Somalia begins its January presidency of the UN Security Council, returning to the body after 54 years as it confronts a crowded agenda dominated by Somaliland tensions, the war in Gaza, and Sudan’s deepening humanitarian crisis.

The man accused of recruiting Colombian mercenaries for Sudan’s brutal war has a name, a face, and a global footprint. U.S. sanctions and Colombian investigations point to Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra as a central figure in a network that empowered the RSF — raising new questions about how modern conflicts are outsourced and sustained.

The United Nations has warned that Sudan’s war is entering a more dangerous phase, as intensified fighting, widespread drone strikes, and mounting civilian casualties raise fears of regional destabilization. Briefing the Security Council, senior UN officials cited escalating violence in Kordofan, attacks on civilians and peacekeepers, and a deepening humanitarian crisis as the conflict nears its 1,000th day.

The UN condemned mass killings and hospital attacks in El Fasher after the RSF seized the city, with over 460 civilians reportedly killed. Human Rights Watch verified videos showing RSF fighters executing civilians and urged the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on the group’s leaders.

El Fasher has been under siege for more than 500 days, leaving hundreds of thousands trapped. Families face relentless shelling, famine in displacement camps, and blocked aid convoys. At least 125 civilians have been killed since August 11, many executed, as hunger and fear tighten their grip on the city.

The Egypt–Gulf relationship is shifting from shared vision to strained bargain. While the Gulf demands asset-backed investments and disciplined returns, Egypt seeks financial relief and political breathing room. The trust that once bridged these differences is fading, replaced by transactional terms that risk unraveling in times of crisis.

Diplomatic tensions between Sudan and the UAE escalate at the UN amidst ongoing conflict, highlighting complex international dynamics and hu

UN Security Council demands Rapid Support Forces end siege of El Fasher, Sudan, urging immediate de-escalation and humanitarian aid access.