AGP Executive Report

Ebola Emergency in Eastern DRC: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the deadliest in the country’s history, with government figures putting deaths at 2,325 and confirmed cases at 4,945 across six provinces, as WHO warns the fatality rate is nearing 47% and the outbreak could surpass the 2014–16 West Africa disaster if it keeps accelerating. Aid and Trust Crisis: Médecins Sans Frontières says the response needs a major scale-up, while Africa CDC flags “end-to-end financial accountability” as “Ebola business” suspicions and delayed health-worker payments are eroding community cooperation. Treatment Trials Start: WHO says clinical trials for potential Bundibugyo treatments have begun in Ituri, but medicines are unlikely to be available for months as enrolment ramps up. Connectivity Under Pressure: Congo authorities have extended an internet and mobile shutdown in parts of South Kivu’s Fizi territory for more than a month, drawing rights groups’ condemnation. Regional Push at SADC Summit: In Durban, SADC leaders led by President Cyril Ramaphosa urged faster integration and industrialisation, with renewed focus on turning borders into bridges and resources into industries—while also discussing the eastern DRC crisis.

Ebola Crisis Hits Record: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has become the country’s deadliest on record, with official figures putting deaths at 2,325 and confirmed cases at 4,945. The UN says the virus is “winning,” warning it is killing one person every 30 minutes as the outbreak spreads across multiple eastern provinces and response teams struggle with insecurity, delayed detection, and community mistrust. Regional Politics & Security: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the 46th SADC summit in Durban, with the agenda also shaped by eastern DRC’s Ebola and security fallout, alongside migration tensions and instability in the region. Humanitarian Pressure Beyond Ebola: MSF warns that the Ebola focus must not crowd out other urgent health needs in eastern DR Congo, including measles, cholera, and malaria, as conflict continues to disrupt care and vaccination. Other Developments: Airtel Africa announced it is commercially launching Starlink mobile services in DR Congo, extending connectivity to remote areas.

Ebola Crisis: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has become the deadliest in the country’s history, with official figures putting deaths at 2,325 and confirmed cases at 4,945; the case fatality rate is about 47%, and the outbreak—driven by the Bundibugyo strain—has spread across six provinces, with the UN warning “Ebola is winning” and calling for faster, bigger action. Health Access Strain: Fear of infection is keeping pregnant women away from clinics in Ituri, worsening risks for mothers and newborns as routine care collapses alongside the outbreak. Regional Politics in Durban: SADC leaders are meeting in Durban for a summit focused on security, trade, infrastructure and critical minerals, with DRC-related security concerns on the agenda and heightened summit security amid planned anti-immigrant protests. Connectivity Boost: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched a satellite-to-phone service in DR Congo, aiming to extend mobile connectivity to areas without network coverage.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has exploded to 4,665 confirmed cases and 2,184 deaths, with WHO warning it could become the deadliest on record as transmission accelerates across six provinces and 55 health zones, including a newly reported case in Bas-Uélé’s Buta area. Cross-Border Strain: DRC health officials urged Uganda to ease border restrictions, saying closures are pushing people into illegal crossings that make Ebola surveillance harder. Aid and Health Worker Pressure: The International Council of Nurses says frontline nurses in DRC have gone unpaid for months while facing extreme risk, warning the response can’t succeed without pay and protection. Regional Politics in SADC: As South Africa takes over the SADC Council of Ministers chair in Durban, leaders are again sounding alarms over eastern DRC security and pushing for faster regional integration and a regional development fund to back industrialisation. Connectivity Boost: Airtel Africa has commercially launched Starlink Mobile in DRC, extending messaging and limited data to areas without conventional coverage—aimed at helping remote communities, health workers and logistics.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is worsening fast, now spread to a sixth province with confirmed cases rising to 4,727 and deaths to 2,214, as health authorities warn that community transmission and contact-tracing gaps could prolong the crisis. UN Push for Faster Response: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher says Ebola is killing one person every 30 minutes and calls for speed, scale and solidarity, including more safe burials, more treatment capacity and stronger tracing, alongside fresh UN funding. Frontline Nurses Under Strain: The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has urged the DRC health minister to urgently pay and protect nurses and health workers, saying many have gone unpaid for months while facing serious risks. Connectivity Boost in Remote Areas: Airtel Africa has commercially launched Starlink Mobile in the DRC, letting compatible smartphones connect directly to satellites for basic services like SMS and WhatsApp in areas without conventional coverage. Peace Process Watch: DRC and Rwanda agreed to strengthen monitoring and verification of the Washington Accords after a Geneva meeting, with further planning set for October.

Ebola Emergency: DR Congo’s fast-spreading Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,727 confirmed cases and 2,214 deaths, with the virus now reported in a sixth province after a new case in Buta (Bas-Uele). UN officials warn the epidemic is killing one person every 30 minutes and say the response must rapidly scale up. Peace Monitoring: DR Congo and Rwanda agreed to strengthen monitoring and verification under the Washington Accords, including two new initiatives and a trilateral planning conference in October, following the sixth Joint Security Coordination Mechanism meeting in Geneva. Connectivity Boost: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched satellite-to-phone service in the DRC, extending mobile coverage to areas without terrestrial networks. Health Infrastructure: Tanzania’s Ocean Road Cancer Institute-backed project in Mbeya: the government has released over Sh11 billion for a Southern Highlands Cancer Centre at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, aiming to make specialised oncology care more accessible. Regional Context: Africa CDC urged immediate rollout of the Ervebo vaccine as community transmission and contact-tracing gaps threaten to prolong the outbreak.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: The Ebola outbreak has spread to a sixth province, with confirmed cases now at 4,727 and deaths at 2,214, as Buta in Bas-Uele becomes newly affected; officials warn persistent community transmission and contact-tracing gaps could keep the epidemic growing. UN Alarm: UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher says the outbreak is killing someone every 30 minutes and that donors have pledged nearly $300m, with an extra $30.5m just allocated to speed up burials and treatment. Healthcare Under Pressure: WHO reports attacks on healthcare in conflict zones are averaging more than four a day in 2026, with incidents also recorded in the DRC—raising fears for already strained response capacity. Aid and Workers: The International Council of Nurses urges DRC authorities to pay Ebola frontline staff who have reportedly gone unpaid for months and to improve protection. Connectivity Boost: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched satellite-to-mobile service in the DRC, extending messaging and light data to areas without conventional coverage.

Ebola Escalation: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 4,665 confirmed cases and 2,184 deaths, with the virus now confirmed in a sixth province—Bas-Uele—after a fatal case in Buta, raising fears of wider spread amid conflict and delayed detection. Frontline Response: WHO and Africa CDC warn the Bundibugyo strain is outpacing containment, with no licensed vaccine yet for this variant; Africa CDC says Ervebo deployment is a “big step” and urges immediate rollout support. Healthcare Under Fire: WHO says attacks on healthcare in conflict zones averaged more than four per day in 2026, with over 10,000 attacks recorded since 2018 and no one held accountable—DRC included. Community Measures: In Mongbwalu, residents report increased handwashing, screening at checkpoints, and safer funeral practices as local awareness grows. Aid System Pressure: A separate report highlights how shrinking global humanitarian funding is worsening crises like Ebola. Connectivity Boost: Airtel Africa and Starlink launched satellite-to-mobile service commercially in DR Congo, extending messaging and light-data access in areas without coverage. Regional Security Talks: DRC and Rwanda met in Geneva under a joint security mechanism, agreeing on monitoring and verification steps for Washington Accords implementation.

Ebola Crisis Escalates: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has spread to a sixth province after a fatal case was confirmed in Bas-Uele, raising fears of wider transmission and spillover risk toward South Sudan; authorities say the motorcycle-taxi driver traveled from Haut-Uele, visited multiple health facilities, and contact tracing is underway. WHO Warning: The WHO says the outbreak is on track to eclipse the deadliest in history, with cases and deaths rising fast and the virus “ahead of us,” as health teams struggle to scale up. Response Strain: In Ituri, the epicenter, a treatment center in Nizi was temporarily shut after a strike over unpaid wages, threatening continuity of care. Human Cost Beyond Ebola: UN-backed reporting warns the crisis is also driving up maternal deaths as pregnant women avoid hospitals and routine services collapse. Community Rights: In South Kivu, Indigenous communities are pushing back on mining expansion, reclaiming land rights and demanding Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

Ebola Emergency: WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak is on track to eclipse the 2014–2016 disaster, with more than 2,000 deaths from over 4,300 cases and warnings it began months earlier than the May 15 declaration. New Province Spread: Africa CDC director Jean Kaseya reports a death in Bas-Uele, the sixth province affected, raising fears of wider transmission as health teams struggle to keep up. Why It’s Hard to Stop: Reports highlight gaps in safe water and sanitation in Ituri’s Mongbwalu, where residents walk for water and markets lack handwashing stations—conditions that fuel spread. Transmission Mystery: A Nature Medicine study points to a fresh animal-to-human jump rather than links to earlier strains, while WHO continues pushing vaccine trial plans for the rare Bundibugyo virus. Cross-Border Pressure: The U.S. temporarily restricts travel from DR Congo for people who were there within 21 days, as neighboring regions also report cases. Also in the Region: UNICEF warns cholera is accelerating across six West and Central African countries, including DR Congo, as flooding and displacement worsen risks for children.

Ebola Emergency: WHO chief Tedros warned Congo’s Ebola outbreak is on track to surpass the deadliest in history, potentially eclipsing the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic, with 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths and most deaths in Ituri; WHO says the outbreak has had a “big head start,” with many fatalities occurring in communities outside treatment centres and known contact lists, while response teams aim to raise contact tracing and treatment capacity and hope to turn the tide within three months. Vaccine Push: Talks are advancing on a Phase 3 clinical trial for the Ervebo vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain, and the DRC has submitted an emergency request to use stockpiled doses, even though the vaccine was originally designed for a different Ebola type. Cross-Border Pressure: Kenyan truckers are grounding cargo routes to eastern DRC after killings of drivers along the Beni–Kisangani corridor, threatening Northern Corridor trade flows. Justice Delays: In Zambia, lawyers say former Copperbelt police boss Mwala Yuyi has remained in custody for two weeks after arrest over alleged copper cathode theft, with claims he has not been taken to court. Sports Scandal: A FIFA ban for 20 years over sexual abuse has not stopped a DR Congo coach from reportedly training young players, according to new reporting.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo is on track to eclipse the 2014-16 West Africa epidemic, with confirmed cases rising to about 4,449 and deaths to 2,061 as transmission accelerates across five provinces. Vaccine Shift: WHO has reversed course and is now backing a clinical trial that could use Ervebo, the world’s only licensed Ebola vaccine, after earlier doubts about cross-protection. Frontline Strain: Health workers in Ituri report heavier workloads and stretched treatment capacity as suspected cases rise and contact tracing expands. New Clues on Origin: A study suggests the outbreak may have started with a fresh animal-to-human spillover, with the strain genetically distinct from earlier Bundibugyo outbreaks. Local Impact: In Bunia, markets and transport are shrinking as fear of infection keeps customers away. Regional Response: Africa CDC and WHO urge faster, community-led action, including village-level efforts, while Kenya boosts Ebola readiness to nearly 90% despite no cases. Economy & Policy: DR Congo’s copper-cobalt concentrate export ban is expected to have limited global market impact but may add short-term price risk as details are clarified. Diplomacy: UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed spoke with President Tshisekedi about strengthening cooperation under CEPA, including humanitarian and medical support.

Ebola Emergency in Eastern DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo says confirmed Ebola deaths have surged past 2,000, reaching 2,061 deaths out of 4,449 cases across five provinces, with the outbreak described as the fastest-growing on record and still accelerating. Why It’s Spreading: Reports point to delayed detection, conflict, and strained health services, while new genetic work suggests the current Bundibugyo strain likely began with a fresh animal-to-human spillover rather than a continuation of earlier outbreaks. Response Under Strain: WHO is expanding treatment capacity, including doubling a facility in Lita, as aid groups warn the crisis is outpacing tracking and containment. Travel Pressure: The US has issued its highest travel warning, urging Americans to avoid Ituri and North Kivu and to reconsider travel to other affected provinces. Peace Process Move: Separately, DRC and M23 began implementing the Doha peace deal by exchanging 15 prisoners, facilitated by the ICRC, in a first step toward further releases.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has killed 2,011 people out of 4,381 confirmed cases, with transmission active in five provinces and officials warning the outbreak is still accelerating. Why It’s Spreading Faster: Health workers cite delayed detection, insecurity, strained services, and shortages that make contact tracing and isolation harder—while fear of infection is also pushing more women to give birth without care. New Clues on the Virus: Scientists say the strain is genetically distinct from past Bundibugyo outbreaks, pointing to a fresh animal-to-human spillover rather than a re-run of an older human chain. Frontline Pressure: Reports from Mongbwalu show hospitals expanding treatment capacity while staff juggle care and monitoring under heavy workload. Aid and Preparedness: The US pledged $242m to boost regional Ebola response and preparedness, including support for Kenya’s screening and health systems. Politics at Home: Civil society groups are urging President Félix Tshisekedi to abandon plans for a constitutional referendum amid war, displacement, and economic strain.

Ebola Emergency: WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak began in February—months before it was officially declared in mid-May—after genetic sequencing showed early cases were misdiagnosed as malaria or typhoid; confirmed cases have now reached about 4,200 with nearly 2,000 deaths, and WHO warns the virus is “outpacing our response” as contact tracing lags and many patients reach care too late. Vaccine Push: WHO recommends prioritising the Ervebo vaccine for a randomised clinical trial against Bundibugyo Ebola, citing preliminary cross-protection data, as the outbreak continues to spread across multiple provinces. Community Reality Check: Reporting from Mongbwalu says the outbreak likely started in the mining area, with insecurity, weak infrastructure, and attacks on health facilities discouraging people from seeking treatment early. Uranium-Cobalt Fallout: Kinshasa has launched an investigation into claims of undeclared uranium inside cobalt exports bound for China, setting up tests and a working group after a Nature Communications study raised serious nuclear accounting concerns. Trade & Logistics: Dar es Salaam port transit cargo rose 17% in 2025/26, with DRC-bound shipments up 30%—highlighting the growing importance of the DRC trade corridor. Sports Spotlight: Paul Gitau says his Kenya volleyball experience could help the DR Congo women’s team challenge for a first continental title in Nairobi.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: WHO says the current Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak likely started in February—months before the May 15 declaration—while confirmed cases have climbed to about 4,200 with nearly 1,900 deaths, as insecurity, unpaid health workers, and community mistrust keep the response behind the virus. Health Response Updates: WHO and Africa CDC stress faster, community-led action; meanwhile, a quarantined boat near Kinshasa tested negative for Ebola, easing fears of spread to the capital. Vaccine Push: WHO experts back a Phase III trial of the Ervebo vaccine, aiming to test whether it can protect against the Bundibugyo strain. Critical Minerals Tension: Kinshasa responded to uranium-in-cobalt shipment claims but carefully avoided naming China, even as DRC’s copper and cobalt concentrate export ban continues to roil global markets. Justice and Crime: A Congolese man was indicted in the US for a business email fraud scheme. Local Life: Kinshasa’s To Skater Festival is spotlighting skateboarding and urban culture for a new generation.