AGP Executive Report

Ebola Emergency: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 6,186 confirmed cases and 3,007 deaths, with a 48.6% fatality rate, as UN relief chief Tom Fletcher warns the virus is spreading faster than the response and calls for urgent political will, access, and more funding. Vaccines & Health Response: Health authorities say 70,000 doses of Ervebo are being made available, with WHO now limiting Ervebo use for Bundibugyo outbreaks to research protocols while still recommending preventive vaccination for frontline workers in priority areas. Conflict Complicates Containment: UN agencies report fighting in eastern DRC is driving fresh displacement and disrupting surveillance, including attacks in Ituri and clashes in South Kivu that have displaced tens of thousands. Schools Under Strain: Despite fears from parents and teachers in the Ebola epicentre, classes have reopened in Ituri with UNICEF support and hygiene measures like thermometers and sanitizers, though turnout remains low. Aid Push: The UK is nearly tripling its Ebola funding, adding £51.8m to take its total commitment to £78.7m, as a major funding gap for the response remains. Minerals Watch: In M23-held Rubaya, a new lithium mining operation at Kalambairo has begun shipping ore toward the Rwanda border, adding to the region’s high-stakes mineral economy.

Ebola Crisis Escalates: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 6,000 confirmed cases and 2,911 deaths, with the virus spreading to about 60 health zones across six provinces and eastern areas facing mounting access problems amid conflict. School Reopening Under Strain: Despite parents and teachers in Ituri warning of ongoing risks, classes resumed Tuesday; UNICEF says it’s supporting prevention in schools, but some parents kept children home and attendance was low in government-run sites. UK Boosts Funding: The UK says it will nearly triple its Ebola response funding, adding £51.8 million to bring its total commitment to £78.7 million as the outbreak outpaces containment. Health System Readiness: Lagos, Nigeria, meanwhile assessed its Infectious Disease Hospital for surge capacity, citing the expanding DRC outbreak. Regional Diplomacy: Morocco and DR Congo reaffirmed commitments to sovereignty and stronger bilateral ties during talks in Luanda.

Ebola Crisis in Eastern DRC: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 6,000 confirmed cases, with 2,911 deaths reported and 1,366 recoveries, as health teams struggle to keep up with fast spread across six provinces and 60 health zones. Treatment and Recovery Milestone: Five Ebola survivors were discharged in Béni, a rare bright spot as authorities warn the epidemic is still accelerating. School Reopening Pressure: With the school year due to start Sept. 1, student groups are demanding urgent hygiene and sanitation measures to prevent new infections. Response Under Strain: Officials cite insecurity, displacement, health worker strikes, and intense population movement as major hurdles, while WHO continues to flag the situation as out of control. Politics and Dialogue Tensions: President Félix Tshisekedi’s national dialogue plan is being rejected by opposition groups, including the C64 coalition, raising fears of deeper political division as the health emergency worsens. Regional Peace Push: AU leaders meeting in Luanda are calling for stronger conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms, with DRC explicitly named among ongoing hotspots. Security Update: A rebel attack in eastern Congo reportedly killed 21 people, underscoring how violence complicates the Ebola response.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: The DRC has crossed 6,000 confirmed Ebola cases, with 6,041 infections and 2,911 deaths reported as of Aug. 31, as the outbreak keeps expanding across six provinces and 60 health zones. Health Response Under Strain: Authorities say 1,366 people have recovered and 619 patients are in isolation or hospital, but insecurity, displacement, and weak tracking are making containment harder, with the Bundibugyo strain having no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Frontline Vaccination Push: The government has started vaccinating at-risk groups and health workers, while partners including CEPI are backing new vaccine work. Regional Security Fallout: In Ituri, suspected ADF attacks on villages have killed 21 people, with homes, a church, and a hospital reportedly burned—adding to the pressure on already stretched services. Justice and Corruption Case: Belgium’s court has referred the Semlex biometric passport case to the criminal court, alleging bribery, money laundering, and tax fraud tied to DRC passport contracts. Connectivity Update: Starlink’s direct-to-phone service is now being used commercially in the DRC via Airtel, letting compatible phones connect without a satellite dish.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: The death toll from DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has passed 2,800, with 5,945 confirmed cases across six provinces and 60 health zones affected. WHO says the Bundibugyo strain is still evolving and transmission is continuing, while authorities have begun a vaccination push targeting healthcare and frontline workers and stress that community involvement is key to stopping spread. Armed Violence in Ituri: In the same eastern region, suspected ADF rebels killed at least seven civilians in Mambasa (Ituri) and burned about 20 homes, with more people reported missing. Regional Diplomacy: DR Congo’s foreign minister reaffirmed commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity with Morocco during talks in Luanda on the sidelines of an AU peace and security meeting. Cross-Border Trade Deal: Uganda and DR Congo signed an MoU to export Uganda’s Tooke products into the DRC, with North Kivu’s governor and Uganda’s banana industrial development initiative signing on behalf of their sides.

Ebola Emergency in Eastern DRC: The Ebola death toll in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surpassed 2,800, with 5,945 confirmed cases across six provinces and 60 health zones now affected, as WHO warns the Bundibugyo strain is still spreading and evolving fast. Vaccination Push: DRC has launched an Ebola vaccination campaign targeting healthcare and frontline workers, while doctors stress community involvement as the key to stopping transmission. Armed Violence Hits Response: A weekend attack in Ituri’s Mambasa territory killed at least seven civilians and left others missing, with houses burned—another reminder of how insecurity is complicating health work. Regional Diplomacy: President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Luanda for the AU Extraordinary Summit on peace and security, with eastern DRC highlighted among the continent’s urgent conflict hotspots. Sovereignty and Ties: Morocco and the DRC reaffirmed commitments to sovereignty and territorial integrity during talks in Luanda.

Ebola Response: DR Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak is still accelerating, with health authorities reporting 3,973 cases and 1,801 deaths as of Aug 4, while WHO and Africa CDC stress that community trust—not just logistics—must be scaled up to reach the tracing target needed to stop transmission. Health & Schools: The government has suspended academic activities in several public higher education institutions in Goma and Bukavu for 2026-2027 amid the security crisis tied to M23 control, and teachers and families in eastern DRC are already worried about school reopening. Conflict & Politics: A major opposition coalition rejects President Tshisekedi’s national dialogue plan, saying it is not inclusive, while Tshisekedi has ruled out M23 participation. Security Command: General Olivier Gasita has returned to eastern DRC and been appointed head of intelligence for FARDC’s 2nd Defense Zone. Humanitarian Pressure: In Burundi’s Buhumuza province, forced returns from Tanzania are adding strain on an already overburdened area hosting nearly 95,000 Congolese refugees. Transport & Daily Life: Kinshasa’s urban train has resumed after nearly 15 years, offering a cheaper alternative to gridlock—though carriages are packed and conditions remain tough.

Ebola Emergency in Eastern DRC: The Bundibugyo-strain outbreak has surged into two new health zones in North Kivu—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing affected areas to 60, with DRC reporting 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths as the fatality rate in the new zones is higher amid conflict, displacement, and attacks on health workers. Opposition Pushback in Kinshasa: The Article 64 coalition of major opposition parties has rejected President Félix Tshisekedi’s proposed national dialogue, saying it’s meant to entrench his power and bypass constitutional limits, while protests are planned for September 15. Public Health and Travel Pressure: Canada extended Ebola border restrictions for another 30 days, keeping entry bans on people who recently visited the DRC (and other affected countries) in place until September 28. Urban Mobility in Kinshasa: After nearly 15 years, Kinshasa’s sky-blue urban train is back, easing some gridlock but still drawing complaints over overcrowding and lack of air conditioning. Mining Deal Watch: Glencore faces a $1.4 billion lawsuit threat tied to its Congo copper and cobalt operations as it pursues a separate $9 billion deal involving a 40% stake.

Ebola Emergency in Eastern DRC: The deadliest Ebola outbreak on record is accelerating again, with DRC health authorities reporting 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths, and the virus reaching two new health zones in North Kivu—Biena and Manguredjipa—bringing the total to 60 affected areas. Vaccination Push: DRC has started vaccinating front-line workers with Ervebo under a compassionate-use approach, even as experts warn the vaccine was designed for a different Ebola strain and its protection against Bundibugyo remains uncertain. Aid Scaling Up: MSF opened a new treatment centre in Beni to speed care in one of the hardest-hit areas, while the UN chief renewed calls for urgent funding as the response struggles to keep up. School Reopening Fears: Teachers and parents in Ebola-hit provinces say schools reopening on Sept. 1 may be unsafe, with authorities using green/orange/red risk zones and some areas shifting to home-based learning. Kinshasa Transport: After nearly 15 years, Kinshasa’s urban train is back on track, but commuters complain about packed carriages, heat, and short stops. Opposition Politics: Congo’s main opposition coalition C64 rejected Tshisekedi’s national dialogue plan, saying it’s a power move and vowing protests on Sept. 15.

Ebola Response in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo has started vaccinating frontline health workers with the Ervebo shot under a compassionate-use plan in Tshopo province, with about 50,000 doses prioritized for workers and 20,000 earmarked for a clinical trial, as the outbreak keeps accelerating to 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths and spreads into new health zones. Funding Pressure: UN Secretary-General António Guterres renewed an urgent call for $1.1bn more for the response, warning the plan is only 48% funded and resources could run out in weeks. Schools at Risk: With schools due to reopen on Sept. 1, teachers and parents in Ebola-hit eastern provinces say safeguards are not ready, and authorities are using a green/orange/red zoning system to decide between in-person classes and home-based learning. Regional Spillover Fears: Aid groups warn Ebola could cross into South Sudan, where WHO teams are screening travellers at border points. Cross-border Measures: Canada extended Ebola-related entry bans for people from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan for another 30 days, keeping a 21-day quarantine in place. Uganda Update: WHO declared Uganda Ebola-free after 42 days without new cases, but the DRC outbreak remains the focus.

Ebola Emergency: The UN says DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is the fastest-spreading and largest in the country’s history, with 5,656 cases and 2,715 deaths reported, and warns the response could run out of money within weeks unless donors urgently add $1.1bn. Vaccination Drive: Kinshasa has started vaccinating front-line and contact groups in Kisangani, Tshopo, using Ervebo under a compassionate-use framework, with 50,000+ doses arriving and Africa CDC confirming preventive vaccination has begun. Funding Pressure: UN chief Antonio Guterres calls out “indifference” as cases keep rising—while WHO says transmission has slowed but not reversed amid insecurity and weak health access. Human Cost Focus: A DR Congo Ebola incident manager stresses that behind every statistic is a person and a family, as treatment centres brace for more confirmed cases. Education Disruption: With schools due to reopen Sept. 1, eastern provinces are using a green/orange/red risk system, but teachers in Ituri warn classrooms may not be safe enough. Peace and Security: President Tshisekedi rules out M23 participation in a national dialogue, saying the December Washington deal is the proper framework, while Qatar welcomes the first ceasefire verification mission in Minembwe under the Doha process.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: UN chief António Guterres warned the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading faster than containment, with cases and deaths still climbing to about 5,713 confirmed infections and 2,744 deaths, and said current funding could run out in weeks; he appealed for $1.1 billion more to fully fund a $2.1 billion response plan. Vaccines and Trials: The DRC is receiving Merck’s Ervebo doses via the global stockpile, while CEPI is backing an Egypt-based Minapharm candidate with up to $16.5 million to move a Bundibugyo vaccine into early human trials in Africa. Regional Contrast: Uganda declared its Ebola outbreak over after 42 days without new cases, but WHO stressed DRC transmission remains active and the region must stay vigilant. Peace Process in Eastern DRC: Qatar welcomed the first field verification mission under the Doha ceasefire framework in Minembwe, as leaders also discussed regional peace efforts. Mining, Power, and Politics: A solar-plus-battery baseload project at Kamoa-Kakula reached commercial operation, while a new U.S.-backed push aims to secure critical-minerals supply routes, keeping Congo central to global competition.

Ebola Response: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has passed 5,600 cases and is still not bending the curve, even as acceleration slows; it reports about 2,715 deaths and a ~48% fatality rate, warning insecurity, unsafe burials, and population movement are keeping transmission active. Cross-Border Coordination: WHO urged African countries to strengthen regional action, including faster information sharing and cross-border monitoring, stressing no single country can contain the outbreak alone. Uganda Update: WHO confirmed Uganda is Ebola-free after 42 days without a new case, but the agency warned the risk remains high for neighbours as Congo continues to spread. Funding Pressure: WHO experts flagged an urgent $30 million funding gap that could stall containment logistics in DR Congo. Diplomacy: Laos and DR Congo discussed establishing diplomatic relations and cooperation within the Francophonie framework. Health Partnership: DR Congo’s health minister praised China as a priority partner after a handover of emergency support for the Ebola response. Sports: Congolese club Lupopo welcomed Zambian forward Emmanuel Mwiinde with a debut goal in a 3-0 friendly win.

Ebola Emergency: WHO says Uganda’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is over, but in eastern DR Congo transmission is still “very active,” with cases rising to 5,600+ and deaths 2,700+; WHO is pushing a six-month humanitarian truce so health teams can reach isolated communities, while a major $30m funding gap threatens logistics like PPE and testing. Conflict & Access: Aid groups warn the crisis is worsening as misinformation, fear, and attacks on relief workers disrupt response, and DR Congo has ordered a suspension of university activities in M23-controlled areas in Goma and Bukavu. Regional Trade: Uganda and DR Congo held a Business Connect Forum and Expo in Butembo to strengthen cross-border trade links, with dozens of Ugandan firms showcasing agriculture, pharma, construction and dairy. Energy & Mining: A solar-and-battery baseload project has started commercial operations at Kamoa-Kakula near Kolwezi, supplying 30MW of firm renewable power to the copper complex. Governance/Institutions: France announced tighter Mayotte controls and conditional aid tied to migration cooperation, listing DR Congo among affected countries.

Ebola Emergency: Pope Leo XIV urged urgent international action as DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak keeps surging, with reports of deaths passing 2,500 and warnings that the next 100 days could decide whether the crisis is stopped. Health Response Under Strain: Aid groups say misinformation and distrust are complicating care, while polluted waterways and water shortages in affected areas are making prevention harder. Eastern Congo Politics & Rights: Rebel authorities in South Kivu have been accused of banning political coverage and suspending a Bukavu FM programme, drawing condemnation from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Ceasefire Monitoring: A ceasefire verification team backed by MONUSCO has deployed to Minembwe as fighting continues, following a roadmap for peace talks between DR Congo and M23. Mining & Economy: Copper prices climbed again toward record highs as supply pressures persist, while Kamoa Copper ordered more Sandvik trucks and loaders to support operations in the DRC.

Ebola Emergency: Pope Leo XIV urged international action as DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak keeps claiming lives, with WHO updates warning of “very high” risk and new temporary measures on surveillance, case detection, infection control, and community engagement. Eastern DRC Peace Process: A ceasefire verification team has arrived in Minembwe, South Kivu, to monitor alleged violations between the government and M23, as fighting continues and a roadmap for talks follows recent Doha-linked mediation. Rwanda–DRC Tensions: Paul Kagame again blamed the international community for mishandling the eastern DRC crisis and accused Kinshasa of arming and integrating FDLR fighters, while insisting Rwanda must stay involved until root causes are addressed. Travel Restrictions: The US has introduced new boarding rules for travellers linked to DR Congo within 21 days, adding pressure on regional mobility during the outbreak. Health System Strain: Reports highlight misinformation and distrust complicating Ebola response, even as vaccine and preparedness efforts ramp up. Economy & Industry: Kamoa Copper ordered 19 more Sandvik trucks and loaders for its Kamoa-Kakula mine, signaling continued investment in DR Congo’s copper production.