FinPol Digest

  In a horrifying escalation of violence, South Sudanese forces have been accused of dropping makeshift incendiary weapons on civilians, leaving entire villages in flames and children charred beyond recognition. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has exposed a series of deadly airstrikes in Upper Nile State, where government forces allegedly killed nearly 60 people—including children —using improvised firebombs. The attacks, carried out between March 16 and 21, targeted multiple counties, with witnesses describing scenes of unimaginable horror. Survivors reported seeing victims with "black skin peeling off" and one man so badly burned that even his teeth were scorched. The brutality of these attacks has raised urgent questions about potential war crimes. The deadliest strikes hit Mathiang village in Longechuk County, where at least 21 people were killed. Similar attacks devastated Nasir town, where 22 civilians died, and Kuich village, where 15 people—including three children—perished ...

  Imagine walking for miles under the scorching sun, your child limp in your arms, only to find the health clinic boarded up — because foreign aid was cut.   This is the devastating reality for families in South Sudan, where children are dying from cholera as US funding vanishes. South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, is no stranger to suffering. Since gaining independence in 2011, it has been trapped in cycles of violence and poverty. Now, a deadly cholera outbreak — the worst in the country’s history — has pushed its broken healthcare system to the brink. UNICEF reports nearly 40,000 cases since September, with children under 15 making up half the victims. But what’s driving this catastrophe? Experts point to drastic cuts in US aid, leaving clinics shuttered and families helpless. The consequences are dire. Save the Children, a UK-based charity, revealed that at least five children in Jonglei state died while trekking for medical care — only to find clinics closed. The or...

  The UK promised a breakthrough for Sudan — but by shutting out Khartoum , it may have just reignited the diplomatic war behind the bloodshed. When the UK announced a high-profile conference to address Sudan’s humanitarian disaster, it framed the event as a chance to unite the world behind peace. Instead, the move has triggered a diplomatic explosion, with Sudan’s government accusing Britain of “whitewashing genocide” by excluding it while inviting countries it claims fund the RSF’s atrocities. The backlash reveals a fatal flaw in international peacemaking: Can Sudan’s crisis be solved without the government that still holds the keys to legitimacy — and the military? In its fiery letter to the UK, Khartoum didn’t hold back: London stands accused of becoming a “propaganda hub” for the RSF, a group the US has labeled a perpetrator of crimes against humanity. The Sudanese government’s fury isn’t just about exclusion — it’s about recognition. By treating the RSF and its backers as equ...

  The Somali National Army serves as a crucial military entity through which nations fight against terrorism on an international scale. The SNA's current military initiatives combined with their strategic growth has elevated Somali internal security measures which now benefit the safety of the region and worldwide stability. The SNA took over the protection role for both the Presidential Palace and Federal Parliament in December 2023 after the 16-year mission of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) had completed its run. The Somali military forces now operate independently for national security which demonstrates their continuous development and independence. The SNA strengthens its counter-terrorism actions through focused terrorist militant elimination operations.  International military cooperation produced noteworthy battlefield victories which resulted in freeing important towns together with villages from enemy forces. Through these military campaigns the ...

  The United Nations has issued a scathing condemnation following shocking reports of extrajudicial killings in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum . After the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) retook the city on March 26, local human rights groups began documenting widespread executions of civilians accused of collaborating with the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF). UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep horror, calling the killings a blatant violation of international law. The allegations paint a grim picture of a military crackdown spiraling into unchecked brutality. Disturbing videos circulating on social media since late March show armed men — some in uniform, others in plain clothes — gunning down unarmed civilians in broad daylight. Türk’s office verified several clips depicting executions in Khartoum’s southern and eastern neighborhoods, where victims were accused of aiding the RSF. “These are not isolated incidents,” Türk warned, demanding an immediate halt to th...

  South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, is teetering on the brink of another devastating civil war — and the African Union (AU) is racing against time to prevent it.  A high-level AU delegation, including former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and ex-Kenyan judge Effie Owuor, arrived in Juba this week to mediate escalating tensions after First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest . The move has sparked fears of renewed conflict, threatening to unravel the fragile 2018 peace deal that ended a brutal five-year war. The crisis erupted last week when President Salva Kiir’s government accused Machar — his longtime rival — of plotting a rebellion. Machar, who led rebel forces during the 2013–18 civil war, denies the allegations, but his detention has sent shockwaves across the region. Fighting in Upper Nile state between government troops and the White Army militia, once allied with Machar, has intensified, raising concerns that the country could desce...

  The African Union (AU) has issued a stark warning about the growing risk of Sudan’s partition following the announcement of a parallel government by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies. This development comes amid an already dire situation, with nearly two years of violent conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF. The war, initially sparked by disagreements over the RSF’s integration into the regular army, has escalated into a brutal struggle for control, splitting the country geographically. The army maintains dominance in eastern and northern Sudan, while the RSF controls nearly all of western Darfur and portions of the south. The announcement of a rival government has added fuel to the fire, prompting urgent calls for unity from the AU and the international community. The RSF and its allies took a significant step in March by signing a founding charter in Nairobi, outlining their plans for a secular, democratic, and decentralised state. Their proposal promises ...

  South Sudan’s already fragile peace deal is teetering on the brink as Vice President Riek Machar’s arrest sparks fears of renewed conflict . The government accuses Machar of conspiring with rebel factions, while his party, the SPLM-IO, demands his immediate release, warning that the country is dangerously close to another civil war. Yet, despite the escalating tensions, neither side seems willing to fully abandon the 2018 peace agreement — raising the question: Can South Sudan navigate this crisis without plunging back into violence? The arrest of Machar, a key architect of the 2018 peace deal, has sent shockwaves through the nation. President Salva Kiir’s government claims Machar was in contact with rebel commanders, allegedly plotting unrest ahead of planned elections. However, the SPLM-IO insists these accusations are politically motivated, arguing that Machar’s detention is an attempt to sideline the opposition. Information Minister Michael Makuei has tried to downplay fears ...

  A Nation’s Shield Against Chaos The Eastern African nation  Somalia relies on the National Army to battle against the continuing terrorist organization Al-Shabaab . The Somalian military force has fought for twenty years to bring back state government while keeping African and worldwide violence from spreading further. Through international backing the SNA developed from its divided status into a symbol of longitudinal strength encompassing 32,000 personnel made up of 19,000 active service members. The ongoing fight in Mogadishu requires international support to secure global stability due to terrorist dangers which threaten Africa as well as other continents. The Somali National Army conducted its major offensive after 2022 by retaking more than 200 settlements from the Al-Shabaab in Hiraan and Galmudug regions of central Somalia. The counterterrorism operations primarily depend on both Danab Brigade troops trained by the US (2,000 personnel strength) and Gorgor Battalions ...

  After nearly two years of brutal warfare, the Sudanese army is making decisive gains—but will it be enough to finally crush the Rapid Support Forces? The Sudanese military has announced a major breakthrough in the capital, Khartoum, claiming to have surrounded the airport and nearby areas while pushing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) out of key neighborhoods. This marks a significant shift in a conflict that has ravaged the country since April 2023, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. Eyewitnesses report RSF fighters retreating from eastern Khartoum districts like Burri and Arkaweet, as well as southern strongholds such as Al-Azhari and Al-Sahafa. If these claims hold, it could signal the beginning of the end for the RSF’s dominance in the capital. The army’s latest control map reveals an expanding presence not just in Khartoum but also in White Nile and Kordofan states, regions that have seen fierce battles over the past year. The Sudan Shield Forc...

  The African Union (AU) made a decisive move on June 6, 2019, suspending Sudan from all AU activities  until a civilian-led transitional government was established. This bold decision came after months of political turmoil following the military coup on April 11, 2019, which ousted longtime leader Omar al-Bashir. The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) emphasized that Sudan’s suspension was necessary to push for a democratic transition, signaling that the continent would no longer tolerate unconstitutional power grabs. But was this suspension a genuine step toward democracy, or just political posturing? The PSC’s decision was a direct response to the Transitional Military Council’s (TMC) failure to transfer power to civilian rule. Despite initial promises of a swift transition, the military continued to hold onto power, leading to violent crackdowns on pro-democracy protesters. The infamous June 3 massacre, where security forces killed over 100 demonstrators, was the final st...

  The ongoing war in Sudan has taken a dramatic turn with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) recapturing key government buildings in Khartoum , including the presidential palace, from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These military gains are not only strategic but could also shift the balance of power in the capital in favor of the government. However, while Sudan’s government is making advances, the conflict is having dangerous ripple effects on its southern neighbor. South Sudan’s fragile coalition government has been thrown into turmoil after last week’s collapse of a crucial peace deal between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar. With growing political instability and mounting violence, South Sudan now faces the terrifying prospect of another civil war. The dismissal of the governor of Upper Nile state by President Kiir has further aggravated tensions between his administration and Machar’s faction. Upper Nile has become a flashpoint for violence, as government forc...

  Sudan’s military has declared a significant victory in the ongoing conflict by retaking the Republican Palace in Khartoum, the symbolic heart of the nation’s government. This marks a major milestone in the nearly two-year-long war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who had held the palace as their last stronghold in the capital. Videos circulating on social media show soldiers celebrating inside the compound, chanting “God is the greatest!” as they tread over broken tiles and debris. The palace, once a gleaming symbol of Sudanese sovereignty, now lies partly in ruins, a stark reminder of the devastation wrought by the conflict. The recapture of the Republican Palace is more than just a strategic win; it’s a deeply symbolic moment for Sudan’s military. The palace, immortalized on Sudanese banknotes and postage stamps, has long been a symbol of national pride and governance. Its fall to the RSF in 2023 was a blow to the military’s prestige, and its recapture signa...

  South Sudan’s fragile peace process is teetering on the edge of collapse as the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), a key party in the coalition government, announced its partial withdrawal from the 2018 peace agreement. The decision comes amid escalating tensions between First Vice President Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO, and President Salva Kiir. The two leaders, whose rivalry has plagued South Sudan for years, are once again at odds, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict. The immediate trigger for the SPLM-IO’s withdrawal was the arrest of several high-ranking party officials, including the petroleum minister and the deputy head of the army. These arrests followed clashes in Upper Nile state, where the White Army, an ethnic militia, forced government troops to withdraw from the town of Nasir. The government has accused the SPLM-IO of collaborating with the White Army, a claim the party vehemently denies. Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the SPLM-...

  Germany has announced a major financial commitment to support Syria during its transitional phase, following the ousting of the Assad regime in December. In a significant humanitarian move, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared that Berlin would contribute an additional €300 million ($326 million) to aid Syrians. This pledge highlights Germany’s ongoing dedication to alleviating the suffering caused by years of war and political instability. However, rather than directly funding the newly established interim government, Germany intends to channel the aid through the United Nations and carefully selected organizations. This approach aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective distribution to those in dire need. A substantial portion of this financial assistance will be directed toward providing essential resources such as food, healthcare, and emergency shelters. With millions of Syrians facing extreme hardship due to ongoing conflict and displacement, ...

  The perilous journey of Sudanese refugees through Libya is a harrowing test of survival, where they navigate a landscape of abuse, forced labor, and exploitation. After escaping the horrors of war in Sudan, many find themselves trapped in an unending cycle of violence and suffering. Libya, torn apart by years of conflict, has become a dangerous transit hub, where armed groups, smugglers, and corrupt authorities exploit refugees at every turn. The path to safety resembles a game of ‘snakes and ladders,’ where every step forward can lead to devastating setbacks. Farid, a 17-year-old refugee from Sudan’s North Darfur state, fled after witnessing relentless airstrikes and massacres. He survived two days at sea on an overcrowded boat before being rescued by a German NGO. His journey through Libya was marked by unimaginable hardship. In Kufra, he was forced into labor under inhumane conditions, paid nothing, and threatened with being sold to rival militias. The region, controlled by ar...

  In a move that has sent shockwaves through the region, Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply has officially announced the suspension of all imports from Kenya. This unprecedented decision comes as a direct response to Kenya’s recent hosting of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nairobi last month. The announcement followed a critical Cabinet resolution that aimed to punish Kenya for allegedly facilitating RSF activities, which has only fueled the already tense situation in Sudan. This bold stance highlights the Sudanese government’s growing concerns about its national interests and security. The Sudanese government justified its decision by referencing Cabinet Resolution No. (129) of 2024, backed by the Sovereignty Council’s committee recommendations. These measures were explicitly designed to counter Kenya’s involvement with the RSF group. Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move, accusing Kenya of undermining Sudan’s sovereignty and interfering in its i...

  A violent civil war exploded in Sudan during April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recent disclosures from Turkey confirm its direct involvement in this conflict through the operations of its major defense company Baykar. Evidence indicates that Turkish military equipment delivery programs have multiplied the battling intensity between opposing forces in Sudan despite Turkish claims to take a conciliatory role in Sudan. Evidence supports that Baykar facilitated a secret weapons transaction between its organization and Sudan. A Washington Post article from March 7, 2025 showed how Turkey's dominant defense company Baykar sent $120 million of drone vehicles along with warheads to Sudan's military forces during 2023. Baykar defended the transport of at least eight TB2 drones and 600 warheads through intermediaries to Sudanese military bases throughout the civil war period. Deployment of Bayraktar Drones in Khartoum Turkish manufac...