AGP Executive Report

Ebola Update (DRC): The DRC says Ebola is now in five provinces—Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele and Tshopo—with the national tally rising to 1,873 confirmed cases and 672 deaths. The health ministry reports 763 patients in isolation or treatment, 306 recoveries, and 299 suspected cases; Haut-Uele and Tshopo are newly listed, linked to the Ituri epicentre through contacts and population movement. Ebola Response Under Strain: Separate reporting highlights how AFC/M23 rebels in eastern Congo ran a largely parallel Ebola response in areas they control, raising concerns that fragmented control could make containment harder if the outbreak spreads. Humanitarian Workers Hit: The CDC also confirmed a U.S. humanitarian worker in Congo tested positive for Ebola, with contact tracing and exposure-risk checks underway—adding pressure on already stretched frontline protection.

Ebola Crisis in Eastern DRC: WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak may be far bigger than official counts, with 70–80% of new cases in Bunia coming from outside known contact lists, while deaths have climbed to about 600 and confirmed cases near 1,800 as response workers struggle with low trust, strikes over unpaid pay, and delays in data sharing. New Treatments and Trials: DRC has started enrolling patients in urgent experimental treatment trials, testing options including remdesivir and MBP134, as communities in Bunia wait for results and scientists race to find what works. Protecting Responders: Africa CDC and WHO are pushing stronger protection for health workers after a U.S. humanitarian worker tested positive in Ituri, prompting contact tracing and renewed debate over safety and preparedness. International Push: Africa CDC and WHO chiefs plan a mission to Bunia to speed coordination, diagnosis, contact tracing, and isolation capacity. Justice in Katanga: Katanga lawyers filed an ICC complaint accusing President Félix Tshisekedi and officials of crimes against humanity, including alleged massacres and the abduction of a pastor from Zambia.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has now surpassed 1,800 confirmed cases after spreading to a fourth province, with official figures putting deaths at 648 and most infections concentrated in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. WHO vs. Official Counts: WHO officials say the outbreak is likely far larger than reported, warning that many new infections can’t be linked to known cases and that movement and insecurity are fueling spread. U.S. Cases Raise Alarm: A second American humanitarian worker has tested positive for the rare Bundibugyo strain and will be evacuated for treatment, adding pressure as the U.S. expands screening and contact-tracing support. Response Under Strain: Health workers have protested over unpaid wages, and UN agencies warn the crisis is worsening humanitarian conditions. ICC Move Against Tshisekedi: Katanga lawyers have filed criminal charges at the ICC accusing President Félix Tshisekedi of crimes against humanity, including massacres and the abduction of a pastor from Zambia. Humanitarian Funding Gap: WFP warns it may have to pause food aid in eastern DRC by early 2026 without urgent new funding.

Ebola Surge in DRC: Congo’s Ebola outbreak has jumped past 1,800 confirmed cases, reaching 1,830 with 648 deaths, after spreading to a fourth province, Haut-Uele, officials say. Cross-Border Alarm: The UN warns conflict and mass movement are accelerating spread, while Uganda has reported 20 cases. International Push: Africa CDC and WHO chiefs plan a joint visit to Bunia on July 18–19 to speed up detection, contact tracing, treatment, and isolation. New Imported Risk: The U.S. CDC says a U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian group in Congo has tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain; authorities are tracing close contacts. Response Strain: Health workers and response teams have protested delayed pay, adding pressure to an already stretched system. Culture & Identity: In Mbanza Kongo, researchers defended documentation plans for the Mbanza Kongo Historical Centre as part of UNESCO World Heritage celebrations.

Ebola in DRC: Congo’s health ministry says the Bundibugyo Ebola death toll has climbed to 600 and 1,759 confirmed cases, with suspected infections reported in Tshopo and Haut-Uele—including a case in Kisangani—raising fears the outbreak is moving beyond its original Ituri epicenter. Frontline pay crisis: Outbreak response workers in Bunia and Rwampara have struck over unpaid wages, disrupting contact tracing, safe burials, and other core containment work. WHO on spread: A WHO official warns most new patients have no known link to existing cases in the hardest-hit areas, suggesting the real scale could be much larger. New tools on the way: WHO says four vaccine candidates for the Bundibugyo strain could be available in about three months, but urges communities to keep prevention measures in place. Cross-border concern: UNICEF warns the wider humanitarian crisis is worsening as health services and trust break down. US case: The US CDC reports a US citizen in Congo tested positive for Bundibugyo Ebola and that high-risk contacts are being identified.

Ebola Crisis in Eastern DRC: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is still “very active” and has not peaked, with DRC reporting 625 deaths and 1,792 confirmed cases as it spreads into a fourth province (Tshopo/Kisangani); WHO warns that 4 in 5 new cases are not linked to known contacts, meaning the real outbreak could be 2 to 4 times larger than official figures. Health System Strain: Africa CDC says the virus is moving faster than the response, urging donors to fast-track funding and surge staffing, while reports highlight mounting pressure on hospitals and the need to adapt treatment and containment as cases rise. New Response Moves: DRC has expanded the state of emergency to additional areas, and health authorities are intensifying surveillance and contact coverage, even as undetected community transmission fuels new chains of spread. Regional Politics: Opposition leaders in Kinshasa are calling for action against President Tshisekedi’s push for constitutional change, with major protests planned for July 22.

Ebola Crisis in Eastern DRC: Congo’s Ebola outbreak is still “very active” and has not peaked, with the death toll hitting 600 and confirmed infections rising to 1,759. Spread to New Areas: Health authorities report suspected cases in Kisangani (Tshopo) and Haut-Uele, including one linked to Ituri’s Nia-Nia health zone, raising fears of hidden transmission chains. Response Under Strain: WHO and Africa CDC warn the outbreak is the fastest growing ever, with cases rising faster than resources; UN relief chief Tom Fletcher urges faster action as conflict and population movement keep transmission risk high. Community Resistance and Attacks: Reports say protesters have burned treatment centers and attacked health workers to retrieve bodies, while misinformation is fueling violence. Eastern DRC Security: UN human rights chief Volker Türk deplored renewed clashes in South Kivu, calling for an immediate de-escalation and an end to explosive weapons in populated areas.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the “fastest growing ever,” with the WHO reporting 600 deaths and 1,759 confirmed cases. New Spread Beyond Epicenter: Congo’s health ministry says suspected cases have surfaced in provinces previously unaffected, including Tshopo (Kisangani) and Haut-Uele, as the outbreak continues to expand. Response Under Strain: Health workers in Ituri have protested and threatened strikes over delayed pay, while officials warn the virus is still ahead of the response and that the peak is not yet in sight. Eastern Congo Security Pressure: UN human rights chief Volker Türk urged an immediate end to fighting between DRC forces and M23 in South Kivu, saying explosive weapons in populated areas are devastating civilians and livelihoods. Political Tensions Over Constitution: Opposition coalition C64 postponed protests after AU mediation, but leaders are still calling for President Félix Tshisekedi to resign over plans that could enable a third term.

Ebola Crisis in Eastern DRC: The WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is still in an expansion phase, driven by movement of infected people and strained health services; the DRC reported 1,759 confirmed cases and 600 deaths, with new suspected cases now being checked in Kisangani and response teams stepping up surveillance and contact tracing. Health Workers Strike: In Ituri, frontline workers have threatened to walk off the job over unpaid benefits and worsening conditions, adding pressure as treatment centers near capacity and clinical trial enrollment begins. Security and Aid Under Fire: UN partners report 45 Ebola response and aid workers injured in attacks since mid-May, including a raid and fire at an Ebola treatment center in Butembo, undermining containment efforts. DRC Protest Crackdown: Human Rights Watch says security forces used tear gas and batons in Kinshasa against protesters opposing proposed constitutional changes that could extend President Tshisekedi’s term. Copper Output Update: Ivanhoe Mines says Kamoa-Kakula produced 64,328 tonnes of copper in Q2 2026 and expects higher output in the second half as smelting capacity ramps up.

Ebola Crisis in Eastern DRC: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is still accelerating, with WHO reporting the death toll has crossed 500 and confirmed cases now top 1,700 as the epidemic remains in an “expansion phase,” driven by population movement and insecurity. Health Workers Strike: In Ituri, frontline health workers have begun walking off the job over unpaid wages and bonuses, warning the strike could slow care and containment just as clinical trials for treatments are getting underway. Clinical Trials Move Forward: Trials targeting the Bundibugyo strain began in Bunia at the Evangelical Medical Center, with researchers testing options including monoclonal antibody and antiviral approaches as treatment capacity is pushed higher. Regional Spillover Worries: Uganda is stepping up cross-border support and deploying medics and additional treatment centres, while South Africa readies hospitals and border screening in case cases arrive. DRC Politics: Opposition coalition C64 has postponed nationwide protests, citing an AU mediation push, as tensions rise over a planned constitutional referendum and fears of renewed unrest. Economy & Investment: DRC announced plans to launch a stock exchange to attract investment and keep more value from mining inside the country.

Ebola Surge in Eastern DRC: The DRC says confirmed Ebola cases have climbed to 1,708, with 580 deaths, as WHO warns the outbreak is still intensifying and the “true scale” remains unclear. WHO points to sustained transmission in Ituri and North Kivu, community deaths before people reach care, and treatment centers operating under heavy pressure. Treatment and Research Push: WHO and partners have started a new clinical trial for the Bundibugyo strain, where there is still no approved vaccine or targeted treatment—an effort Africa CDC says is urgently needed to guide survival-focused care. Frontline Strain and Risk of Disruption: Reports say health workers are threatening strike action over unpaid benefits and poor conditions, while the U.S. CDC is also ramping up staffing for a long response. Humanitarian Fallout from Fighting: Renewed clashes in South Kivu have displaced at least 6,000 people and disrupted aid routes, worsening overcrowding and disease risk as Ebola continues to spread. Cross-Border Response: Uganda says it has contained spread and is boosting cross-border support, while South Africa prepares by designating hospitals and running readiness drills. China Steps In: DRC health officials say China has sent medical experts to support surveillance, clinical treatment, and training as the outbreak worsens.

Ebola Crisis in DRC: The WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is still in an “expansion phase,” with 1,561 confirmed cases and 506 deaths, as treatment centres near capacity and population movement keeps spreading the virus. Clinical Trials Move Forward: New and expanding clinical trials are testing experimental therapies for the Bundibugyo strain, including WHO-backed efforts to evaluate drugs and antivirals aimed at improving survival. Health System Strain: Health workers in Ituri have threatened to strike over poor conditions, delayed allowances, and shortages of protective gear, raising fears for contact tracing and care just as the response ramps up. Regional Preparedness: South Africa is preparing for possible importation, designating hospitals and running readiness simulations as Congo’s outbreak worsens. Digital Inclusion Push: A new partnership led by Equity Group, AfricaNenda and the Gates Foundation plans to roll out interoperable digital public infrastructure first in Rwanda, then expand to the DRC to boost financial inclusion and cross-border payments. Industrialization in Lubumbashi: Congolese ministers in Lubumbashi inaugurated and launched new manufacturing projects, including underground electrical cable and square tube production, as part of the country’s industrialization and AGOA readiness push.

Ebola Crisis in DRC: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has surged to 1,561 confirmed cases and 506 deaths, with WHO warning of ongoing spread and sustained community transmission; health workers in Ituri have threatened strike action over poor conditions, even as a second Ebola treatment centre opens in North Kivu and a clinical trial (PARTNERS) begins testing experimental therapies including remdesivir and MBP134. Health System Strain: A French doctor infected during the outbreak has recovered, offering a rare sign of hope, but authorities say treatment capacity is nearing full stretch. Pandemic Preparedness Push: WHO’s chief renewed calls for countries to finish the global Pandemic Agreement, warning that every delay leaves the world less ready for the next outbreak. Security and Displacement Pressure: WHO says the response is being complicated by insecurity and displacement across remote, densely populated areas.

Ebola Crisis in Eastern DRC: The WHO says DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has now killed more than 500 people, with 1,561 confirmed cases and 506 deaths, as infections keep rising and spread into Uganda. Treatment Push: A second Ebola treatment centre has opened in North Kivu, and WHO and partners have started a clinical trial for Bundibugyo Ebola treatments, aiming to improve survival. Frontline Strain: Health workers in Ituri have threatened a strike over unpaid benefits and poor working conditions, raising fears the response could slow. Pandemic Pact Pressure: WHO chief Tedros warned that every month of delay on the global Pandemic Agreement leaves the world less prepared for the next outbreak. Security and Civilians: Fighting between the DRC army and M23 in South Kivu’s Fizi territory has killed at least 54 civilians, with roads, health facilities, crops and livestock hit. Mining and Fuel Policy: Congo says copper and cobalt output faces no major disruption from Middle East-linked chemical supply shocks, while Kinshasa plans to extend fuel subsidy cuts, starting with mining.

Ebola Emergency in Eastern DRC: The WHO-backed push for new care is moving fast as the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak worsens. DRC health authorities report 1,528 confirmed cases and 492 deaths, with community transmission continuing and 628 patients in isolation or hospital. Clinical trials have begun in Ituri, testing an experimental monoclonal antibody cocktail (MBP134) and remdesivir alongside supportive care, while a second batch of Chinese experts has arrived in Kinshasa to help with lab work, case management, and infection control. International Pressure on Conflict Minerals: The US Treasury sanctioned Rwandan firms and executives it says help finance M23 through illicit mineral trade, targeting networks smuggling minerals out of the DRC. Cross-Border Oil Talks Under Scrutiny: Civil society groups in Uganda and the DRC are demanding transparency over possible joint oil development in the Albertine Graben, warning of environmental and social risks.

Ebola Crisis in Eastern DRC: The DRC confirmed 1,528 Ebola infections and 492 deaths, with WHO warning the outbreak is still spreading through Ituri and North Kivu and that community transmission remains active. New Treatments Trial: WHO says a clinical trial has begun in Bunia to test remdesivir and an experimental antibody (MBP134) for the Bundibugyo strain, as officials push for more tools to cut deaths. Cross-Border Response: Uganda says it has contained Ebola spread after imported cases from DRC, and is sending medical teams and mobile labs to strengthen the joint DRC-Uganda effort and reduce patients crossing the border. Security and Conflict in South Kivu: Fresh fighting in Fizi Territory left at least 18 dead after drone strikes, with displacement reported across multiple areas as armed groups clash. Minerals Governance Push: Congo is using its UN Security Council presidency to push an international resolution aimed at stopping armed groups from exploiting natural resources, citing the role of 3TG minerals in fueling conflict. Diplomacy and Identity Fraud: Zimbabwe’s Congolese community alleges DRC embassy officials sold birth certificates to non-Congolese, including Rwandans, amid deportation and refugee-status claims.