AGP Executive Report

Global Conflict Pulse: A new PRIO study says state-based armed conflicts hit 65 in 2025—the highest since WWII—driven by Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, with about 245,000 battle deaths. Civilian Harm Watch: Explosive Weapons Monitor reports more than 22,600 civilians were killed by explosive weapons in 2025 across 65 countries; Israel’s forces accounted for 56% of those deaths, and harm to humanitarian aid rose 52%. Sudan Accountability: Human Rights Watch urges Sudan’s army to hold RSF defectors accountable for international crimes, stressing justice should follow commanders even after switching sides. Health & Research: Three Geneva health groups (DNDi, MMV, GARDP) plan tighter collaboration to speed treatments for malaria and neglected diseases amid shrinking aid. Ebola Science: A study using brain organoids finds Ebola can persist “productively” in human brain tissue for months, fueling chronic inflammation—important for future therapies. Sudan in the Tech/Policy Spotlight: UK unrest in Belfast after a Sudanese suspect was charged with attempted beheading has reignited debate over online amplification and misinformation, with lawmakers pushing for stronger platform action.

Global Conflict Pulse: PRIO reports 65 state-based armed conflicts in 2025—the highest since WWII—driven by Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, with about 245,000 battle deaths. Civilian Harm Watch: An Explosive Weapons Monitor report says explosive weapons killed 22,600 civilians in 65 countries in 2025, with 56% of deaths tied to Israeli forces and “normalisation” of civilian harm rising. Ebola Research: A new study using brain organoids finds Ebola can persist in the human central nervous system via “productive persistence,” continuously replicating and fueling chronic inflammation for months. Health & Innovation: Three Geneva health groups (DNDi, MMV, GARDP) plan closer R&D collaboration on malaria and neglected diseases as aid cuts and conflict strain delivery. Sudan Tech Angle (Policy/Systems): UN-backed human rights initiatives launch new digital and education programs, including RightsX on digital innovation and a human rights classroom rollout. Sudan-linked Tech & Mobility: Belfast unrest after a Sudanese suspect’s case highlights how cross-border movement and online amplification can rapidly escalate real-world violence.

Online Safety & Misinformation: The UK plans faster takedowns of illegal content during “times of crisis” after Belfast unrest was fueled by viral footage tied to a Sudanese suspect, while regulators face pressure over how quickly platforms act. Public Health: A new measles “backup plan” debate is growing as vaccination rates slip and there are still no antiviral treatments for measles. Ebola Watch: Coverage highlights the return of Ebola fears in Africa, with renewed scrutiny of quarantine and travel restrictions. Conflict Impact: An Explosive Weapons Monitor report says explosive weapons killed over 22,600 civilians in 65 countries in 2025, with Israel responsible for more than half of those deaths, and warns of worsening harm to civilian infrastructure. Sudan Tech Angle: Cabinet reshuffles in Nepal include a new Science, Technology and Innovation minister, while Sudan-linked displacement and conflict reporting continues to dominate regional tech-and-society discussions. Space & AI Markets: SpaceX set its IPO price at $135, starting trading at a $1.77T valuation—another major test for AI-era public markets.

Belfast Unrest & Online Incitement: Anti-immigrant riots in Northern Ireland erupted after a knife attack in which a Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, was charged with attempted murder; police arrested 16 people on the second night, with 12 officers injured, and water cannon used as masked protesters targeted asylum-seeker housing and ethnic-minority communities. Social Media Regulation: The UK government is preparing faster crisis-response rules under the Online Safety Act, while Ofcom’s enforcement against X is delayed pending compliance reporting. Sudan Link in the Spotlight: Reports say Alodid previously served in Khartoum police, adding fuel to immigration debates. Displacement Pressure: A World Refugee Day appeal highlights that forced displacement fell to 117.8 million in 2025, but returns are often to fragile conditions, including Sudan. Human Rights Tech Push: UN rights chief Volker Türk launched a global alliance and plans initiatives like a digital innovation summit and rights education programs. Regional Tech/Science Note: IIT Madras awarded MTech and other postgraduate degrees to 46 international students, including Sudanese graduates.

Belfast Unrest After Knife Attack: The family of Stephen Ogilvie, who lost an eye in a stabbing, urged calm after two nights of anti-immigrant violence in Northern Ireland. Masked rioters burned homes and vehicles and clashed with police using water cannon, while UK and local leaders condemned the attacks as “racist thuggery.” Court Case Tied to Sudan: A 30-year-old Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, appeared in court charged with attempted murder after the attack; police say there’s no indication it was terror-related. Online Incitement Scrutiny: Regulators and politicians pointed to social media as a driver of the unrest, with Ofcom contacting major platforms over duties under the Online Safety Act. AI Payments Push: Visa is embedding its payment network into ChatGPT so AI can shop and complete transactions at Visa merchants, raising concerns about overspending and safeguards. Agritech for Sudan-Relevant Food Security: Korea’s Africa rice program moves to drought- and salinity-tolerant seed development for rain-fed regions, partnering with AfricaRice to speed breeding and germination.

Sudan-linked unrest and tech-fuel debate: A Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, was charged with attempted murder after a Belfast knife attack that left victim Stephen Ogilvie with serious injuries, including loss of an eye. The case triggered anti-immigrant riots across Northern Ireland, with masked protesters burning homes and vehicles and targeting ethnic minorities, while UK leaders—including Prime Minister Keir Starmer—vowed crackdowns on those “fuelling” division online. Platform accountability: UK regulator Ofcom warned social platforms they must act under the Online Safety Act, as lawmakers and officials pointed to social media’s role in spreading inflammatory content during the Belfast unrest. AI and payments: Visa is embedding its payment network into ChatGPT so AI agents can shop and complete transactions for users, raising questions about spending controls. Sudan economy signal: Reports say Ethiopian Airlines’ Port Sudan office stopped taking Sudanese pounds for tickets, pushing travelers to pay in dollars as the pound slides past 4,000 per dollar. Global conflict pressure: A new study says 2025 hit record levels of state-based armed conflicts since WWII, with Sudan cited for major civilian harm.

Belfast Unrest Linked to Sudanese Refugee: A 30-year-old Sudanese man appeared in Belfast Magistrates’ Court charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed weapon, and threats to kill after a knife attack that left victim Stephen Ogilvie with catastrophic injuries, including loss of an eye. Online Incitement Debate: UK officials and Labour chair Anna Turley accused social media—especially X—of inflaming tensions, pointing to Elon Musk’s posts encouraging protests and sharing protest-location lists. Violence on the Streets: Anti-immigration demonstrations turned violent in Belfast, with masked protesters torching vehicles and buildings, blocking roads, and forcing evacuations; police helicopters and heavy patrols followed. Sudan Accountability Angle: Human Rights Watch urged Sudan’s army to hold defected RSF commanders to account for crimes, citing commanders who joined SAF after alleged atrocities in Darfur. Global Conflict Data with Sudan at the Center: A new study reported record global conflict levels in 2025, highlighting Sudan’s civilian killings as a major driver of the spike. Nepal Tech Leadership Note: Nepal reappointed Sudan Gurung as Home Minister and named Mahabir Pun as Science, Technology and Innovation minister—relevant for regional STEM policy watchers.

Sudan’s War and Civilian Harm: A new PRIO “Conflict Trends” report says 2025 hit the highest number of state conflicts since WWII and warns of a sharp rise in attacks on civilians, pointing to Sudan—especially the El-Fasher massacre—as a major driver of the spike. Darfur Civilian Impact: A Darfur victims group reports at least 470 deaths and 187 injuries from air strikes and drone attacks between March 2024 and January 2026, citing heavy use of foreign-made drones and escalating attacks on residential areas. Tech, Drones, and the Battlefield: Coverage on Sudan’s drone war highlights how unmanned aircraft are becoming deadlier tools against civilians, reshaping tactics and increasing pressure on urban life. Science Policy (Sudan-linked): Nepal reappointed Sudan Gurung as Home Minister and named Mahabir Pun as Science, Technology and Innovation Minister—an example of how governance is being reshaped around tech and research priorities. Mining and Security Tech Angle: Egypt’s crackdown on illegal gold extraction in the Eastern Desert spotlights the challenge of separating organized artisanal mining from criminal operations—an issue tied to conflict, livelihoods, and enforcement capacity.

Conflict & Civilians: A Norwegian study reports 65 state-linked conflicts in 2025—the most since WWII—and a sharp jump in attacks on civilians, with Sudan’s El-Fasher siege in Darfur cited as a major driver of the death toll. Drone Warfare in Sudan: A separate report says drone strikes are now a leading cause of civilian deaths in Sudan, with UN-linked figures attributing most conflict-related civilian deaths in early 2026 to unmanned attacks, especially in Darfur and Kordofan. Ebola Update (DRC/Uganda): Eastern Mediterranean University’s Faculty of Health Sciences issued an assessment of the current Ebola outbreak, identifying Bundibugyo ebolavirus and noting the lack of an approved vaccine or targeted treatment as key hurdles. Ebola Vaccine R&D: Soligenix says CEPI has opened a call for Bundibugyo virus vaccine proposals, building on thermostable filovirus vaccine work. Food Security & Fertilizer: FAO warns that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a fertilizer shock, urging open trade in agricultural inputs and more efficient fertilizer use. Sudan Peace Track: A new Sudan peace roadmap announced in Nairobi proposes a monitored ceasefire and political transition focused on state reform, while seeking to exclude key Islamist leaders from politics and security reform.

Sudan Higher Education: Sudan’s Ministry of Higher Education ordered universities to return to their original licensed campuses by August 1, 2026 or lose intake rights for 2026–2027, aiming to restore academic standards after war-driven relocations and lab/library losses. Sudan Peace Talks: A new Nairobi roadmap for ending Sudan’s war proposes a three-track process—humanitarian steps, a renewable internationally monitored ceasefire, and a political transition tied to state reform—while seeking to exclude key Islamist leaders and bar the SAF and RSF from the political process. Agrifood Tech & Trade: FAO warned that disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a fertilizer and production shock, urging countries to keep trade open on agricultural inputs and use fertilizer more efficiently. Ebola Vaccine Pipeline: CEPI opened a call for proposals for a Bundibugyo virus vaccine, with Soligenix pointing to thermostable protein-based vaccine work as a base for rapid development. Ancient Sudan Research: Satellite scans uncovered 260 circular enclosure-burial sites across Eastern Sudan, pointing to a large nomadic elite building major grave monuments thousands of years ago. Ebola Monitoring Update (India): Hyderabad’s suspected Ebola cases were cleared after negative tests, with labs including CCMB and NIV Pune confirming results.

Sudan Peace Talks: A new Sudan peace roadmap was unveiled in Nairobi, aiming to restart the stalled transition to civilian rule with a three-track plan: humanitarian steps, a renewable internationally monitored ceasefire, and a political transition focused on state reform—while pushing to exclude the SAF and RSF from the political process and bar Islamist leaders tied to the former National Congress Party from security-sector reform. Higher Education Policy: Sudan’s Ministry of Higher Education ordered universities to return to their original licensed campuses by August 1, 2026 or lose intake rights for 2026–2027, ending alternative learning sites and online/temporary operations. Health & Research: In the wider region, Ebola response news continues: Hyderabad’s Gandhi Hospital reported a second suspected case tested negative, while global efforts highlight faster vaccine and treatment development for future outbreaks. Tech/Science Discovery: Satellite scans in Eastern Sudan identified 260 previously unknown ancient cemetery sites, revealing large planned grave monuments built by desert nomads thousands of years ago.

Sudan Higher Education: Sudan’s Ministry of Higher Education ordered all universities to return to their original licensed campuses by August 1, 2026 or lose intake rights, aiming to normalize teaching after war-driven closures and relocations. Sudan War Tech: Reports say Sudan’s conflict is becoming a “live laboratory” for autonomous drones and AI surveillance, highlighting governance gaps around how new tech is used in wartime. Sudan Food & Farming: The African Development Bank and WFP launched an $87m BOOST project to strengthen agrifood resilience in Sudan, targeting farmers in Sennar and Blue Nile to cut losses and restore production. Sudan Archaeology & Satellites: Satellite scans uncovered 260 circular mass grave sites across nearly 1,000 km in Eastern Sudan, pointing to a 6,000-year-old nomadic elite. Ebola Response: Uganda pushed back on sensational Ebola claims, while India’s Gandhi Hospital reported a second suspected case tested negative, keeping both patients under observation. Ebola Countermeasures: CEPI and partners are fast-tracking Ebola vaccine candidates, including mRNA approaches, as scientists prepare for future outbreaks. Solar Science: A 2026 eclipse story is linked to predictions for a longer total solar eclipse in 2027, with visibility across parts of Sudan.

Sudan Higher Education: Sudan’s Ministry of Higher Education ordered universities to return to their original licensed campuses by August 1, 2026 or lose intake rights for 2026–2027, aiming to normalize teaching after war-driven relocations and lab/library losses. Ebola Watch: In India, both suspected Ebola patients at Hyderabad’s Gandhi Hospital tested negative, easing immediate fears while authorities keep strict safety protocols. Food Systems & Agriculture: The African Development Bank and WFP launched an $87m BOOST project to strengthen Sudan’s agrifood resilience, backing farmers in Sennar and Blue Nile to cut losses and restore production amid hunger. Health Tech R&D (Ebola): CEPI fast-tracked three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates (IAVI, Moderna, Oxford) for the DRC/Uganda outbreak, as no licensed vaccines exist. Conflict & Security: Sudan’s army said it welcomed RSF defectors as a “strategic victory,” a move that could also deepen divisions inside armed ranks.

Higher Education Policy: Sudan’s Ministry of Higher Education orders universities to return to their original licensed campuses by August 1, 2026, or lose intake rights for the 2026–2027 academic year, aiming to normalize teaching after war-driven relocations and lab/library losses. Public Health & Research: WHO-backed work on the current Ebola outbreak in Congo highlights a new push for prevention trials, including a 10-day pill post-exposure approach, while CEPI fast-tracks three Bundibugyo virus vaccine candidates (IAVI, Moderna, Oxford) to speed up options where no licensed vaccines exist. Archaeology & Remote Sensing: Satellite scans across Eastern Sudan uncovered 260 circular “enclosure burials” spanning nearly 1,000 km, pointing to a 4,000–3,000 BCE nomadic elite with large, planned grave monuments and arranged human and cattle remains. Agriculture & Food Systems: The AfDB and WFP launch the USD 87m BOOST project to strengthen agrifood resilience in Sennar and Blue Nile, targeting farmers’ yields, post-harvest losses, and market linkages amid hunger affecting over 19 million people. Security & Technology in Conflict: Reports describe Sudan’s war as a “live laboratory” for autonomous drones and AI surveillance, raising concerns about governance gaps and how new tech is being deployed. Conflict Dynamics: Sudan’s army says it has welcomed RSF defectors, a move that may shift battlefield balance but could also deepen divisions inside armed ranks.

Higher Education Policy: Sudan’s Ministry of Higher Education ordered universities to return to their original licensed campuses by August 1, 2026, or lose the right to admit students for the 2026–2027 academic year, halting off-campus and temporary learning sites tied to the war. Public Health & Vaccines: CEPI fast-tracked three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates (from IAVI, Moderna, and Oxford) for the DRC/Uganda outbreak, as WHO and partners push for faster trials and preparedness. Ebola Response Research: WHO also recommended a new 10-day pill trial for post-exposure prevention using obeldesivir, aiming to slow spread when vaccines aren’t yet available for the specific variant. Agrifood Resilience in Sudan: The African Development Bank and WFP launched an $87m BOOST project to strengthen Sudan’s food systems, cut post-harvest losses, and support farmers in Sennar and Blue Nile. AI & Infrastructure: A commentary warns Africa’s AI plans may stall without reliable electricity and water for data centres, stressing the need for implementation-ready policy.

Ebola R&D Surge: CEPI is fast-tracking three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates (from IAVI, Moderna, and Oxford, with Serum Institute of India set to manufacture Oxford’s) as the DRC outbreak grows, while WHO also recommends new preventive options including a trial of a 10-day exposed-people pill strategy. Ebola Treatment Access: In the current outbreak, the U.S. confirmed high-risk exposed Americans can access an experimental antibody therapy (MBP-134), highlighting how fast countermeasures are moving from labs toward real-world use. Sudan Food Tech & Resilience: The African Development Bank and WFP launched an $87m BOOST project to strengthen Sudan’s agrifood systems, restore farm production, cut post-harvest losses, and boost incomes in Sennar and Blue Nile. AI Power Reality Check: A new discussion warns African AI plans can’t ignore electricity and water demands for data centers—policy talk needs infrastructure planning. Education in Sudan: Sudan’s 2025/26 eighth-grade national exam began June 3–5 across hundreds of centers, including special-needs and Kassala locations.