AGP Executive Report

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo says suspected Ebola cases have crossed 1,000 (1,077), with 121 confirmed and 17 deaths, as fighting and displacement in eastern provinces strain response capacity and push neighbors toward emergency border controls. WHO Emergency Push: WHO chief Tedros calls for an “immediate ceasefire” to let health teams reach affected areas as suspected cases near the 1,000 mark. Regional Tech & Health Readiness: Kenya has given written approval for the US to set up an Ebola quarantine facility at a military site, while airports and health systems across the region ramp up screening, lab support, and isolation protocols. CAR Energy & Infrastructure Funding: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra joined leaders urging bigger investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation, and climate finance—plus more private capital for bankable projects. Solar Supply Boom: China set a record for solar component exports in March 2026 (68 GW), with African demand surging—Nigeria and Ethiopia among the biggest jumpers—highlighting how fast clean-energy hardware is moving into the region. CAR Investment Spotlight: Prateek Suri’s MDR Investments met CAR President Touadéra after securing gold mining interests in CAR and Ghana, signaling more expansion into mining, healthcare, infrastructure, and renewable energy.

Ebola Emergency in Central Africa: The Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is accelerating, with WHO and Africa CDC reporting 900+ suspected cases and 200+ suspected deaths, and warning that 10 countries—including the Central African Republic—face elevated spread risk as insecurity, porous borders, and mistrust slow response. Airport Screening Ramps Up: Ethiopia has launched coordinated Ebola preparedness and inspection measures, including stronger screening at land entry points and international airports, while the US is also increasing traveler checks at select airports. Community Tensions Hit Treatment Sites: In eastern DR Congo, attacks on Ebola facilities are intensifying, including clashes over burial protocols and burned tents at hospitals, showing how local resistance can undermine containment. Peacekeeping Under Strain: SIPRI warns that geopolitical tensions and funding gaps are pushing peacekeeping personnel to the lowest levels in 25+ years, with Central African Republic among the heavily affected missions—raising the stakes for health and security operations. CAR Investment Push: CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra met investor Prateek Suri, as MDR Investments expands mining interests in CAR and Ghana, with plans also touching healthcare, infrastructure, and renewable energy. Energy Tech Supply Boost: China set a record for solar component exports in March 2026, and demand is rising across Africa—an indirect win for future power access in the region.

Ebola Watch: The WHO and Africa CDC say the Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is spreading fast, with 900+ suspected cases and 200+ suspected deaths, and a “very high” risk level inside DR Congo; Africa CDC now flags 10 countries at elevated risk, including the Central African Republic, as cross-border movement and weak health systems complicate containment. Airport Screening & Preparedness: Belgium reissued Ebola emergency guidance after a false alarm at a hospital in Roeselare, while Ethiopia stepped up inspections and lab capacity, and the US began ramping up Ebola screening at major airports for travelers from affected countries. Regional Response Under Strain: Attacks on Ebola treatment facilities and clashes over burial protocols in eastern DR Congo are worsening mistrust and slowing response efforts. Energy Tech Push: China set a record for solar exports in March 2026 (68 GW), with demand surging across Africa—an opportunity for faster electrification if supply chains and financing hold. CAR Tech-Adjacent Investment: Billionaire Prateek Suri’s MDR Investments met CAR President Touadéra after securing gold mining interests, with plans spanning mining, healthcare, infrastructure, and renewable energy. Peacekeeping Funding Gap: SIPRI warns peacekeeping missions are at a 25-year low in deployed personnel, with Central African Republic among the most affected operations as funding shortfalls bite.

Ebola Response Escalates: Central Africa’s Ebola crisis is tightening fast: Africa CDC and WHO say the DRC outbreak is spreading rapidly, with suspected cases now near 900+ and deaths rising, while Uganda reports new Bundibugyo-linked cases. Airport Screening Moves: Ethiopia has launched coordinated preparedness and inspection measures, and the wider region is stepping up fever checks and surveillance at major entry points as risk warnings expand. Strain-Specific Gap: Experts stress the current vaccines and treatments were built for a different Ebola strain, leaving major protection gaps for Bundibugyo. Regional Alarm List: Africa CDC has flagged 10 countries at elevated risk, including CAR and Kenya, urging stronger surveillance and faster response systems. CAR Context: With CAR named among the high-risk states, today’s focus is on readiness—while older coverage shows how quickly mistrust, insecurity, and cross-border movement can derail containment. Wild Meat Pressure: Separately, a new report highlights why outright wild-meat bans could backfire on food security for millions in rural Congo rainforest communities.

CAR Investment Push: Billionaire Prateek Suri’s MDR Investments met CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadéra after MDR secured gold mining interests in CAR and Ghana, signaling faster expansion into mining plus healthcare, infrastructure and renewable energy. Ebola Alarm Across Borders: The DRC’s Ebola situation is worsening fast, with Switzerland pledging $3.8M for response support as Africa CDC and WHO warn the outbreak could spread to 10 more countries, including CAR, amid insecurity and mistrust. Airport Screening Tightens: The US is ramping up Ebola checks at three airports, while Ethiopia and other countries boost entry-point surveillance and lab readiness. Peacekeeping Under Strain: SIPRI says peacekeeping staffing hit a 25-year low, with funding gaps and geopolitical tension threatening operations in hotspots that include CAR. Solar Supply Surge: China set a record for solar component exports in March, feeding Africa’s growing demand for power.

Ebola Alarm in Central Africa: WHO and Africa CDC say the DRC outbreak is spreading fast, with 906 suspected cases and 204 probable deaths reported and 10 neighboring countries at high risk—including the Central African Republic—as insecurity and mistrust slow response. Peacekeeping Under Strain: SIPRI warns UN-backed missions hit the lowest staffing levels in 25 years, with a $2 billion funding gap threatening protection for civilians in hotspots that include the CAR. Russia’s Sahel Setback: Reports say Russia’s “Afrika Corps” is being pushed out of Kidal, Mali after drone-linked ambushes and helicopter losses, complicating Putin’s push toward a Red Sea naval foothold. CAR Business Moves: Mining-focused investor Prateek Suri met CAR President Touadéra, signaling more expansion plans in mining plus healthcare, infrastructure, and clean energy. Girl Education Boost (Ghana): Merck Foundation launched the Educating Linda scholarships push with Ghana’s First Lady.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: WHO has declared a global public health emergency over the Ebola outbreak spreading from DR Congo and Uganda, as Africa CDC/WHO warn of rapid growth to 906 suspected cases and 204 probable deaths, with 11 more countries now flagged as high risk—including the Central African Republic. Regional Response Pressure: Africa CDC says the outbreak is moving fast amid insecurity, weak health systems, misinformation, and cross-border movement, while attacks on Ebola facilities and clashes over burial rules in eastern DR Congo are complicating containment. CAR in the Crosshairs: The Africa CDC risk list explicitly includes CAR, putting a spotlight on how quickly preparedness must translate into screening, surveillance, and patient management. Peacekeeping Under Strain: Separately, SIPRI warns peacekeeping deployments hit the lowest level in 25 years, with funding gaps and geopolitical tensions threatening operations in countries including CAR.

Ebola Alert Hits the Region: Fiji’s health ministry is urging people to avoid non-essential travel to several Central African countries after WHO declared the DRC and Uganda Ebola a public health emergency. Central Africa Focus: The DRC is reporting 516 suspected cases with 33 lab-confirmed infections and 131 suspected deaths, while Uganda has confirmed two Bundibugyo cases linked to DRC transmission areas. Cross-Border Risk List: Africa CDC says 10 countries are at high risk of spread, naming Kenya and also CAR among others, and calls for stronger surveillance and centralised response plans. Peacekeeping Under Strain: SIPRI warns troop levels in UN-led missions fell to the lowest in 25 years, with funding gaps and geopolitics threatening operations—nearly three-quarters of deployed staff are concentrated in CAR, South Sudan, Somalia, DRC and Lebanon.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has jumped fast, with authorities late Saturday raising deaths to 204 and suspected cases to 867, as WHO upgraded the national risk to “very high” and warned the virus is spreading rapidly in conflict-hit eastern provinces. Attacks on Care Sites: In Ituri, tensions are boiling over—residents have stormed Ebola-linked facilities and burned tents used by aid groups after burial rules and limited resources sparked clashes, making response teams struggle to operate safely. Regional Alarm: Africa CDC says 10 countries are now at high risk of spread, naming Kenya and also CAR, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Burundi, and Ethiopia—while Uganda confirmed three more cases, bringing its total to five. Global Response Moves: WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and India issued a travel advisory for DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. CAR Watch: Africa CDC’s list explicitly includes the Central African Republic, putting CAR on the preparedness front line.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: Attacks on Ebola response sites are intensifying in eastern DRC, with residents storming a health centre in Rwampara and a Doctors Without Borders tent set on fire in Mongbwalu—clashes driven by anger over burial protocols as WHO warns the outbreak could worsen across DRC and Uganda. Global Response Tightens: WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and India has issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential trips to the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan while boosting monitoring and screening. Regional Spread Fears: Africa CDC says ten countries are “at risk” of transmission—Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, CAR, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia—alongside a joint WHO/Africa CDC funding appeal of over $314 million, with most money aimed at containment in DRC and Uganda. CAR in the Crosshairs: CAR is on the at-risk list, underscoring how quickly this outbreak’s pressure is reaching Central Africa.

Ebola Alert: Africa CDC says 10 countries are “at risk” after a new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo, naming Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia; WHO and Africa CDC are also calling for $314m+ to speed treatment, surveillance, cross-border coordination, and pre-position emergency supplies as cases spike in Ituri. Borderland Insecurity: Kidnapping-for-ransom is intensifying across the Chad–CAR–Cameroon borderlands, evolving from rural banditry into a transnational criminal business tied to conflict and weak institutions. Wildlife Pressure: A new Central Africa study finds wild meat consumption has risen about 50% since 2000, driven by urban demand, with 31% of wild species assessed at risk. Tech & Society: Separate coverage highlights AI adoption patterns across countries and renewed debate over how foreign influence and disinformation are reshaping politics across Africa.

Ebola Emergency: WHO has declared the 2026 Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with reports of 390+ suspected cases and 100+ deaths tied to the Bundibugyo strain—plus no licensed vaccines or treatments—while Uganda reports additional cases. Sahel Security Reality Check: A new security map argues the AES project has failed, with Burkina Faso facing extreme territory loss and deep contestation across key regions. Cross-Border Crime Pressure: Kidnapping for ransom is intensifying along the Chad–CAR–Cameroon borderlands, evolving from rural banditry into a transnational business tied to armed conflict and weak institutions. Wild Meat Under Strain: A Central Africa study finds wild meat consumption up sharply—driven by urban demand—while 31% of local wildlife groups face extinction risk. Russia’s Africa Push: Preparations are underway for Russia’s next Africa summit in October 2026, signaling a more assertive push for new energy and economic deals.

Ebola Emergency: WHO has declared the new Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with reports of hundreds of suspected cases and more than 100 deaths tied to the Bundibugyo strain—no licensed vaccines or treatments available yet, and containment is complicated by conflict and mobility. Regional Insecurity: A new look at kidnapping-for-ransom shows it has grown from rural banditry into a structured transnational business across the Chad–CAR–Cameroon borderlands, feeding on armed conflict and weak institutions. Foreign Influence & Power Plays: Russia is preparing for a third Africa summit in October 2026, signaling a more assertive push for energy and economic deals as Western pressure continues. Wildlife Under Pressure: A study finds wild meat consumption in Central Africa has risen sharply with urban demand, putting 31% of local wild species at risk of extinction. Tech & Society: Women’s groups in West and Central Africa warn that cyberstalking and tech-facilitated gender violence are rising while justice systems remain underfunded.

Cross-border kidnapping surge: Kidnapping for ransom is intensifying across the Chad–CAR–Cameroon borderlands, evolving from older rural banditry into a structured, transnational criminal economy tied to armed conflict, porous borders, and weak institutions—especially in southern border hotspots. Russian outreach in the background: A new Russia–Africa summit is being lined up for October 2026, with preparations already pointing to fresh energy and economic deals, including with Mali, as Moscow pushes a more assertive Africa strategy. Wildlife under pressure: A Central Africa study warns wild-meat demand is up sharply—driven by fast-growing cities—pushing 31% of local mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians toward extinction. Public health alarm nearby: WHO has declared the DRC’s new Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with Bundibugyo strain cases reported in Ituri and spillover risk rising with mobility and conflict. Women face new tech-fueled risks: Regional groups in Banjul flagged cyberstalking and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, alongside weak reporting and underfunded justice systems.

Radio Anniversary: RFI Hausa marks 19 years since it first put an indigenous African language at the heart of international broadcasting—still reaching West Africa’s Hausa-speaking audiences today. Security & Governance: Sahel reporting paints AES as failing “systematically,” with Burkina Faso described as the most catastrophic case as jihadist control and contestation expand. Public Health: WHO has declared the new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with Bundibugyo strain reported in Ituri and fears of spread into neighboring areas. Drugs & Terror Links: US AFRICOM says terrorism financing across West Africa and the Sahel is increasingly tied to transnational drug trafficking, pointing to major cocaine seizures and a dismantled meth network. Women & Tech-Enabled Abuse: A regional push in Banjul highlights rising cyberstalking and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, calling for stronger reporting and justice systems. CAR Lens: Amid ongoing instability, CAR’s Dzanga-Sangha ecotourism is slowly growing—about 800 tourists in 2025 and roughly $1m revenue—though benefits remain uneven.

Terror-Drug Nexus: The US Africa Command says Nigeria and wider West Africa’s terror surge is increasingly funded by transnational drug trafficking, pointing to a record 35-ton cocaine seizure worth about $1bn and warning that extremist groups exploit weak governance and porous borders. NDLEA Crackdown: The same reporting period highlights Nigeria’s NDLEA dismantling a cross-border meth syndicate, recovering chemicals worth over N480bn and arresting 10 suspects, including Mexican nationals. Public Health Emergency: WHO has declared the new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with Bundibugyo strain cases concentrated in Ituri and spreading risk across borders amid conflict and limited medical options. Women’s Safety Push: Across the region, advocates in Banjul called for stronger action against violence against women, including cyberstalking and tech-facilitated abuse. Education Pressure: New data flags that over 100 million African children and adolescents remain out of school, even as the share has slowly improved. CAR Context: A Cannes spotlight on Central African Republic stories continues, with “Congo Boy” drawing attention to life in Bangui amid conflict and paperwork-driven injustice.