AGP Executive Report

Ebola Emergency: UN chief António Guterres warned the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than containment, as cases and deaths keep climbing (5,713 confirmed and 2,744 deaths reported by Aug. 25) while funding is running out—he appealed for $1.1 billion more to keep the response going. Vaccine Push: The CEPI-backed effort to tackle the rare Bundibugyo strain is accelerating, with up to $16.5 million pledged to Egypt’s Minapharm to move a candidate vaccine toward early human trials in Africa. Regional Contrast: Uganda declared its Ebola outbreak over after 42 days without new cases, highlighting how quickly transmission can be stopped—while DRC still struggles to break the curve. Peace Process, Eastern DRC: Turkey’s Erdoğan held talks with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, signaling support for diplomatic steps toward lasting peace in eastern DRC. Ceasefire Monitoring: Qatar welcomed the first field verification mission in Minembwe under the Doha ceasefire framework, a practical step toward operational monitoring. Climate Pressure: SADC warned of below-normal rainfall and hotter conditions across parts of the region, with possible water and agriculture stress that could worsen humanitarian strain.

Ebola Response: WHO says DRC’s Ebola outbreak has passed 5,600 cases and is still not bending the curve, with 5,656 confirmed infections and 2,715 deaths; WHO is urging faster regional action as insecurity, mistrust, and population movement raise cross-border risk. Cross-Border Preparedness: WHO and neighboring countries are pushing shared monitoring and information-sharing; CAR, DRC, Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan agreed to strengthen preparedness to stop Bundibugyo spread. Uganda Update: WHO confirmed Uganda is Ebola-free after 42 days without a new case, but the DRC outbreak continues to drive regional concern. Health Support: China’s emergency health assistance to DRC was handed over in Kinshasa, while Uganda received a mobile lab to speed up detection—both aimed at strengthening outbreak response capacity. Regional Diplomacy: Angola and DRC leaders signed and backed steps to operationalize the Lobito Corridor, with talk of future oil exploration and energy lines linking Angola to Inga and mining regions in eastern DRC.

Ebola Emergency: WHO says Uganda’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is over, but the virus is still spreading in eastern DR Congo, with cases rising to 5,656 and deaths at 2,715; WHO is urging a six-month humanitarian truce so health teams can reach isolated communities. Humanitarian Access: Aid groups warn attacks on Red Cross workers and ongoing insecurity are crippling the response, while Trócaire reports fear and disruption are deepening across Ituri. Conflict & Education: DR Congo has suspended university activities in M23-controlled areas of Goma and Bukavu after “illegal” appointments, with M23 promising a substitute mechanism for students. Regional Trade: Uganda and DR Congo held a Business Connect Forum and Expo in Butembo to strengthen cross-border investment and tackle trade barriers. Economy & Infrastructure: Angola and DR Congo move ahead on the Lobito Corridor; Tshisekedi calls it an “instrument of economic sovereignty,” tied to a Dilolo–Sakania rail concession. Energy for Mining: A solar-plus-battery baseload project at Kamoa-Kakula begins commercial operations near Kolwezi, supplying 30MW of firm renewable power.

Eastern DRC Ceasefire Monitoring: A ceasefire verification team backed by MONUSCO has arrived in Minembwe, South Kivu, to document alleged truce violations as fighting continues and a roadmap with M23 follows. Press Freedom Under Rebel Rule: The Committee to Protect Journalists urges M23-linked authorities in South Kivu to lift bans on political coverage and reverse the suspension of Bukavu FM host Claude Kashonga. Ebola Response Under Strain: Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak keeps worsening, with reports highlighting misinformation, distrust, and the added burden of violence against relief workers; Pope Leo XIV also called for urgent international action and stronger community involvement. Water Access Hampers Ebola Control: In Ituri, safe water is scarce, forcing people to fetch water for hours and complicating hygiene at Ebola treatment sites. Lobito Corridor Deal: Congo-Kinshasa formalized its commitment to the Lobito Corridor, aiming to boost trade between southern DRC mining areas and the Atlantic via Angola, with environmental cooperation on wildlife and timber trafficking. Labour Protection Talks: DRC is exploring collaboration with South Africa’s Rand Mutual Assurance to modernize occupational injury compensation and social protection systems.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: Pope Leo XIV urged international action as the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 2,500 people, spreading rapidly and driving record infections. Health Response Updates: The WHO issued updated temporary recommendations for surveillance, case detection, infection control, clinical care, and community engagement, adding measures on social restrictions, mass gatherings, and domestic mobility. Eastern Congo Ceasefire Monitoring: A ceasefire verification team arrived in Minembwe, South Kivu, using MONUSCO helicopters, marking the first field mission to document alleged truce violations as fighting continues. Press Freedom Under Pressure: CPJ says rebel authorities in South Kivu are banning political coverage and suspending a Bukavu FM program, warning of an intensifying crackdown on media. Regional Blame Game: Rwanda’s Kagame again accused the international community of mishandling the eastern DRC crisis and said sanctions miss the root causes, while insisting Rwanda’s involvement is tied to the FDLR threat. Mining and Industry: Kamoa Copper ordered more Sandvik trucks and loaders for its Kamoa-Kakula project, expanding an underground fleet supporting copper production.

Ebola Crisis Escalates: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has crossed 5,500 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths, with WHO calling it a “defining moment” as transmission outpaces control; the outbreak now spans 57 health zones across six provinces, and community deaths remain a major concern. Humanitarian Access Under Fire: The Red Cross says Ebola responders have been attacked in Ituri, Haut-Uele, and North Kivu, injuring volunteers and damaging ambulances and equipment—hurting the response just as it needs to scale up. Peace Talks Roadmap: In eastern DR Congo, the government and the Rwanda-backed M23 agreed in Switzerland on a roadmap for peace negotiations, including a ceasefire monitoring mechanism; a first verification mission is set to deploy in Minembwe while fighting continues. Constitutional Tension: Opposition leader Delly Sesanga urged President Tshisekedi to abandon proposed constitutional changes, warning they could enable a third term and complicate elections in 2028. Regional Energy Push: Mozambique’s Beira–Feruka pipeline operator CPMZ plans to expand fuel transport capacity to five million cubic meters by end-2027, citing growing demand including from the DRC.

Ebola Emergency: DR Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged to 5,514 confirmed cases and 2,642 deaths, with the WHO calling it a “defining moment” as transmission keeps outpacing control efforts; Ituri remains the epicenter and about 60% of deaths are happening in communities, not treatment centers. Aid Under Attack: The Red Cross says 12 volunteers were injured and ambulances/equipment damaged in 11 violent incidents since the outbreak began, warning that attacks are making containment harder. Peace Process Watch: A ceasefire verification mission has deployed to eastern DR Congo to monitor the truce involving the government and Rwanda-backed M23, after a Qatar-mediated roadmap built on the Doha framework; the mission is set to travel via Minembwe, Uvira, and Kalehe. M23 Accusations: Kinshasa also claims 300+ people were killed and hundreds raped/tortured in areas under M23 control in June–July, as both sides continue talks.

Peace Process in Eastern DRC: The DRC government and the Rwanda-backed M23 agreed on a roadmap for comprehensive peace talks under the Doha Framework after Switzerland-hosted meetings (Aug. 17–21). The plan includes sequenced steps and timelines, a mechanism to review implementation problems, and a standardized way to report ceasefire violations. A first ceasefire verification mission is set for Minembwe in South Kivu on Monday. Ebola Crisis: Ebola in the DRC is worsening fast: the latest figures put confirmed cases at 5,515 and deaths at 2,642, with new cases reported in Ituri and North Kivu. UN officials warn the outbreak is spreading faster than the response can keep up, while Pope Leo XIV urged international action that also involves local communities. Humanitarian Access Under Fire: Reports say Ebola responders and burial teams have been chased or attacked, and violence is disrupting safe burials and contact tracing. Local Economy at Risk: With political tension ahead of elections, the private sector warns instability could hit tourism, transport, services, and trade. Minerals and Value Addition: Africa’s mineral agenda is shifting toward processing and local value addition, with DRC and others tightening export rules on key minerals like copper and cobalt.

Peace Talks Roadmap: The DRC government and the M23 (including AFC/M23) agreed in Switzerland on a sequenced roadmap to revive Doha Framework peace talks, including a ceasefire monitoring mechanism and a first verification mission due Aug. 24 in Minembwe, South Kivu, while still leaving key disputes—like sanctions, detainee releases, and political reforms—unresolved. Ebola Emergency Escalates: A UN senior coordinator warned the Ebola outbreak is “growing exponentially,” with 5,290+ infections and 2,516 deaths since May 15, as attacks on health workers and burned ambulances hamper response; the UN also says funding for the scaled-up effort could run out within weeks. Global Pressure for Action: Pope Leo XIV urged international support for Congo’s Ebola response, calling for local community involvement in prevention, and also remembered victims of a Central African Republic mining landslide. Human Cost in the East: An eastern Congo artisanal mining community says miners keep working despite Ebola risk, with calls for nearby treatment centers as patients die en route. Regional Context: Separately, a report highlights how GCC states are pushing into critical minerals like copper, cobalt, and lithium—key inputs for energy and defense—while Africa remains a major investment destination.

Ebola Response Under Pressure: DR Congo’s Ebola fight is still racing the clock as the outbreak hits 100 days, with cases and deaths climbing fast and UN officials warning it’s spreading “exponentially” across areas larger than France; the country has received 16,250 doses of the Ervebo vaccine (with 70,000 planned total), but health workers say contact tracing and support are struggling amid insecurity and attacks on frontline teams. Doha Peace Track: In a bid to slow fighting in eastern Congo, the DRC government and AFC/M23 agreed a sequenced roadmap for negotiations under the Doha Framework, including operationalizing the EJVM+ ceasefire verification mechanism and setting a first verification mission for Minembwe. Sanctions Fight: Ex-president Joseph Kabila is challenging US sanctions in a Washington court, arguing the OFAC blacklist is based on unsubstantiated claims that he backed Rwanda-linked M23. Regional Politics: A sharp critique of SADC’s approach says the bloc’s high-level statements don’t match weak funding and chaotic logistics for its Congo mission. Mining Policy: DR Congo has moved to prohibit exports of copper and cobalt concentrates, aiming to push more processing inside the country—raising new pressure on regional supply chains.

Ebola Response: DR Congo received the first 16,250 doses of Merck’s Ervebo vaccine in Kinshasa as the outbreak driven by the Bundibugyo strain keeps accelerating; officials say 70,000 doses total are coming, with 20,000 for a Phase 3 trial and 50,000 for frontline and health workers, while the UN warns cases are spreading “exponentially” and may not have peaked yet. Public Health Measures: Health authorities are also tightening burial rules, requiring Ebola testing of bodies before families can receive remains, aiming to stop funerals from becoming new transmission points. Outbreak Toll & Risk: Latest figures put deaths above 2,500 and confirmed cases above 5,290 across six provinces, with responders facing insecurity, attacks on health workers, and funding pressure. Connectivity & Access: Ethiopian Airlines says it will expand service to Kinshasa with daily midday flights from Dec. 1, 2026, adding to its weekly capacity and cargo links. Crime & Cross-Border Trade: Police in Nansana arrested a Congolese suspect tied to a Kampala-to-Beni phone theft syndicate, recovering dozens of reset or flashed handsets.

Ebola Response in DRC: Congo received 16,250 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine in Kinshasa, with more shipments expected next week, as the outbreak driven by the Bundibugyo strain keeps accelerating—5,290 confirmed cases and 2,516 deaths reported, and Africa CDC warns the real number may be 3 times higher because transmission hasn’t peaked. Public Health Pressure: The UN’s Ebola coordinator says funds may run out in weeks while the virus spreads across an area “bigger than France,” with attacks on health workers and facilities worsening the response. Surveillance Along the Congo River: DRC launched an emergency initiative to strengthen monitoring along the Congo River corridor to stop spread to major cities, including Kinshasa. Regional Spillover Prep: The UN allocated $3 million to the Central African Republic for Ebola preparedness after cases were confirmed in DRC border provinces. Science & Conservation: Scientists confirmed the primate Colobus congoensis in the DRC using DNA tests, a rare win for biodiversity research.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: The UN says the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is growing “exponentially,” with more than 2,500 deaths and the spread now covering an area bigger than France. UN Ebola coordinator Julien Harneis warned funding could run out within weeks, while attacks on health workers and facilities are worsening the response. Cross-Border Preparedness: ECSA-HC launched a six-month emergency push at 33 border entry points across the region, equipping border health teams with surveillance, isolation protocols, and rapid lab transport to catch imported cases early. Vaccine and Research Moves: WHO and partners report 70,000 Ervebo doses are being delivered for response efforts, while CEPI pledged $4.17m to study whether existing Ebola vaccines may offer protection against the Bundibugyo strain. Regional Security Diplomacy: Separately, DRC and Pakistan signed a defence and security MoU after high-level military talks in Rawalpindi. Travel Curbs: Taiwan extended its entry restrictions for DRC residents for another 90 days due to Ebola import risk.

Ebola Emergency in DRC: WHO kept its top emergency alert for the DRC Ebola outbreak as cases surge at “unprecedented speed,” with Africa CDC warning the official tally may reflect only 30–40% of infections. Latest figures put confirmed cases above 5,000 and deaths around 2,400, while WHO says transmission chains are still hard to trace. Vaccines Arrive, But Uncertainty Remains: The DRC is set to receive 70,000 Ervebo doses for the Bundibugyo outbreak—20,000 for a phase 3 trial and 50,000 for frontline health workers—but WHO stresses it’s not yet known if Ervebo will protect against Bundibugyo. Surveillance Push Along the Congo River: Kinshasa launched “Congo River Without Ebola” to strengthen monitoring at ports and river routes, expand early-warning in communities, and prepare isolation capacity to protect major hubs like Mbandaka and Kinshasa. Regional Health Pressure: Africa CDC and partners say the response needs major funding to expand community surveillance, as the outbreak spreads faster than containment efforts.

Ebola Response in DRC: WHO and Africa CDC say the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is worsening fast, with DRC now reporting 5,208 cases and 2,476 deaths, while Africa CDC modeling suggests the real caseload could be 10,000–15,000 because only 30–40% of cases are being detected. Vaccines & Funding: DRC will receive 70,000 Ervebo doses from the global stockpile—20,000 for a Phase 3 trial and 50,000 for frontline health workers—plus Gavi announced an extra $7 million for the response. Containment Under Fire: UN says agencies are scaling up safe care, surveillance, and burial teams, and launched “Congo River Without Ebola” to strengthen monitoring along the river corridor. Rebel Movement Controls: M23/AFC-linked authorities say they will suspend some shared taxis and passenger routes to and from government-held areas after Ebola cases were detected near zones under their control. Travel Restrictions: NBAA warns U.S.-bound travelers who were in DRC within 21 days cannot board flights to the United States. Justice in Kinshasa: Prosecutors seek 15 years’ hard labour for former justice minister Constant Mutamba over alleged fraud tied to Uganda Victims’ Reparation Fund money.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Africa CDC says the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded 5,021 Ebola cases and 2,378 deaths, with WHO warning the outbreak is “far from being under control” as transmission accelerates beyond Ituri and strains treatment capacity. Aid Under Pressure: WHO and partners flag deaths happening outside care and “unidentified transmission chains,” while insecurity and attacks on health services keep response efforts behind. Regional Health Support: The EU announced €2.5m for faster Ebola diagnostics in the DRC, and Tanzania donated medical supplies worth about Sh220m to help protect frontline workers. Security and Mobility Risks: The outbreak’s spread is tied to weak state presence, armed groups, and intense population movement—factors that also disrupt surveillance and contact tracing. International Spillover Concerns: WHO notes Uganda managed to stop transmission after an initial spillover, but warns borders can slow response without stopping the virus.