Tunis, with Sudanese performers among the lineup. Sports: Ngorongoro Heroes won silver after a penalty shootout loss to Sudan in CECAFA U-20 qualifiers, securing qualification for AFCON 2027.

UN Reform & Africa’s Seat Push: Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, speaking at UNGA81 via VP Kashim Shettima, demanded at least two permanent UN Security Council seats for Africa with veto rights (plus five non-permanent seats), arguing the 1945 power setup can’t keep shaping a 2026 world. Sudan War Diplomacy: The US and Sudan traded statements over legitimacy and peace efforts, with Khartoum rejecting any equating of the Army and RSF and warning against rewarding rebellion. Sudan Drone Attacks: Residents in North Kordofan say RSF drone strikes have intensified on government-held towns, including a deadly courtroom attack and a college strike. El Niño Heat Fallout: A new study warns Sudan is among the top countries hit by “Super El Niño,” alongside Nigeria, India and Brazil, with global heat deaths projected to rise sharply. Gaza Digital Recovery: A $2.45B Gaza recovery plan spotlights digital transformation—4G relaunch, digital ID, and digital government pilots—framed as part of a broader peace roadmap. Arts & Media Calendar: Listings highlight major film festival programming and screenings, including Arab and Black film festival events and a “History of Concrete” pick.

Sudan Diplomacy: Khartoum rejected U.S. statements that equate the Sudanese Army and the RSF as “illegitimate,” warning Washington not to “reward the rebellion for its crimes” and urging constructive engagement with Sudan’s sovereignty. Sudan Frontline Violence: Reuters reports the RSF has intensified drone attacks on government-held towns in North Kordofan, including a September courtroom strike in Um Ruwaba that killed about 10 and injured dozens, deepening fear and insecurity. Ethiopia Conflict Spillover: Tigray rebels say they are in “full-blown war” after seizing airports and launching attacks into Afar and Amhara, prompting flight suspensions to Lalibela and renewed warnings of wider civil war. UN & International Law: UN officials say they could investigate contested Sudan chemical weapons allegations if given a mandate, while UN leaders across the week pushed for stronger multilateral rules and UN Charter principles. Arts & Activism: Ukrainian actress Vira Klymkovetska, now in Scotland, brings an anti-war theatre production about displacement to Stirling, while Ed Sheeran’s tour fallout over “Free Palestine” remarks keeps pop culture politics in the spotlight. Youth & Media: Qatar Foundation’s QIYADA conference (Sept 25-26) features Sudanese filmmaker Amjad Al-Nour and aims to turn faith-rooted ideas into youth leadership.

Sudan Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “external actors” are sabotaging peace efforts in Sudan, as both the SAF and RSF are accused of backing away from ceasefire commitments. Ethiopia Conflict: In northern Ethiopia, Tigray forces seized three airports and clashed with federal troops, raising fears the 2020–2022 war could flare again and spill across borders. Nile Water Politics: Egypt renewed pressure on how Ethiopia operates the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, warning downstream water security is still at risk now that construction is complete. UN & Multilateralism: Ethiopia’s president urged a stronger, more equitable multilateral system at UNGA, while Cyprus’ leader condemned Turkey’s continued occupation of northern Cyprus and called for renewed negotiations under UN frameworks. Music Business (Global, with Sudan links): Partisan Music expanded its publishing by merging with OTM Music, bringing Sudan Archives into a larger independent roster.

Sudan & UN diplomacy: The US reportedly withheld a visa from Sudan’s de facto leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, tying entry to a 90-day ceasefire plan—sparking Khartoum’s appeal to UN chief António Guterres and raising fears the Sudan head of state won’t attend the UN General Assembly. Sudan conflict on the ground: In North Kordofan and beyond, fighting and shifting control continue to shape daily life, while the wider UN debate keeps spotlighting Sudan as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Arts & film (Sudan connection): NYU Abu Dhabi’s Arts Centre announced a fall film programme featuring Arab cinema, including Sudanese filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani’s Cotton Queen as part of CinemaNA’s 10-year celebration. Culture loss: Veteran Malayalam theatre and film actor Savithri Sreedharan—beloved for her role as Umma/Jameela in Sudani from Nigeria—died in Kozhikode, leaving a major mark on regional stage and screen. Global climate with Sudan in focus: A new study warns a Super El Niño could drive about 451,000 additional heat deaths worldwide (Sep 2026–Feb 2027), with Sudan among the hardest-hit countries.

UNGA Diplomacy & Sudan: UN Secretary-General António Guterres used his opening address to call for Security Council reform and warned that “cracks have become canyons,” as wars and inequality deepen worldwide. Humanitarian Alarm: Save the Children reports explosive ordnance is killing and injuring children at alarming rates, with drones changing how attacks and fear spread. Sudan at the UN: The US denied a visa to Sudan’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, with Washington reportedly tying entry to a three-month truce—Khartoum rejected it. Regional Arts/Media Angle: Press freedom is under pressure from algorithm-driven feeds and manipulative clickbait, raising concerns for how conflict stories reach audiences. Tech for Care: Anthropic and OpenEvidence announced AI clinical support for doctors in low- and middle-income countries, including Sudan. Local Life & Culture: Aweil’s dry spell is affecting about 1.1 million people, intensifying hunger fears—conditions that often ripple into community life and creative work.

Northern Bahr el Ghazal Drought: Aweil officials say a prolonged dry spell has affected about 1.1 million people across five counties, with food shortages and hunger risks expected to worsen. Diplomacy for Sudan: In New York, Egypt’s foreign minister, Sudan’s foreign minister (SAF-appointed), and a US adviser met to push a path toward a durable peace and an urgent humanitarian truce. UN Chief’s Gaza Warning: UN Secretary-General António Guterres used his final UNGA address to warn of “ethnic cleansing” risks in the occupied West Bank and stressed the UN must be able to carry out its mandate in Gaza. UNGA Power and AI Fears: World leaders opened the 81st General Assembly amid wars and rising anxiety over uncontrolled artificial intelligence, with Guterres calling for a “world built on interdependence.” Sudan’s Humanitarian Strain: Displaced families in North Kordofan report severe shortages—tents, blankets, food, and water—while aid often covers only a fraction of needs. North Kordofan Frontlines: The Sudanese Armed Forces launched new offensives against RSF positions in North Kordofan, pushing into areas west of El Obeid and aiming to create a buffer. Gold Mine Deaths: A northern Sudan gold mine collapse killed at least 10 and injured 21, spotlighting unsafe conditions in informal mining.

UN General Assembly Watch: World leaders kick off the 81st UNGA in New York amid wars, climate shocks, and fears over runaway AI, with diplomats warning the UN is stretched thin as funding is cut and reforms stall. Sudan in the Spotlight: Coverage notes Sudan risks getting less attention even as the UN faces a defining test—humanitarian funding shortfalls mean only a fraction of people facing hunger receive food aid. Media & Information Control: Iraq tightens rules for officials’ media appearances, requiring prior approval—raising fresh questions about who speaks for the government and how journalists access information. Arts, Music & Protest: The Ed Sheeran–Macklemore tour fallout keeps reverberating, with artists and fans treating the “Free Palestine” controversy as a freedom-of-speech and solidarity issue. Cultural Memory: A feature on North African exile songs and Sudan’s revolutionary-era music highlights how “Matalib” and protest art keep living through displacement and war. Public Safety & Everyday Culture: Lagos issues warnings about adulterated palm oil, citing dyes and traceability fraud—an arts-and-lifestyle reminder that everyday life and public trust are also cultural battlegrounds.

Sudan Conflict & Displacement: Civilians are fleeing Hamrat El Sheikh in North Kordofan as SAF operations intensify and RSF fighters move into residential areas, with people reportedly forced to shelter in the open and others heading toward Umm Santah and Ed Debba. Sudan Mining Tragedy: A gold mine collapse in eastern Sudan’s Red Sea State killed at least 10 artisanal miners and injured 21, with rescue hampered by lack of specialized equipment; the disaster follows another deadly collapse in West Kordofan. Nile Water Diplomacy: Egypt renewed its case against Ethiopia’s GERD, stressing Cairo’s water security depends on Nile inflows and warning it retains “all measures” under international law if downstream impacts occur. Music & Politics Spillover: Ed Sheeran opened a Philadelphia show addressing the Gaza controversy and tour fallout after Macklemore was removed; the wider pop backlash continues to ripple across artists and media. Global Stage, Local Relevance: World leaders gather for UNGA amid wars and AI fears, while Sudan remains a recurring focus in international coverage and debate. Sports & Culture: Zara Larsson says she will not perform in Abu Dhabi after fan pressure tied to UAE allegations involving Sudan’s RSF.