Central African nation grappling with Ebola, security and governance crises
A fire has swept through a dense Bukavu neighbourhood and spread into two adjacent schools, Ujamaa and Furaha, killing at least 24 children and injuring dozens. The blaze has destroyed hundreds of wooden homes in Kadutu’s Cimpunda area. Local medical facilities are treating dozens of survivors while authorities say the death toll remains provisional.
The Malian army faces a major assault by JNIM at the Dioura base on Sept. 10, with hundreds of militants and civilian concerns. In response, Mali’s military leadership proclaims operational pressure while authorities note casualties and the strategic impact on security in the region.
Amnesty International has documented alleged abuses by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels at artisanal mines in North and South Kivu, including torture, killings, and forced labor. The report covers January 2025 to March 2026 and cites 26 interviewees across Rubaya and Lomera mines, with claims of smuggling minerals to Rwanda amid ongoing conflict.
The Mirror reports Labour leadership is presenting a bold foreign policy stance, urging continued support for Ukraine, a peaceful resolution in Gaza, and a broader humanitarian response to global crises. Labour leaders claim to offer a clear mission, while critics warn of mounting pressure over ceasefire positions and antisemitism concerns.
The Sudanese conflict between the SAF and RSF has intensified, with drones and shelling shaping frontline towns. International pressure grows as the US pushes for a 90‑day humanitarian truce and a civilian-led path to peace, while aid agencies warn of a deepening humanitarian crisis.
A vessel carrying about 100 people and cargo has capsized near Mapera, on Lake Tanganyika, Congo. Rescue operations are under way and the cause remains unclear. About 49 people have been rescued so far; search continues for missing passengers.
A Let 410 UVP crash near Kenge, Kwango province, has killed 14 people, including two senior military officers. An investigation is opened as the Congolese military reports a technical fault and a crash into a residential area while en route to Kinshasa.
Barham Salih has told the UN Security Council that peace is the responsibility of the council, not just humanitarian agencies. He cites Sudan, Congo, Ukraine, Western Sahara camps, and Yemen to highlight ongoing displacement and the need to prevent displacement where possible and rebuild lives in safety.
Gorilla populations around Bwindi and Mgahinga have risen, and communities are benefiting from tourism and conservation efforts. World Gorilla Day celebrations highlight these gains alongside ongoing habitat pressures and the need for sustainable community involvement.
Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo has been crowned as king of Tooro, Uganda, after a contested selection by the Babiito clan. The ceremony followed the death of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, whose heir remains publicly unconfirmed. Queen Best Kemigisa disputes the process, citing a will and an unrevealed heir. The coronation amplifies tensions within Tooro’s royal family and broader Ugandan society.
Undocumented migrants in South Africa have faced intensified pressure amid anti-immigrant protests and a looming deadline to leave. Diaspora returnees are arriving home amid job scarcity and limited social support, while authorities say they are screening returnees for needs. Protests and diplomatic tensions continue as elections approach, with communities seeking safety and stability.
Prince Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I has been installed as Omukama of Tooro after completing traditional rites. The coronation ceremony will continue with a church service and public events in Fort Portal, as observers question the legitimacy and potential rivals to the throne.
AU mediators have carried out consultations in Goma and Kigali to advance the Washington Peace Agreement and related processes, focusing on security commitments, refugee protection, and regional economic cooperation. The talks add to ongoing Doha and Washington tracks and aim to secure progress amid escalating fighting in eastern DRC.
Kenya has confirmed its first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola after a Kenyan who fell ill in the Democratic Republic of Congo travelled by road through Uganda and flew to Nairobi on Oct. 3. The patient has tested positive, died on Oct. 5 and authorities have identified and begun monitoring dozens of contacts and flight passengers.
Mali’s army, with Russian-backed support, has re-entered Kidal after Tuareg rebels withdrew without direct fighting. Analysts say the move boosts the junta’s standing but is unlikely to decisively alter the broader conflict against jihadist and separatist groups.
The United States and Zambia have reached a five-year health package totaling about $3.6 billion, with the U.S. providing roughly $1.5 billion and Zambia contributing around $2.1 billion. Data-sharing terms have been narrowed to information necessary to monitor and evaluate programs, and clauses on sharing patient specimens have been removed. Zimbabwe and Ghana have rejected similar terms.
Human Rights Watch says US deportations to African countries violate international law by removing third-country nationals to destinations with little or no ties. The program has expanded under Trump’s return to power, with over 500 people affected and at least 12 LGBTQ individuals sent to hostile states. Critics warn of non-refoulement breaches and opaque deals.
Prosecutors and courts are advancing cases tied to the 1994 genocide. An Ohio-based suspect faces perjury and obstruction charges in the United States, while UK and French investigations pursue other figures linked to killings of Tutsi minorities. Trials are scheduled or upcoming, with witnesses expected from Rwanda.
The new Front for the Refoundation of the Nation has been unveiled in Goma, with Joseph Kabila at the helm. The coalition brings together former AFC/M23 leaders, vows to end tyranny by force if necessary, and signals a major turn in the conflict in eastern DR Congo as Doha talks continue with limited progress.
Formula One has signed a 10-year agreement with Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix on a new, purpose-built FIA Grade 1 circuit in Bugesera, about 40km south of Kigali. The deal, announced in Kigali, has set the first race for the early 2030s and forms part of a wider development to drive tourism, jobs and motorsport training while prompting sportswashing concerns.
Amref Health Africa has called for stronger domestic financing and primary healthcare, warning that declines in external aid risk weakening health systems. The Berlin World Health Summit is used to push reforms and outline plans for Africa Health Agenda International Conference 2027 in Kigali.
The UK has threatened a total visa ban on Eritrean nationals unless Eritrea accepts the return of people the UK says have no right to remain, including foreign national offenders. Ministers have already suspended fast-track visas for Eritrean VIPs and restricted diplomats' travel outside London. Eritrea has refused to engage under threat and says it will only discuss returns after proper dialogue.
Pope Leo has undergone lung surgery for adenocarcinoma. He has been discharged and is resuming duties while facing the possibility of adjusting his Latin America schedule, with no clinical reasons to cancel the trip. Tests to determine cancer spread are underway.
The Congo Ebola response has seen $962 million in donor funds disbursed since the outbreak began, but only about $200 million is accounted for on the ground. Authorities say operations have been restricted, with accreditation limited to 25 of nearly 100 organizations, and an investigation into missing funds is underway.
The pope has undergone surgery to remove a lung nodule and is resuming activities. He has urged for greater dialogue and a ceasefire in Ukraine to deliver aid and evacuate civilians. A trip to South America is being planned, pending doctors’ advice.
The White House is investigating a donor scheme involving Richard Grenell, Turhan Mildon and Alina Habba. A May 2025 transfer of 17.6 million dollars to a Texas defense contractor allegedly included a 5.6 million donation intended for the Kennedy Center, which never arrived. Grenell denies wrongdoing while officials seek to establish the money’s origin and purpose.
The Ebola outbreak has reached multiple countries, with Congo reporting thousands of cases and Kenya confirming a ninth case. Nigeria and Uganda are seeing new infections as health ministries coordinate responses, and vaccines are in trials but not yet available.
Nigeria has confirmed a new Ebola case in Abuja, with a Ugandan-born woman who travelled via Kampala and Addis Ababa having tested positive. Kenya reports nine infections and a fatality as investigators trace potential links and a wider outbreak across East Africa. Authorities are tracing contacts and seeking the source of infection while genomic sequencing is under way.
Nigeria has confirmed an imported Ebola case in Abuja. A woman who travelled from Uganda developed symptoms after returning to Nigeria. Authorities are tracing contacts and coordinating with international partners as the outbreak expands across Africa.