Issued on: 15/02/2026 - 14:39

Sudan’s civil war has emerged as the most pressing issue at the African Union summit. After nearly three years of fighting, tens of thousands of people have been killed and more than 11 million forced from their homes, prompting the United Nations to describe the situation as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Despite this, a clear path to resolution remains elusive, and diplomats warn that the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates continues to overshadow the conflict while also fuelling wider regional tensions, including in Libya and between Eritrea and Ethiopia, the host nation where the summit opened on Saturday. Africa Director at European Council on Foreign Relations, Alex Vines, explains.

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