AGP Executive Report

Telecom Turnaround: The Central African Republic has started implementing its September 2025 deal with US-based Greenline Technologies to take over and transform struggling state telecom operator Socatel, following talks between ICT minister Roger Andjalandji and Greenline’s VP of operations Max Sicari. Ebola Tech & Response Gaps: Foreign Policy’s Africa Brief warns the fastest-ever Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is outpacing response, with WHO saying the real case count may be 2–4 times official figures and that many new cases are found outside known transmission chains. Early Warning, Late Action: William Nyarko of ACILA says Africa’s improving early warning systems still fail when political action lags, costing lives across the continent. Conservation Science: Concordia University research suggests habituating wild gorillas to non-threatening humans can reduce long-term aversion in areas hit by poaching, with results published in the African Journal of Ecology. Security & Travel: The US updated travel advisories with 23 countries on Level 4 “Do Not Travel,” including CAR, citing extreme risks and limited consular help. Regional Finance Research: A study urges BEAC to create an emergency liquidity facility (CFA1.7–2.3 trillion) to protect essential imports during geopolitical shocks. Conflict Economy: A report says Wagner-linked remnants in CAR are using tramadol trafficking to fund gold and timber operations, embedding into local forces and militias.

Public Health Emergency: The Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is now the fastest-growing ever recorded, with WHO saying the epidemic is outpacing response and that the real case count may be 2–4 times higher than official figures; Response Gaps: more than 80% of new cases are found outside known transmission chains, and many deaths occur in communities before patients reach care, making safe burials harder; Early Warning vs Action: Africa’s early warning systems for mass atrocities are improving, but William Nyarko says political action still lags behind credible alerts, costing lives; Security & Mobility: The U.S. updated its travel advisories with Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warnings that include the Central African Republic, reflecting extreme risks and limited consular support; Conservation Tech & Field Methods: Concordia University research suggests long-term habituation of wild gorillas to non-threatening humans can reduce fear after poaching pressure, supporting conservation and ecotourism planning.

Wildlife Science: Concordia University researchers report that carefully habituating wild western lowland gorillas to non-threatening humans can shift behavior from aggression and avoidance to curiosity and indifference over years, offering a practical boost for conservation and ecotourism in poaching-impacted areas of Cameroon. Public Health: A cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic is still spreading, with 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths reported as of July 6, linked to the Ubangi River and tackled through hygiene messaging, water treatment, and reactivating boreholes. Security & Tech-Adjacent Risk: The U.S. has expanded its “Do Not Travel” list, placing the Central African Republic under Level 4 alongside other high-risk destinations, citing extreme security risks and limited consular support capacity. Regional Stability: Analysts say Central Africa’s security landscape is blurring, with militias, vigilantes, and state forces increasingly overlapping—making crime and conflict harder to contain. Health Systems Finance: A new study urges BEAC to create an emergency liquidity facility (CFA1.7–2.3 trillion) to keep essential imports like food, fuel, and pharmaceuticals flowing during geopolitical shocks. Conflict Economy: A report claims Wagner-linked networks in CAR are using tramadol trafficking to fund operations, tying drug routes to gold and timber activities.

Armed Conflict Watch: New Swedish and Stockholm research says 2025 saw the highest conflict deaths of the 2020s, with peacemaking “non-existent or stalled,” and Central Africa highlighted by the wider surge in violence. Public Health—CAR Cholera: A cholera outbreak in Bangui 2, Bimbo and Mbaiki has reached 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths, with transmission linked to the Ubangi River and renewed calls for water treatment, hygiene, and drainage. Conservation Tech—Gorilla Habituation: Concordia University reports that long-term, careful habituation helped western lowland gorillas in Cameroon shift from avoidance to curiosity, offering a potential boost for conservation and ecotourism. Security & Tech—Wagner’s AI-era drug network: A report says Wagner remnants in CAR are using tramadol trafficking to fund operations, with networks moving tablets from Congo into Bangui and onward to Cameroon. Regional Finance: A study urges BEAC to create an emergency liquidity facility (CFA 1.7–2.3 trillion) to keep essential imports flowing during geopolitical shocks. Travel Advisory: The U.S. lists CAR under “Do Not Travel” (Level 4), underscoring extreme security risk and limited consular support.

Wildlife & Conservation: Concordia University researchers report that carefully habituating wild western lowland gorillas to non-threatening humans in Cameroon’s Campo Ma’an National Park can shift behavior from aggression and avoidance toward curiosity and indifference, even after long-term poaching pressure—an approach that could boost conservation and ecotourism planning. Public Health: A cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic has reached 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths (as of July 6), with transmission linked to the Ubangi River; authorities are pushing hygiene, water treatment, and borehole reactivation while UNICEF scales support. Digital Payments: The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) has joined PAPSS, enabling near-instant cross-border payments across CEMAC in local currencies—connecting 28 African countries and expanding access for banks and fintechs. Health Tech & Antibiotic Safety: A JAMA Network Open study using lab isolates from Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Morocco, and Senegal finds high and rising antimicrobial resistance in common UTI bacteria, underscoring the need for stronger monitoring and treatment guidance. Security & Mobility: The U.S. updated travel advisories with Central African Republic listed under Level 4 “Do Not Travel,” citing extreme security risks and limited consular support.

Conservation Tech: A Concordia University study in Cameroon’s Campo Ma’an National Park finds that long, careful habituation can shift wild western lowland gorillas from fear and aggression toward curiosity and calm—even after years of poaching pressure, with results published in the African Journal of Ecology. Public Health: A cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic is still spreading, with 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths reported as of July 6, linked to Ubangi River water use; hygiene and water-point repairs are the focus. Digital Payments: BEAC has joined PAPSS, bringing instant cross-border payments to CEMAC countries (including CAR) using local currencies, aiming for faster and cheaper transfers across Africa. Health Security: A new study on urinary tract infections across Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Morocco and Senegal reports high and rising antimicrobial resistance, warning that monitoring is still fragmented and policy needs stronger action. Regional Stability & Tech Risks: Reporting on Wagner-linked networks in CAR describes tramadol trafficking funding armed operations, raising concerns about how conflict-linked criminal tech networks spread across borders. Travel Advisory Shock: The U.S. updated its “Do Not Travel” list to include CAR under Level 4, citing extreme security risks and limited consular support.

U.N. Budget Overhaul: The Trump administration says it secured more than $1B in UN spending cuts in six months, including a peacekeeping budget approved June 30 that is about 9.7% lower than last year—aiming to reshape how peacekeeping is funded. Travel Safety Signals: The U.S. State Department updated TravelGov with Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warnings for 23 countries, explicitly listing the Central African Republic, citing extreme security risk and limited consular help. CAR Health Alert: A cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic is spreading, with 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths reported as of July 6; officials link transmission to the Ubangi River and stress water treatment and hygiene. Regional Payments Boost: BEAC has joined PAPSS, bringing instant cross-border payments to CEMAC countries and potentially speeding up local-currency transfers across Central Africa. Antibiotic Resistance Watch: A JAMA Network Open study finds rising antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infection bacteria across Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Madagascar, Morocco, and Senegal—highlighting growing pressure on treatment options. Security-Tech Link: Reporting says Wagner-linked networks in CAR are tied to tramadol trafficking, using the drug to fund gold and timber operations—raising concerns about how armed groups monetize conflict.

UN Reform & Peacekeeping: The Trump administration says it secured over $1B in UN budget cuts in six months, including a peacekeeping budget approved June 30 that’s about 9.7% lower than last year, as Washington pushes a broader reform agenda. Travel Safety Signals: The US State Department issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning for 23 countries, explicitly listing the Central African Republic, citing extreme security risks and limited consular help. Public Health Watch: A cholera outbreak in CAR is still spreading, with 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths reported as of July 6, linked to the Ubangi River and worsened by water and sanitation gaps. Epidemic Pressure: In neighboring DRC, Ebola response is falling behind; WHO modeling suggests true cases may be 2–4 times the official count, with most new cases found outside known contact chains. Health Tech & Antibiotics: A JAMA Network Open study reports rising antimicrobial resistance in UTI-causing bacteria across Benin, Cameroon, CAR, Madagascar, Morocco, and Senegal, underscoring urgent lab monitoring and treatment updates. Payments Infrastructure: BEAC has joined PAPSS, enabling faster cross-border payments across CEMAC in local currencies—an important step for regional fintech and trade. Security & Tech Misuse: Reporting says Wagner-linked networks in CAR are using tramadol trafficking to fund operations, blending armed influence with illicit supply chains.

Wagner-linked drug trade: Reports say remnants of Russia’s Wagner network in the Central African Republic are running a tramadol trafficking operation along the Oubangui River, using profits to back gold and timber work while Moscow struggles to rein them in. Public health—cholera in CAR: A cholera outbreak in Bangui 2, Bimbo and Mbaiki has reached 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths as of July 6, with transmission linked to the Ubangi River and officials pushing water treatment, hygiene and drainage fixes. Regional payments upgrade: BEAC has joined PAPSS, enabling faster cross-border instant payments across CEMAC countries in local currencies—an important boost for trade and fintech in CAR and neighbors. Antibiotic resistance watch: A JAMA Network Open study tracking urinary tract infection bacteria across Benin, Cameroon, CAR and others finds high and rising antimicrobial resistance, underscoring the need for stronger monitoring and treatment guidance. Ebola pressure on the region: WHO says the DRC Ebola response is falling behind, with modeling suggesting cases may be 2–4 times the official count, while new cases are increasingly found outside known contact chains.

Diplomacy & Innovation: Moldova and the Republic of Chad have officially established diplomatic relations, with both sides pledging to expand cooperation not just politically and economically, but also in science and innovation. Public Health (CAR): A cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic is still spreading, with 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths reported as of July 6; health teams are focusing on hygiene, safer water, and reactivating water points around Bangui 2, Bimbo, and Mbaiki. Health Security (Regional): The Ebola response in eastern DR Congo is losing ground, with WHO modelling suggesting the real caseload may be 2–4 times higher than official figures, and many new cases detected outside known contact chains. Digital Payments: BEAC has joined PAPSS, linking CEMAC countries to instant cross-border payments in local currencies—an upgrade for faster, cheaper regional transactions. Antimicrobial Resistance: A new study in JAMA Network Open finds rising antibiotic-resistant UTIs across six African countries, including CAR, highlighting growing pressure on treatment options. Organized Crime & Drugs (CAR): Wagner remnants in CAR are reportedly running a tramadol trafficking network that funds gold and timber operations, with distribution tied to routes from Congo into Bangui and onward to Cameroon.

Opioid economy in CAR: Wagner remnants in the Central African Republic are reportedly running a tramadol trafficking network along the Oubangui River, using the drug to fund gold and timber operations and to keep fighters going—while Moscow struggles to rein them in. Public health alert: A cholera outbreak in CAR has reached 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths, with transmission linked to the Ubangi River and officials pushing hygiene, water treatment, and drainage fixes. Ebola pressure nearby: Coverage from the DRC shows Ebola still outpacing the response, with cases rising and spreading into new provinces—an urgent reminder for regional preparedness. Payments tech for CEMAC: BEAC has joined PAPSS, enabling instant cross-border payments across CEMAC in local currencies, a boost for faster trade and fintech activity. Antibiotic resistance in CAR: A JAMA Network Open study finds rising antimicrobial resistance in UTI-causing bacteria across six African countries including CAR, underscoring the need for stronger monitoring and treatment guidance. Security and governance: A new analysis highlights how overlapping state and militia security roles across Central Africa make crime and conflict more profitable and harder to resolve.

Opioid trafficking and control in CAR: Wagner remnants in the Central African Republic are reportedly running a tramadol “opioid empire” along the Oubangui River, using the drug trade to fund gold and timber operations and to sustain influence through ties to the national army and militias. Public health pressure: A cholera outbreak in CAR is still spreading, with 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths reported as of July 6, linked to Ubangi River water use and poor sanitation. Ebola response strain: Across the region, Ebola efforts are struggling—WHO modeling for DR Congo suggests the real case count may be 2–4 times higher than official figures, with many cases detected outside known contact chains. Regional payments upgrade: BEAC has joined PAPSS, enabling faster, cheaper instant cross-border payments across CEMAC—an important boost for tech-enabled commerce and fintech in CAR. Antimicrobial resistance watch: A new JAMA Network Open study finds rising antibiotic resistance in UTI-causing bacteria across six African countries including CAR, underscoring the need for better lab monitoring and treatment guidance. Security and governance: Analysts say overlapping state and militia security roles are making crime and conflict more profitable across Central Africa, complicating efforts to restore control.

Travel & Security: The U.S. expanded its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” list by adding Uganda, bringing the total to 10 African countries, warning Americans to avoid travel due to severe security and public health risks and limited consular help. Regional Finance & Payments: BEAC officially joined PAPSS, linking CEMAC to instant cross-border payments in local currencies—aiming to make transfers faster and cheaper across 28 countries. Central African Health: CAR’s cholera outbreak is still spreading, with 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths reported as of July 6, tied to Ubangi River water use and hygiene gaps. Antimicrobial Resistance: A new JAMA Network Open study found rising antibiotic-resistant UTIs across six African countries, including CAR, highlighting the need for stronger monitoring and treatment guidance. Public Health Emergency: In DR Congo, Ebola continues to outpace response efforts, with confirmed cases nearing 1,800 and spread into a fourth province, while MSF trains health workers in Nairobi for deployments. Governance & Tech Capacity: A study urges BEAC to create an emergency liquidity facility (CFA 1.7–2.3 trillion) to protect essential imports during geopolitical shocks. CAR Crime & Illicit Trade: Reports say Wagner remnants in CAR have built a tramadol trafficking network that helps fund mining and forest exploitation, with drugs reportedly smuggled via the Ubangi River.

Public Health: A cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic has spread across Bangui 2, Bimbo and Mbaiki, with 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths as of July 6, linked to the Ubangi River; authorities are pushing hygiene, water treatment and borehole repairs while communities call for better drainage. Regional Payments: BEAC has joined PAPSS, enabling faster cross-border instant payments across CEMAC in local currencies, connecting 28 countries and hundreds of banks/fintechs—an upgrade for trade and remittances. Antimicrobial Resistance: A new study in JAMA Network Open reports rising antibiotic resistance in UTI-causing bacteria across six African countries including CAR, warning that first-line treatments are losing effectiveness. Ebola Watch (DRC): Congo’s Ebola response is falling behind as confirmed cases near 1,800 and the outbreak spreads into a fourth province; WHO says the real case count may be 2–4 times higher. Security & Health Risks: Reports from CAR describe Wagner-linked networks profiting from tramadol trafficking, using the opioid trade to fund mining and influence—raising serious public health and enforcement concerns.

Cholera Update (CAR): Central African Republic health officials say cholera has killed at least 27 people and recorded 253 cases in two weeks, with the outbreak centered in Bimbo and spreading to multiple Bangui districts and five health districts overall; response teams are pushing safe water, handwashing, and faster access to care. Ebola Watch (DR Congo): Two months after WHO flagged the DRC Ebola emergency, the outbreak is still outpacing response efforts, with WHO modeling suggesting the real case count may be 2–4 times higher than reported and fatalities rising as transmission spreads into a fourth province. Antimicrobial Resistance (Health): A new JAMA Network Open study tracking urinary tract infection bacteria across six African countries—including CAR—finds high and increasing antibiotic resistance, warning that treatment choices and monitoring need strengthening. Payments & Fintech (CEMAC): BEAC has joined PAPSS, linking Central Africa to instant cross-border payments in local currencies and expanding access for banks and fintechs across 28 countries. Security & Public Health Risks (CAR): Reporting says Wagner remnants in CAR have built a tramadol trafficking network, using the drug trade to fund mining and influence—raising concerns for addiction and health harms alongside instability.

Cholera Watch: A fast-moving cholera outbreak in the Central African Republic has reached 435 suspected cases and 36 deaths as of July 6, with transmission linked to the Ubangi River and health districts including Bangui 2, Bimbo and Mbaiki; officials are pushing handwashing, water treatment, and reactivating boreholes, while residents ask for better drainage. Public Health Research: A new JAMA Network Open study tracking urinary tract infections across six African countries (including CAR) finds high and rising antimicrobial resistance, warning that first-line antibiotics are losing effectiveness and that monitoring is still too limited. Digital Payments: BEAC has joined PAPSS, bringing instant, local-currency cross-border payments to CEMAC countries and improving the odds of faster, cheaper transactions for businesses and people across the region. Health Systems Training: MSF is running Ebola simulation training in Kenya to prepare clinicians for deployments in DR Congo and nearby risk areas, focusing on protective gear and community engagement. Security & Illicit Trade: Reports say Wagner remnants in CAR have built a tramadol trafficking network, using the drug trade to fund mining and maintain influence—highlighting how tech, logistics, and supply chains can fuel public-health crises. Education Access: New data shows over 100 million African children and adolescents remain out of school, with progress stalling as population growth outpaces participation.