AGP Executive Report

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO has declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, warning the situation is “extraordinary” and may be bigger than reported. Cross-Border Spread Fears: Cases and suspected deaths are concentrated in eastern DR Congo’s Ituri province, with lab-confirmed infections now reported in Goma and Kinshasa, while Uganda has recorded linked cases in Kampala. No Vaccine for This Strain: The outbreak is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, and officials stress there are no approved treatments or vaccines specific to it. Regional Response Moves Fast: Countries are activating emergency plans and screening at borders and airports; Hong Kong has raised its alert level, and the CDC is ramping up support. Global Attention: The WHO’s call is coming as conflict and displacement in the region make containment harder, and even Americans in Congo are reportedly being assessed for possible exposure.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO has declared the DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, as deaths climb to 88 and 336 suspected cases are reported, with a laboratory-confirmed case in Goma—a major eastern city under Rwanda-backed M23 control—raising fears the outbreak is spreading faster than health teams can track. No Vaccine, High Stakes: The outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain, and officials stress there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making containment hinge on rapid detection, isolation, and safe care. Regional Alarm: Africa CDC warns of high regional spread risk due to insecurity and cross-border movement, while Tanzania and Rwanda move to tighten screening and border controls, and Kenya puts counties on alert. Local Fallout: In Congo’s Ituri province, families and hospitals brace for more cases as the humanitarian and security crisis deepens.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: The WHO has declared the Congo and Uganda Ebola outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” warning countries sharing borders with DR Congo are at high risk as deaths climb to at least 87 and suspected cases surge. No Vaccine for This Strain: Health officials say the outbreak is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, with no approved vaccine or specific treatment—raising the stakes for fast screening and contact tracing. Cross-Border Spread Fears: Uganda has reported an “imported” fatal case in Kampala, and WHO is urging border-area monitoring and isolation steps without shutting borders. On-the-Ground Pressure: Africa CDC says transmission is active in eastern Ituri, including mining towns, where insecurity and intense movement are making containment harder and burials constant.

Ebola Emergency Escalates in Eastern DR Congo: Congo’s health minister says deaths from the new Ebola outbreak in Ituri have jumped to 80, with officials warning the Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine or specific treatment and a lethality rate that can reach 50%. Africa CDC has confirmed the outbreak and says preliminary lab results point to a non-Zaire strain, while Uganda reports one imported fatal case in Kampala, raising cross-border alarm as screening and contact tracing ramp up. Regional Preparedness: Africa CDC has convened urgent talks with DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan and activated immediate response measures. Trade Push Amid Crisis: Separate from the health emergency, Russia’s FESCO says it has completed a first direct container shipment to Dar es Salaam, opening a new corridor linking Russian exporters to East Africa. Migration Pressure: Earlier reporting highlights how cross-border movement and job-seeking flows are swelling in the region—exactly the kind of mobility that makes outbreaks harder to contain.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: Africa CDC has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s Ituri province, with 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths reported so far, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara. Lab results so far point to 13 positives out of 20 samples, and officials say the virus may be a non-Zaire strain, which could complicate response tools built for other variants. Cross-Border Alarm: Uganda has confirmed an imported Ebola death in Kampala linked to a Congolese man, and Africa CDC is pushing an urgent regional coordination push with DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan as mining-linked travel and insecurity raise the risk of spread. US Support: US CDC officials say they’re monitoring and offering technical help to both governments. Local Context: Separate from the health crisis, DRC coverage also includes ongoing conflict and rights concerns in eastern Congo, while Dacorum planning updates continue in the UK.

Ebola Emergency in Ituri: Africa CDC has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo’s Ituri province, reporting 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths so far, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara, with additional suspected cases in Bunia. Cross-Border Alarm: The agency says it’s convening an urgent meeting with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to boost surveillance, preparedness, and response, warning that mining-linked movement and insecurity could drive spread. Strain Complication: Early lab results suggest a non-Zaire strain, with sequencing ongoing—raising concerns that past tools may not fit as neatly. Humanitarian Pressure: At the same time, aid groups warn hunger is worsening across the DRC, with needs far outpacing response, adding strain to already fragile health systems.

DRC Violence, Again: In eastern DRC, ADF attacks keep striking Christian communities—after Biakato’s May 13 massacre (21 killed, homes burned) and earlier killings in Makumo, locals say they go to sleep not knowing what the night will bring. Human Rights Pressure: A new Human Rights Watch report says M23 rebels and Rwandan forces committed killings, rapes, and abductions during their late-2025/early-2026 occupation of Uvira, documenting 53 summary executions and other abuses. Ceasefire Signals: An armed group in Ituri, the CRP, announced a unilateral ceasefire ahead of talks. Global Power & Minerals: Rwanda’s Paul Kagame used the Africa CEO Forum to warn that Africa is being treated as a resource reserve, while the U.S. races to secure rare earths for weapons supply chains without relying on China. Digital ID Security: Experts say digital identity systems are now “critical infrastructure,” demanding cyber defense built in from the start. US Courts, Congo Deportation: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return a Colombian woman deported to Congo after Congo refused to accept her.

US Courts vs Deportation Chaos: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to bring back a 55-year-old Colombian woman deported to DR Congo, saying the move was “likely illegal” after Congo refused to accept her and she faces serious medical risk in Kinshasa. Eastern DRC Atrocities: Human Rights Watch reports M23 and Rwandan forces carried out summary executions, rape, and enforced disappearances during a month-long occupation of Uvira, with the rebels withdrawing from some positions after pressure. Refugee Policy Tightening: South Africa’s top court barred repeat asylum applications after an initial rejection, aiming to stop a “never-ending cycle” that blocks deportations. Aid Cuts Fallout: HRW says sweeping US foreign aid cuts in 2025 crippled human-rights work across 16 countries, leaving defenders and investigations stranded. France Pushes Peace Funding: Macron announced a Paris conference to raise money for the AU Peace Fund later this year.

Cobalt Supply Deal: EGC, EVelution Energy and Trafigura signed a MoU to build a long-term framework for supplying Congolese cobalt hydroxide to the United States, with EVelution set to refine it in Arizona for battery and defense-linked demand. Humanitarian Pressure: FAO and WFP warn hunger in the DRC is still severe, with 26.5 million people facing food insecurity and 3.6 million in emergency conditions, driven by conflict and displacement. Wildlife Protection: Lola ya Bonobo in Kinshasa is sheltering orphaned bonobos from poaching threats, relying on constant human care to keep the most vulnerable infants alive. Sports Spotlight: The DRC’s World Cup return after 52 years is set to play out in Houston, where the team will train at SaberCats Stadium ahead of its June 17 opener vs Portugal. Local Governance: Ghana’s rent control authorities are moving to clamp down on hostels charging “absurd prices” without required amenities, as students push for enforcement.

Hunger Emergency: WFP/FAO warn DRC hunger is worsening again: 26.5 million people—nearly 1 in 4—can’t meet basic food needs, with 3.6 million in emergency conditions, as conflict in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika keeps families displaced and markets broken. Aid Gap: Needs are outpacing response, with only a fraction of people reached in the worst-hit east, while high prices, disease outbreaks and disrupted supply routes push more households toward crisis. Security & Civilians: The same eastern provinces remain under pressure from armed groups, including ADF-linked attacks that Amnesty says target Christians and involve serious abuses. Humanitarian Spotlight: Amid the violence, stories of survival continue—like Lola ya Bonobo’s rescue sanctuary in Kinshasa, where orphaned bonobos are kept alive through constant care. Regional Politics: Meanwhile, Tshisekedi’s Kenya visit sparked mass arrests of Congolese nationals, showing how regional diplomacy can still turn tense on the ground.

M23 Pullback in Eastern DR Congo: M23 rebels have withdrawn from several areas north of Uvira, including the strategic town of Sange, as FARDC and local officials say “Wazalendo” fighters moved in—an apparent response to renewed ceasefire pressure and US-backed diplomacy. Humanitarian Pressure: The broader picture remains grim: conflict in eastern DR Congo is driving mass displacement and hunger, with millions facing emergency or crisis food insecurity and aid reaching only a fraction of those targeted. Infrastructure Push: In Kinshasa, DR Congo’s PM Judith Suminwa praised China-backed road works on the Kinshasa ring road, urging contractors to use the dry season to clear bottlenecks. Climate & Land Use: A new study flags agriculture as the biggest driver of tropical peatland loss in Indonesia, Peru, and the DR Congo—fueling emissions and climate risk. Regional Context: Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni was sworn in for a seventh term, with heavy security and regional leaders in attendance.

ICC Legal Turn: Rodrigo Duterte has named ICC heavyweight Peter Haynes as his new lead counsel, replacing Nicholas Kaufman ahead of the next phase of Duterte’s crimes-against-humanity case tied to the war on drugs. DRC Conflict Update: M23 says it has pulled back from parts of eastern DR Congo as ceasefire pressure mounts; AFP reports the group withdrew from areas north of Uvira, including Sange, while fighting and militia attacks continue to drive fear and displacement. Civilians & Peacekeeping Gap: A new analysis argues civilians may need to help fill shrinking protection space as MONUSCO’s footprint changes, with abuses and mass internal displacement still rising. Money for Local Growth: BII and Ecobank DRC launched a $30m risk-sharing facility to expand credit for DR Congo SMEs, aiming at jobs and resilient supply chains. Displacement Record: A global report says conflict and violence caused more internal displacement than disasters in 2025 for the first time.

Eastern Congo Violence: ADF-linked attacks in North Kivu and Ituri have killed at least 50 civilians in the past week, with raids, kidnappings, looting and arson reported as the security crisis deepens and truce talks face fresh strain. Frontline Shift: In South Kivu, the U.S.-backed pressure appears to be moving the map: Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 has withdrawn from several key positions, a rare battlefield change after months of stasis. Politics at the Center: President Félix Tshisekedi is openly testing public reaction to a third term and warning 2028 elections could be delayed if fighting continues—an approach that opposition and critics say is meant to shape the constitutional path. Digital Push in DRC: On the home-front, DRC’s financial inclusion drive is getting biometric momentum: MainMoney is rolling out palm-based payments in Kinshasa, while the World Bank pushes countries toward more integrated, outcome-based digital ID procurement. Tech & Rights Watch: Separate from Congo, police drone programs and facial-recognition surveillance are raising privacy alarms, while France opens a probe into X and xAI over deepfakes.

Eastern Congo Security: A new wave of attacks blamed on the ADF has deepened the crisis in North Kivu’s Beni and Ituri’s Mambasa, with residents describing panic and bodies still being recovered after overnight raids—despite FARDC and Uganda forces operating nearby. Ituri Violence: The wider pattern is grim: late-April CODECO retaliatory attacks in Ituri left at least 69 dead, with recovery delayed by insecurity and remains still uncollected. Global Pressure on Congo’s Conflict Minerals: The fight over minerals keeps pulling in outside interests, and the latest reporting again ties armed group violence to control of gold and other valuable resources. Other News (DRC-adjacent): Beyond conflict, Merck Foundation named winners of its 2025 Fashion, Song & Film awards, and Vodacom reported strong growth including performance in the DRC.

Over the last 12 hours, DR Congo-related coverage was dominated by political uncertainty around President Félix Tshisekedi’s future and the timing of elections. Multiple reports say Tshisekedi has hinted he could accept a third term if the public approves via referendum, while also warning that presidential elections scheduled for 2028 may not be held if the war in eastern DR Congo continues. The reporting links the election timetable to whether North Kivu and South Kivu can participate, given ongoing fighting involving M23 and other armed groups.

Security and humanitarian concerns in eastern DR Congo also featured prominently. At least 22 civilians were reported killed in an overnight attack attributed to ADF militants affiliated with ISIS*, with sources describing the use of machetes and other bladed weapons. Separate coverage also included a rights-focused account alleging ADF abuses against civilians in eastern DR Congo, describing patterns that Amnesty International says amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Alongside conflict coverage, there were several development and governance stories that suggest continuity in DR Congo’s broader policy and economic agenda. DR Congo secured a UK-backed US$25 million financing mechanism (implemented through Rawbank) aimed at expanding credit and reducing lending risks for agricultural exports such as cacao and coffee. In parallel, reporting on the “Lobito Corridor” framed the regional critical-minerals rail project as moving from planning toward execution, while emphasizing that it remains a work in progress. Health and information-safety issues also appeared, including reporting on how health misinformation in DR Congo has triggered deadly violence—an example of how non-military threats are worsening risk for communities.

Outside DR Congo, the most recent items provided context for regional pressures that can intersect with DR Congo’s situation, including migration and xenophobia debates. Recent coverage described Afghan migrants facing uncertainty and mass transfers in Tajikistan, and it also included reporting on xenophobic calls in South Africa—though these were not directly tied to DR Congo in the provided evidence. Overall, the newest DR Congo-specific evidence is strongest on election/term uncertainty and eastern security, while economic and infrastructure updates appear as supporting threads rather than a single, clearly defined “major event” beyond the political-security developments.

In the last 12 hours, coverage heavily centered on security and governance pressures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Multiple reports describe deadly violence in the country’s east, including an overnight attack blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) that killed at least 22 civilians in North Kivu, and separate reporting that opposition protests in Kinshasa left at least 17 dead amid tensions over election timing. In parallel, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi warned that elections cannot be held after his term ends unless the conflict in eastern provinces is resolved—framing the eastern war as the key obstacle to political timelines.

A second major thread in the same period links DRC to U.S. immigration and deportation policy. Articles describe lawmakers and courts responding to deportation cases involving people sent to the Congo, including a U.S. court denial of immediate release for a Bolivian man ordered removed to the DRC, and a separate report on U.S. detention conditions and advocacy efforts by Rep. Chellie Pingree for individuals held in Texas, including a DRC national awaiting asylum processing. The broader implication in the coverage is that DRC is being pulled into U.S. policy decisions affecting third-country deportations and family separations.

Beyond conflict and migration, the last 12 hours also included economic and infrastructure reporting with a DRC focus. Coverage highlighted the Lobito Corridor as a “delivery test” for a mega-project linking Angola, the DRC, and Zambia, with one account emphasizing that the corridor’s operator frames strategy as operational rather than geopolitical. There was also attention to DRC’s energy constraints and mining-linked power planning, including reporting that DRC is set to take an equity stake in a $270 million cross-border transmission line to Zambia to support rising electricity demand in the mining region.

In the 12 to 72 hours window, the same themes show continuity: repeated reporting on ADF/Islamic State-linked atrocities in eastern DRC (including Amnesty documentation of mass killings and “war crimes” against civilians, especially Christians), and ongoing discussion of DRC’s digital and energy transformation efforts. For example, DRC’s digital transformation project was described as seeking digital public infrastructure such as digital identity, data-sharing, and e-signatures, while other coverage discussed hunger pressures in Kinshasa tied to conflict, climate pressures, and weak economic conditions. Taken together, the recent coverage suggests a sustained focus on eastern security crises and their spillovers—into elections, humanitarian conditions, and even external policy decisions—while economic reporting increasingly ties DRC’s stability and development prospects to energy and connectivity projects.