Afghanistan Marks Five Years of Liberation from US-NATO Occupation

Two decades of war waged by the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies resulted in the victory of the Taliban. Today the country is still suffering as a result of the war while facing growing tensions with neighboring Pakistan and the lack of humanitarian assistance.

By Abayomi Azikiwe

Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday August 19, 2026

Geostrategic Review

During August of 2021, just seven months into the tenure of then President Joe Biden, the United States was rushing to withdraw its last military troops and aids out of the Central Asian state of Afghanistan.

On August 26 of that same year, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive which killed 13 US military personnel and wounded 45 others.

This attack also resulted in the deaths of approximately 170 Afghan nationals waiting in line among thousands of others at the international airport in an effort to board US aircrafts leaving the country and heading to the West. These events were a clear reflection of the failure of the imperialist occupation which was solely responsible for the destabilization, deaths and destruction of the country. 

Under the guise of fighting terrorism by capturing the former leader of al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden, the US administration of then President George W. Bush, Jr. ordered the invasion of Afghanistan along with signing legislation such as the Patriot Act which enhanced the repressive apparatus of the state. Less than two years after the bombing and intervention in Afghanistan, another war against the people of Iraq was launched in March 2023. 

If this was not enough, the US military along with its NATO allies from Canada and France then invaded the Caribbean island-nation of Haiti as well. Therefore, within two-and-one-half years, the White House had launched three wars in various geo-political regions around the world. 

Fifth Anniversary Celebrations

With specific reference to the commemorations of the fifth anniversary of its liberation from the US-NATO occupation, thousands of Afghans took to the streets in parades and car caravans waving flags as a sign of victory. The leaders of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have much to reflect upon in light of the two decades of war and the last five years of their attempts to rebuild the country devastated by military occupation and economic underdevelopment. 

Among the masses of Afghan people there is relief from the US-NATO occupation yet ongoing distress from the lack of employment and food deficits persist. There have also been some security concerns as a grenade attack on August 18 was carried out against an elementary school in the capital of Kabul’s Dasht-e-Barchi which injured dozens of students. 

The school was located in an area populated by the minority Shia Hazara area in western Kabul. This neighborhood does have a history of attacks by extremist Sunni groupings against the Hazara people.

In addition to the attack on the school, over the years there have been some targeted assassinations of government officials. In late July assassins killed a high-ranking Taliban leader in the northwestern province of Badakhshan. These assassinations are rare and have not impeded the Taliban from implementing its policies. 

In a report published by the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the five-year anniversary of the departure of Pentagon troops, it emphasized:

“Inside and around Kabul's Loya Jirga Hall, the Taliban is staging a highly choreographed display of its military and political authority. The event is intended to project the image of a government firmly in command, while reinforcing the Taliban's narrative of a country that has finally broken free from foreign military intervention, corruption, narcotics and feudalism.” (https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-17/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDkxOTIw/index.html)

Although the current administration of President Donald Trump has criticized the Biden administration for the chaos which characterized the US withdrawal, it was this same Republican leader which had conducted the negotiations which led to the evacuation. Trump when running for presidential office in 2016, 2020 and 2024 claimed he was not going to enter into another war in West Asia or other geo-political regions. 

However, the war in Ukraine has continued under his leadership. The US and its Israeli ally initiated two wars against the Islamic Republic of Iran in June 2025 and again on February 28, 2026. The attacks by Tel Aviv and Washington since June 2025 have failed to overthrow the Iranian government and has resulted in a deepening economic crisis within the capitalist states prompted by the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz and the destruction of Pentagon bases and equipment in several satellite states in West Asia.

The same CGTN article noted above also quoted officials on the celebrations in Afghanistan:

“Abdul Salam Hanafi, Afghanistan Deputy Prime Minister, said ‘following twenty years of relentless war, the people of Afghanistan succeeded in driving the invaders from their country, ended the imposed conflict and restored peace and stability across the nation.’”

Over the last five years nonetheless the Afghanistan government has been impacted by the diplomatic isolation fostered by the US and its NATO allies. Western states have refused to recognize the government in Kabul or make any significant contributions to its continuing humanitarian crisis resulting from the economic difficulties.

In another quote from the Afghan foreign ministry, CGTN reported:

“Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Afghan Foreign Minister, said of the international diplomatic situation that ‘the countries that have had no interaction with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan should tell us what they have achieved, what benefits they have gained, and what the results of their negative policies have been regarding Afghanistan.’"

The diplomatic isolation of Afghanistan has had an impact on providing humanitarian relief to the people. Over the last four years several earthquakes have struck Afghanistan.

In 2022, a magnitude 5.96 earthquake hit Khost and Paktika provinces which killed more than 1,000 people. During the following year of 2023, another powerful earthquake at a 6.3 level in Heret province, killing an estimated 1,400 others. 

On August 18, a 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region. The impact of the seismic event could be felt as far away as Islamabad in neighboring Pakistan. No injuries or deaths were reported in the immediate aftermath.

If there were normalized relations between Kabul and other states, adequate humanitarian assistance could be facilitated. However, the hostility towards Afghanistan remains over the defeat of the US and NATO during the two decades war. 

Tensions Remain Between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of the diplomatic isolation of Afghanistan is the rising tensions between Kabul and the government in Pakistan. News report indicate that around 500 civilians have died during clashes between the two neighboring states.

Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of supporting groups which are hostile to Islamabad. Pakistan has carried out bombing operations against Afghanistan even in the capital of Kabul.

The Afghan government has welcomed offers from the People’s Republic of China, Qatar and Saudi Arabia to mediate the conflict. Nonetheless, these efforts have not brought about an improvement in relations.

A report published by Afghanistan International on August 5 highlighted the diplomatic dispute between Kabul and Pakistan, saying:

“Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar urged member states to confront what he called the growing terrorist threat from Afghanistan, saying multiple groups had expanded their operations since the Taliban’s return. Speaking at the Security Council on Wednesday, 5 August, Iftikhar said the situation in Afghanistan was deeply concerning. He claimed that safe havens were currently available in Afghanistan to groups including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Balochistan Liberation Army, Islamic State Khorasan Province, the East Turkistan Islamic Movement and al-Qaeda. The UN Security Council meeting was held under the title ‘Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts’. Pakistan’s representative said many of these groups recruited and trained members inside Afghanistan and planned terrorist attacks in Pakistan with complete impunity. He also alleged that some of the groups received financial support from Pakistan’s eastern neighbor, referring to India.” (https://www.afintl.com/en/202608068482)

As the tensions continue, the US and its closest allies have failed to intervene diplomatically to resolve the issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The US does not want any normalized diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and its neighbors.

The situation in Afghanistan and the Central Asian region as a whole will remain tense due to the role of Washington. After a twenty-year occupation which was preceded by direct US interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan going back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, these imposed destabilization efforts and genocidal war will continue to impact the area for years to come.

More Evidence Revealed on the Role of the UAE in the Sudanese War

Britain and the United States have close ties with the Emirates which is fueling the ongoing horrendous intra-military carnage taking place in the Republic of Sudan

By Abayomi Azikiwe

Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Tuesday August 18, 2026

Geostrategic Analysis

Since April 15, 2023, the serious disruptions in the military structures and high command within the Republic of Sudan has resulted in the deaths of untold numbers of people, the injury of many more and the displacement several million. 

There has been discussions and debates at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over the role of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Accusations that the UAE is funding, arming and helping to coordinate the military actions of the RSF have been made by numerous entities including the Sudanese government under the leadership of General Abdel Fattah El-Burhan, the Chairman of the Sovereign Council. The trafficking in gold as a strategic metal partially underlines the interests of the UAE and the rebel grouping, the RSF, and its allies in Sudan. 

However, the link extends further into European markets, particularly Britain, as connections between the government of the United Kingdom and the UAE regarding the gold trade has been further exposed by Sky News. Apparently, the British Foreign Office is aware of the ties between the UAE monarchy, the war in Sudan and UK business interests. 

The current war in Sudan has been described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. An estimated hundreds of thousands have died through warfare and forced depravation. Other have reported serious allegations of assault along with internal as well as external displacement of Sudanese inside and outside the country. 

The internal war within the military has deflected international attention away from the mass democratic movement which had swept the country during the early months of 2019. These efforts by the youth, professional groupings and the working class was immediately attacked by the military apparatus backed by the United States, the Persian Gulf monarchies and other allied states such as the UK and members of the European Union. 

Sudan People Suffering Immensely Due to Imperialist Machination

The period between mid-2019 through April 2023 was characterized by the deliberate betrayal of the aspirations of the Sudanese masses by the military in conjunction with imperialism and its operatives throughout the Horn of Africa and West Asia. This set of circumstances was typified by the former Interim Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok when he colluded with US President Donald Trump during the closing months of his first term to “normalize” relations with the State of Israel in exchange for Sudan being taken off the list of sponsors of “state terrorism.” 

Sudan in its early independence phase in 1958 passed the “Israeli Boycott Act” prohibiting trade between the country and the apartheid state. Consequently, even during this recent phase of a purported transition towards democracy the US and its allies were working feverishly to prevent a genuine political revolution in Sudan. 

In a report by Sky News published on August 18, it notes that:

“The role of the United Arab Emirates and its American and British allies is under increasing scrutiny. The UAE claims it is not involved in any military sense in the war in Sudan, but fewer and fewer people believe them, and evidence is stacking up against those claims. Nathaniel A. Raymond, executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, said, ‘The UK has not once called on the United Arab Emirates to stop arming the [paramilitary Rapid Support Forces] RSF with extremely advanced weapons, including a tier one drone system, including electronic jamming, missile launch and suicide drones. It was those drone systems and artillery systems that we know US intelligence concurs came from the United Arab Emirates, which allowed Rapid Support Forces to take out Al Fashir. And slaughter tens of thousands of civilians.’ Al Fashir witnessed a genocidal massacre a year ago.” (https://news.sky.com/story/sudan-war-the-uaes-role-in-this-conflict-is-under-increasing-scrutiny-and-so-is-britains-13572327)

Direct military support from the UK to the UAE, which is being transferred to the RSF in Sudan, is perpetuating the atrocities being committed in Darfur and North Kordofan. RSF soldiers have been driven out of some previously held areas such as the capital of Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman. Reports from the frontlines in North Kordofan indicate that the SAF have recaptured territory from the RSF. 

However, there has been a reluctance on the part of the British government to cut ties with the UAE over the Sudan question. The Sky News investigation charged that refined gold products originating in Sudan are being sold in retail outlets in Britain. 

Despite the fact that a few people have been cited in their illegal dealing in Sudanese gold in Britain, much more could be done. Overall Sudan produced over 70 metric tons of gold during 2025. The British government, even according to Sky News, values its relations with the UAE more than addressing its role in the Sudanese war. 

Another source monitoring the situation in Sudan and the involvement of imperialist-allied forces says:

“This latest horrific news coincides with the revelation that documents seen by the UN show that UK military equipment exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been found in the hands of the RSF. The equipment includes military training equipment produced by Militec in Mid Glamorgan, and engines for UAE-made Nimr armoured vehicles, manufactured by the UK subsidiary of US company Cummins Inc. There has been overwhelming evidence over the past two years of UAE arms supplies to the RSF, but this marks the first time UK equipment has been found in Sudan. (https://tribunemag.co.uk/2025/12/british-weapons-are-fuelling-genocide-in-sudan)

Sudan is a former British colony acquired during the so-called “scramble for Africa” in the late 19th century. The current post-colonial turmoil in Sudan cannot be properly understood without examining the history of British colonialism in the North African states of Egypt and Sudan. 

The character of British imperialism laid the groundwork for two civil wars in Sudan. The first between 1955 to 1972, reinforced the divisions which were orchestrated in the colonial period. Later, between 1983 and 2011, the second civil war in Sudan created the conditions for the partition of the continent’s largest geographic nation-state. 

Since 2011, when the Republic of South Sudan was created, both states have suffered economic, political and security crises. Internal fighting and a steep decline in the legitimacy of state institutions has hampered the capacity for rebuilding. 

The Role of the US

Since President Donald Trump reclaimed the White House in January 2025, his administration has often boasted about resolving conflicts around the world. Nonetheless, the reality of the international situation is quite different.

The US and Israel have launched two wars against the Islamic Republic of Iran which remain unresolved. In Palestine, the genocide against the people continues on a daily basis. Lebanon is routinely bombed and occupied by the settler-colonial Israeli state particularly in the southern region of the country. In Ukraine the war proceeds unabated irrespective of the statements by Trump that he could end the Russian Special Military Operation inside this Eastern European state.

Tribune Magazine published in the UK has said of the involvement of Washington in the Sudan genocide:

“The US has been the UAE’s main arms supplier over the years, providing 55 percent of major weapons deliveries according to SIPRI, followed by France at 14 percent. France has major orders from the UAE for Rafale combat aircraft and A-330 MRTT transport/tanker aircraft. But the UAE has also imported drones from Turkey, radar systems from Sweden, and various weapons from 15 other countries over the past decade. The UAE has also been developing its own domestic arms industry, and the state-owned EDGE Group is among the Top 100 arms companies worldwide.” (https://tribunemag.co.uk/2025/12/british-weapons-are-fuelling-genocide-in-sudan)

Resistance to imperialism and zionism by the Islamic Republic of Iran has been devastating to the UAE. These states such as the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia serve as bases for US imperialism and zionism in the entire West Asia region. 

Drones and long-range ballistic missiles from Iran have done severe damage to Pentagon bases in the Gulf states. In addition, multinational corporations which operate businesses in these satellite states in West Asia have lost enormous profits since the initiation of the war on February 28. 

Therefore, when the US and UK attempt to make it appear that they want to end the war in Sudan, these claims are only designed to obfuscate their role in the ongoing destabilization and underdevelopment of Africa. The imperialist states only want to maintain the exploitation of African resources and labor which has gone on for centuries much to the detriment of the majority of workers, farmers and youth in Sudan and across the continent. 

Ghalibaf Urges Iraq to Preserve its Sources of Power

By Al Mayadeen English

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf urges Iraq to preserve its internal sources of power as he holds talks with senior officials in Baghdad.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf held an extended meeting in Baghdad with Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan, according to Mehdi Rahimi, head of the Iranian Parliament’s news agency.

Rahimi said Ghalibaf conveyed to Iraqi officials Iran’s experiences in relying on domestic capabilities while facing what he described as the world’s most powerful armies. He stressed that Iraq should not abandon its sources of strength and emphasized the importance of maintaining its internal leverage.

According to Rahimi, Ghalibaf told Iraqi officials that Iran had relied on its domestic capabilities in confronting major external challenges, and highlighted the importance of Iraq drawing on its own internal resources.

“Ghalibaf confirmed that the elements of Iraq’s strength should not be abandoned and stressed the need to hold on to its internal sources of power,” Rahimi said.

Rahimi also described Iran as a “faithful adviser” to Iraq, saying this had been demonstrated during the confrontation with the ISIS terrorist organization. He added that Iraqi officials had received Ghalibaf’s proposals during his visit with openness.

Ghalibaf delegation to visit Popular Mobilization Forces HQs

Rahimi said another stop on Ghalibaf’s visit would be a visit to the headquarters of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces.

The visit comes as Ghalibaf’s delegation holds meetings with senior Iraqi officials as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad.

Meanwhile, Kian Abdollahi said that the United States had included provisions benefiting Iran in a memorandum of understanding, but that these later gave way to economic sanctions and a blockade following the failure of its war.

Abdollahi’s remarks came alongside the discussion of Ghalibaf’s visit and Iran’s broader positions on regional developments and relations with Iraq.

Wednesday's meetings, remarks

Ghalibaf arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday at the head of a parliamentary delegation, meeting with Iraqi President Nizar Amedi, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, and Parliament Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi.

During his meeting with al-Zaidi, Ghalibaf expressed Iran's determination to continue developing relations with Iraq in a manner serving the shared interests of both peoples, and praised the Iraqi government's efforts assisting Iranian pilgrims during Arbaeen. With al-Halbousi, he stressed the need to expand economic relations between the two countries to match the strength of their political and cultural ties.

Meeting with Amedi, Ghalibaf said Iran and Iraq have recognized that the United States and its policies are a principal factor behind the region's problems, linking Washington's posture in the Gulf to its reliance on military intervention and war. He said the US had suffered military and political defeat in its latest war on Iran, adding that Washington failed to achieve any of its objectives. Amedi described the war as inhumane and a violation of international rules, saying Iraq would support Iran as part of comprehensive regional security.

Ghalibaf described relations between Iran and Iraq as deeply rooted in a shared destiny between two neighboring countries, saying "past experiences will guide us toward a bright future," and expressed hope the visit would lay the groundwork for deepening bilateral relations across sectors.

A visit set against a fraught security backdrop

Ghalibaf's visit is unfolding as Iraq's government pushes toward a September 30 deadline for armed factions operating outside the official security forces to hand over their weapons or face prosecution under the country's anti-terrorism law, a deadline Kataib Hezbollah, part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has so far refused to accept.

In a statement this week, Kataib Hezbollah security official Abu Mujahid al-Assaf warned Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi against continuing "provocative raids" on the families of Resistance fighters, martyrs and the wounded, saying the group's patience was wearing thin.

He set out conditions for any government engagement on the Resistance's weapons: the complete withdrawal of American forces from Iraqi land and airspace with guarantees against their return, the withdrawal of Turkish forces occupying northern Iraq, and the dissolution of the Peshmerga, which he accused of maintaining ties to "the Zionist-American enemy."

Oil Prices Surge as Trump Threatens Economic War on Iran

By Al Mayadeen English

20 Aug 2026 20:13

Oil prices climb above $94 as Trump threatens Iran and countries trading with Tehran, raising concerns over supply disruptions and renewed inflationary pressure.

Oil prices surged more than 2% on Thursday after US President Donald Trump threatened to wage an "overwhelming economic war" against Iran and warned countries against continuing trade or providing any form of support to Tehran.

Brent crude futures, the global benchmark, rose 2.4% to around $94 a barrel in early trading, reaching their highest level since late July.

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures also climbed 2.5% to $86 a barrel.

The sharp rise followed Trump’s latest threat to intensify economic pressure on Iran, raising concerns that Washington could tighten restrictions on Iranian oil exports and further disrupt energy flows.

US pressure on Iran raises supply concerns

Market concerns are increasingly focused on the potential consequences of tighter US restrictions on Iranian oil exports.

Any further restrictions could remove additional Iranian supplies from international markets, increasing pressure on an energy market already exposed to geopolitical tensions.

The latest price movement underscores the wider economic consequences of Washington’s pressure campaign against Tehran, particularly if US measures extend to countries that maintain trade and economic relations with Iran.

The prospect of restrictions affecting Iran’s oil exports has therefore added a new source of uncertainty to global energy markets, with traders assessing the potential impact on crude supplies and prices.

Energy prices add to inflationary pressure

The renewed rise in oil prices comes as higher energy costs continue to contribute to inflationary pressure in major Western economies.

Official data released Wednesday showed annual consumer-price inflation in both the United Kingdom and the eurozone reached 2.9% in July, with energy prices contributing to the increase.

A sustained rise in crude prices could place further pressure on fuel and energy costs, potentially complicating efforts to contain inflation.

The latest market reaction therefore highlights the broader economic costs that can follow Washington’s escalation against Iran, as restrictions on energy exports risk reverberating beyond the countries directly targeted by US policy.

Yemen Targets Saudi Sites in Najran After Airspace Violation

By Al Mayadeen English

20 Aug 2026 20:14

Yemen’s Armed Forces say they struck a sensitive Saudi target at Najran Airport and Aramco in response to Saudi violations of Yemen’s airspace.

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Thursday that they carried out two military operations using unmanned aerial vehicles against Saudi targets in Najran, describing the strikes as a response to Saudi violations of Yemen’s airspace.

Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the operations targeted a sensitive Saudi site at Najran Airport and Aramco Najran. He said both operations successfully achieved their objectives.

Saree stressed that the Yemeni Armed Forces would continue to protect Yemen’s sovereignty against any violations and maintain the established equation of confronting Saudi escalation.

Yemeni Armed Forces strike Saudi targets

According to Saree, the two operations were conducted in response to the entry of Saudi drones into the airspace of Yemen’s Saada Governorate.

The announcement comes one day after the Yemeni Armed Forces declared three military equations in response to Saudi military escalation.

The first is “blockade for blockade,” the second is targeting Saudi military buildups wherever they are located, and the third is protecting Yemen’s sovereignty and confronting any violations.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have said the new equation is intended to establish a direct response to Saudi actions, linking any further escalation against Yemen to corresponding military retaliation.

The forces also said they had imposed what they described as a tight maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, asserting that Riyadh is no longer able to move a single vessel through the area.

Yemen declares response to Saudi escalation

The latest operations come amid heightened tensions between Yemen and Saudi Arabia following the collapse of the 2022 truce.

The Yemeni Armed Forces announced in July that the truce with Saudi Arabia had effectively collapsed following Saudi aggression against Sanaa Airport.

Yemen subsequently announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia under the equation of “blockade for blockade and escalation for escalation.”

The Yemeni Armed Forces said the measure followed broad popular authorization expressed through mass Friday demonstrations in Sana’a and several other Yemeni provinces.

The latest strikes therefore come as part of a broader military and political message from Sana’a: continued violations of Yemeni territory and airspace will be met with retaliatory operations against Saudi military and strategic targets.

Lavrov Accuses France of Backing Armed Groups in Africa

By Al Mayadeen English

18 Aug 2026 21:20

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accuses France of arming and financing armed groups in Africa as Moscow expands security cooperation with African states.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused France of supporting and arming armed groups in Africa, saying Paris is seeking to preserve its former influence in countries that have severed ties with the former colonial power.

Lavrov made the remarks during a joint press conference in Moscow on Monday with Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, following talks that addressed bilateral relations, security cooperation, and developments in the Sahel.

He also defended the presence of Russia’s African Corps on the continent, saying the force operates legally and at the request of the governments of the countries where it is deployed.

According to Lavrov, the African Corps carries out missions including confronting armed attacks, rejecting criticism of Russia’s military presence in Africa.

Sahel security situation deteriorating

Speaking about the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel, Lavrov accused France of working directly with armed groups, stating that Paris provides them with weapons, financing, and guidance in an attempt to preserve its influence in African countries that have moved away from the former colonial power.

The Russian minister also accused external actors of using Ukrainian military personnel in operations carried out by armed groups in the Sahel.

He said the situation goes beyond what he described as "individual terrorist attacks" and amounts to organized targeting of countries in the region.

Russia seeks stronger security ties with Ghana

Lavrov said Russia is prepared to strengthen security cooperation with Ghana, adding that Moscow is also working toward signing a cooperation memorandum with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) covering areas including security.

The talks come as several Sahel countries have sought to reshape their security partnerships following the withdrawal of French forces and growing opposition to France’s military and political role in the region.

Russia has expanded its security presence in parts of the Sahel, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, following the reduction of French military deployments.

Moscow has presented its cooperation with African governments as an alternative to the security arrangements that previously centered on France and other Western powers.

Sahel security at center of Moscow talks

The Ghanaian foreign minister said the Sahel has become a major center of armed threats and stressed the importance of international cooperation in confronting the deteriorating security situation.

The discussions in Moscow reflect the changing geopolitical landscape in West Africa, where governments have increasingly sought greater control over their security partnerships and reduced reliance on former colonial powers.

The shift has also opened space for Russia to expand political and security relations with African states, particularly as French influence has declined in parts of the region.

Lavrov has repeatedly criticized Western military and political involvement in Africa, arguing that Moscow’s partnerships with African governments are based on requests from sovereign states rather than external intervention.

Separately, Ghana’s foreign minister raised the issue of Ghanaian nationals who had joined Russian forces in the Ukraine war.

He said 62 Ghanaians had been killed, while 15 others remain missing.

Egypt Warns Ethiopia Against Controlling Nile Water Flows

By Al Mayadeen English

17 Aug 2026 19:18

Cairo rejects any Ethiopian move to control Nile flows or build dams affecting downstream states, warning of violations of international law.

Egypt has warned against any Ethiopian efforts to control the flow of the Nile River or construct additional dams that could affect the downstream states, stressing that it “will not accept or allow any party to control water flows to Egypt and Sudan.”

According to Egypt’s official state news agency, a senior Egyptian official on Sunday said remarks attributed to Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa about plans to build additional dams on the Nile and control water flows represented a continuation of Ethiopia’s “unilateral approach” and a violation of international law.

Egypt rejects unilateral control over Nile flows

The Egyptian official said declaring an intention to control the flow of a shared international river represented a “highly dangerous direction,” arguing that the issue went beyond development and amounted to an attempt to impose a fait accompli on the downstream states and exploit geographical position to control a shared water resource.

He stressed that the Nile does not belong to any single country and that its waters are governed by international legal rules regulating shared rivers. He also affirmed that Egypt has multiple means at its disposal to defend its water interests. 

The Egyptian position follows remarks by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam on August 4, in which he rejected the construction of new Ethiopian dams along the Nile if they could affect Egypt’s water rights.

GERD remains at center of Egypt-Ethiopia dispute

Sewilam’s remarks came after reports of Ethiopian plans to build three additional dams alongside the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has been at the center of a longstanding dispute between Addis Ababa on one side and Cairo and Khartoum on the other since construction began in 2011.

Egypt and Sudan are demanding a legally binding agreement governing the filling and operation of the GERD, as well as mechanisms for dealing with drought and prolonged drought, in a manner that safeguards their water rights and interests.

Ethiopia maintains that the dam is a sovereign development project intended to generate electricity and says it does not seek to harm the downstream states. Addis Ababa has continued to reject the formula proposed by Cairo and Khartoum for a binding agreement on the dam’s operation.

Disputes over the GERD have stalled trilateral negotiations for years. Talks resumed in 2023 before breaking down again in 2024 without a final settlement.

The latest escalation has once again placed water security at the center of Egyptian-Ethiopian relations, with Cairo’s concerns extending beyond the GERD to potential future Ethiopian projects that could affect the flow of the Nile toward the downstream states.

Federal Troops Clash with Opposition Forces in Somalia's Baidoa

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

17 Aug 2026 11:57

Heavy fighting erupts in Baidoa between Somalia's federal troops and armed opposition groups, with civilians reportedly killed and wounded.

Somalia's federal troops and armed opposition groups clashed in heavy fighting in central Baidoa on Monday, as violence erupted in the administrative capital of South West state, a local resident and a federal army officer told Reuters.

Baidoa is home to international peacekeepers and humanitarian agencies and is one of Somalia's largest cities, with a population of more than one million people.

The renewed fighting could further worsen the humanitarian crisis in the area. Baidoa hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced people, while one in four children living at displacement sites are severely malnourished, according to a July survey by Médecins Sans Frontières.

"Militias loyal to the former Baidoa president entered Baidoa from two sides, challenging two battalions of federal military. Fighting has intensified now," Farah Nur, a shopkeeper in the city, told Reuters.

Fighting follows federal takeover of Baidoa

Federal troops have controlled Baidoa since March, when they seized control of the city, prompting South West state leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen to resign.

Nur told Reuters that federal forces were using heavy weapons. He said he had seen at least two civilians killed inside their homes by stray bullets, while several other injured people were being taken to hospital.

Hassan Mohamed, Laftagareen's spokesperson, said in a Facebook post that their forces had captured Baidoa and called on federal troops to surrender. 

"The armed militias attacked Baidoa this morning, we are pushing them back....there are casualties as stray bullets enter houses," Captain Osman Abdullahi, a Somalia federal military officer, told Reuters.

Somalia's internal divisions deepen amid growing foreign presence in 'Somaliland'

The fighting in Baidoa comes as Somalia remains deeply divided, with the self-declared Somaliland administration maintaining a separate political and security structure in the north despite Mogadishu's rejection of its claims to independence. The dispute has contributed to Somalia's wider political fragmentation, while growing foreign military and strategic involvement risks further complicating efforts to preserve the country's territorial integrity.

Against this backdrop, construction at Berbera Airport in Somaliland, underway since October 2025, has reportedly expanded beyond civilian infrastructure, with satellite imagery indicating the gradual emergence of a potential military installation, according to an analysis by French daily Le Monde.

Berbera's strategic location on the Gulf of Aden, near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, has made it increasingly important to foreign powers seeking a foothold along a vital maritime corridor. Dubai-based DP World has maintained a longstanding commercial presence through its involvement in Berbera Port, while Le Monde reported that the airport expansion could ultimately serve US and Israeli strategic interests.

For Mogadishu, developments of this kind add another layer to an already complex security environment, particularly as the federal government seeks to assert authority across the country. Somaliland authorities and the Somali federal government have not publicly responded to the claims reported by Le Monde.

The reported expansion has also drawn warnings from Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who accused "Israel" of seeking a foothold in Somalia and warned that his movement would act against Israeli activity on Somali soil. Such developments underscore how Somalia's internal divisions are increasingly intersecting with broader regional rivalries around the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

'This Star is for Africa' - Angélique Kidjo on Making Hollywood Walk of Fame History

"We Africans just don't know what we've given to the world," Angélique Kidjo said at the ceremony

Five-time Grammy award winner Angélique Kidjo, who made history on Tuesday to become the first African musician to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has told the BBC she wants to dedicate the accolade to the continent of her birth.

"This star is for all the continent of Africa. Because if I was not African, would I be here?" said the 66-year-old musical icon from Benin.

She reiterated her message, made at the ceremony in Los Angeles to mark her four-decade career, about the importance of Africans to the world of music.

"Without the blues brought by the slaves in America, there's no R&B, there's no rock and roll, there's no soul music, there's no jazz. All of it comes from Africa."

Angélique Kidjo's secret to success: Being hangry

Kidjo told BBC Focus on Africa TV that Africans themselves needed to appreciate what they had given the world, and nurture talent at home.

"Let's celebrate our artists in their own right on the continent. Let's give them visibility, strength, because music creates economy," she said.

Most African artists - besides mega stars who have a global fanbase - struggle to make a living as they rarely get paid the royalties they are owed.

"We need to recognise our artists and create a system for them to make money on their continent and to participate also in creating jobs."

As her illustrious career was immortalised in Los Angeles, Kidjo became emotional - wiping away tears.

"At that moment, I'm like, dad, mum, I wish you were here with me to see [this]" the songstress explained to the BBC.

"I couldn't take the emotion. They were not here to taste the fruit of what they've created. How they have nurtured my curiosity, my love for music."

Kidjo - who has taken African sounds to global audiences, blending influences from home with funk, jazz and pop - grew up in Benin and then went to Paris aged 23, citing oppression from the country's then-communist government.

At her Walk of Fame ceremony, she was joined by other family, friends and stars such as Hollywood actors Willem Dafoe and Djimon Hounsou, who is also from Benin, and Nigerian musician Adekunle Gold.

The gathering was filled with singing and dancing in celebration of her career, which has included collaborations with big names such as Burna Boy, John Legend, Bono and Alicia Keys.

Her latest album, HOPE!!, was released earlier this year with tracks produced by Pharrell Williams, and collaborations with Ayra Starr, Quavo, Nile Rogers and Diane Warren.

Kidjo has released 18 albums in total and has been nominated for 17 Grammy awards, which she has won five times.

She also won the 2023 Polar Music Prize, and two years earlier was named as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People.

"She is without a doubt the hardest working woman in showbusiness," Dafoe said at the ceremony.

"The first time I saw Angélique perform live, I thought her music, her dancing, her commitment were incredible."

The Spider-Man star likened her energy to that of soul singer James Brown, who he called the "hardest working man in showbusiness".

"She's not only an incredible performer... songwriter and musician, but also an incredibly kind and giving person and a real deal activist."

Kidjo is a Unicef and Oxfam goodwill ambassador, and is the co-founder of the Batonga Foundation, which helps vulnerable young girls and women in Benin.

At the Los Angeles gathering she was also praised by Harvey Mason Jr, the CEO of Recording Academy - the organisation that also oversees the Grammy awards.

"She's connected cultures, she's crossed borders, she's reminded audiences everywhere that while we may come from different backgrounds, her music unites in a way that few other things can," he said.

During her interview with the BBC, the musician's phone kept ringing with those wanting to congratulate her.

"Yesterday I received the call of the president of Benin," she said.

"Today I received the call of Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records, the producer of Bob Marley, the maker of U2 and so on and so forth."

Kidjo explained how fundamental Blackwell, who signed her in the 1990s, had been to her success - launching her breakthrough album Logozo.

"I said to him at that moment… 'Can I do the music I want to do and keep my cultural identity without anyone imposing any other music on my shoulder?' He said… 'It's no brainer.'"

Kidjo joins Charlize Theron, a white South African actress, in representing Africa on the Walk of Fame, which comprises more than 2,800 stars.

She said she was amazed to hear a year ago that she had been nominated for a Hollywood star, telling Focus on Africa she did not believe the news given to her by her husband until she said she had seen it on the BBC.

And when asked about the significance of becoming the first African musician with a star, she replied: "Changes that last take time."

Cameroon’s President Biya Returns After a Long Stay Abroad Raises Health Concerns

Cameroon's President Paul Biya, of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement party, waits to cast his vote during the presidential elections, Oct. 7, 2018, in Yaounde, Cameroon. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File)

By NALOVA AKUA

2:36 PM EDT, August 20, 2026

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — President Paul Biya returned Thursday to Cameroon after staying abroad for more than two months, which had raised concerns about the 93-year-old leader’s health and a possible power vacuum in the Central African country.

Biya arrived at the international airport in the capital, Yaoundé, aboard a flight from Geneva, Switzerland, after more than 10 weeks away.

The world’s oldest president, who has led Cameroon since 1982, began his eighth term in office in November after winning a widely disputed election in October.

Biya had left the country on June 7 for what his office described as “a brief private stay in Europe,” but it became the longest recorded absence of his presidency.

The health of the president has long been a topic of speculation as he spends significant time in Europe, including France and Switzerland, where he often spends weeks while leaving governance to key party officials and family members.

Cameroon’s constitution does not specifically prohibit a president from leaving the country for months. But without a vice president, an appointment Biya has full control over, the opposition has described the country as being run on “autopilot.”

Biya’s close collaborators were at the airport on Thursday, but he was not shown descending from the plane and held no briefings. He was seen waving to supporters from his vehicle.

The results of Biya’s nearly half-century in power have been mixed. Armed insurgencies by Boko Haram in the north and separatists in the west, along with a stagnant economy, have left many young people disillusioned with the leader.

The president’s reelection last year sparked widespread protests that left at least 16 people dead, according to government figures, signaling significant tensions between the mostly young population and its aging leader.

After a 2008 constitutional amendment abolished term limits, Biya has now led Cameroon longer than most of its citizens have been alive: More than 70% of the country’s population of nearly 30 million people is below the age of 35.

In April, Cameroon’s parliament reinstated the vice president’s post, a move criticized by the opposition as a power grab because Biya can appoint and dismiss the deputy at will and determine which powers the office can exercise.

A Miami Restaurateur Was Among the 7 People Killed in a Kenya Helicopter Crash

By DAVID FISCHER

5:21 PM EDT, August 20, 2026

MIAMI (AP) — The family of a Miami restaurateur say they are “devastated and heartbroken” after he and six others were killed by a safari helicopter crash in a remote part of northern Kenya.

A helicopter crashed Wednesday morning while flying from the Loisaba Conservancy to the Ewaso Nyiro area in Samburu County, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Roger Duarte, founder and owner of George Stone Crab, was identified by family members as a passenger. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, officials said. The U.S. State Department said five of those killed were U.S. citizens.

“The magnitude of this tragedy is impossible to comprehend, and there are no words to express the depth of our pain,” the statement from Duarte’s family said. “We ask that you keep them all and everyone who loved them in your prayers.”

The statement also named the five other passengers and the pilot.

Among those killed were an executive with Telemundo, the U.S.-based Spanish-language network owned by NBCUniversal, and the director of Ecuador’s national intelligence service.

José Suárez was the president and general manager of the Telemundo-owned stations in Orlando, Tampa and Fort Myers, Florida. Telemundo and NBCUniversal executives called Suárez a deeply respected leader and beloved friend in a memo sent to staff and obtained by The Associated Press

“José was an exceptional colleague and mentor to many,” the message said. “He cared deeply about his teams, the communities they served and the essential role our stations play in people’s lives. He brought energy, humor, warmth and a strong sense of purpose to his work, and his impact was felt far beyond the stations he led.”

Michele Sensi-Contugi, director of the Ecuador’s National Intelligence Center, died in the crash, along with his wife, fashion designer Stephany Hollihan.

“In this moment of deep sorrow, the government extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and close associates,” Ecuador’s presidency said in a statement posted on X.

Sensi-Contugi, a friend and close associate of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, and Hollihan were visiting Kenya as tourists. She was a U.S. and Ecuadorian citizen. They are survived by their two children.

The last two passengers were identified as Adam Hlavaty and Henry Parra, a South Florida married couple. Hlavaty was a real estate executive and co-founder of a development company called MRKT Group. Parra co-founded and helped manage an aviation maintenance company for nearly three decades after serving in the U.S. Navy as an aviation support tech.

Parra’s former company said in a statement that he was a builder in every sense of the word.

“Henry was also deeply committed to the Miami community, generously supporting charitable organizations and initiatives that created opportunities for others and strengthened the city he called home,” the statement said.

The pilot was identified as Josh Outram, founder of Africa Heli Adventures. A conservation group called Save the Elephants posted their condolences on Facebook.

“Josh worked briefly with Save the Elephants as one of our dedicated and experienced fixed wing pilots, and we are deeply saddened by his passing,” a post said.

The helicopter crashed in a rugged area in the foothills of Mount Ololokwe, a popular tourist destination in the country, local media reported. The helicopter, owned by local company Lady Lori Helicopters, was carrying guests with travel company &Beyond. Lady Lori Helicopters said in a statement that the aircraft was operating a charter flight when it crashed.

Tropic Air Kenya, a local safari operator, said in a statement that it dispatched two of its helicopters to aid search and rescue operations.

The aviation authority said the aircraft was a Eurocopter EC130 B4.

Helicopter crashes have happened with increasing regularity in Kenya, which has a vibrant tourism industry that depends on domestic carriers to ferry visitors to distant places like Mount Ololokwe.

In February, a legislator was among six people who died after a helicopter crash in a hilly area of western Kenya.

Boat Capsizes in Northwestern Nigeria, Leaving Dozens of People Dead

By IBRAHIM GARBA and MOHAMMED IBRHAIM

3:02 PM EDT, August 20, 2026

SOKOTO, Nigeria (AP) — A boat capsized Thursday in a river in Nigeria ’s northwestern Sokoto state, leaving at least 47 people dead, officials and residents said.

The boat was carrying more than 80 people, most of whom were heading to farms for work in Gorau town in the Goronyo local government area of the state, officials said.

Abdulkadir Yusuf, Sokoto state manager at the National Inland Waterways Authority, said the death toll was 47 people “so far.”

Resident Samaila Garba, 55, said his 13-year-old granddaughter, Jamila Usman, was among those who died in the capsizing. He said he had counted at least 42 bodies of victims, most of them women and children. “You know, during the rainy season, most women and children go to the farm to work,” he told The Associated Press.

Another resident, Aminu Dan Hajiya, said he goes to his farm using the same waterway and he considers himself lucky to not have been on the boat. “In fact, almost every household in the community has been affected,” he said.

Usman Yusuf, a community leader in Gorau, said more than 80 passengers had boarded the boat. He said 41 people have been buried so far.

Deadly boat accidents are common in Nigeria, especially during the rainy season. A lack of enforcement of safety regulations allows faulty boats without life jackets to operate in the country. In January, at least 25 people were killed in Yobe state in a similar accident.

Mohammed Ibrahim reported from Kaduna, Nigeria. Tunde Omolehin contributed to this report.

Thousands of Migrants in Ceuta Wait in Limbo While Spain Figures Out What to Do with Them

By ANTONIO SEMPERE and SUMAN NAISHADHAM

5:12 PM EDT, August 20, 2026

CEUTA, Spain (AP) — For weeks, migrants in the Spanish territory of Ceuta had gathered on a beach away from the city center, sleeping on cardboard sheets, under reed huts and guarding their few possessions in tattered plastic bags.

They were gone by Thursday morning after Spanish police escorted them to makeshift shelters. But an hour later, other migrants were combing through the trash they had left behind for anything useful: an abandoned mattress, plastic chairs, sheets, a scrap of tarp.

The scene exemplified the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, where up to 10,000 migrants remain in the city weeks after more than 72,000 migrants poured into the small Spanish territory neighboring Morocco. Three weeks later, Spanish authorities were struggling to shelter and attend to those who refused to leave — or even determine how many migrants were still in the city of 84,000.

Within days of the initial border rush, in which at least 90 people died, most migrants went back to Morocco, realizing the difficulties of staying in Ceuta and their slim chances of reaching mainland Europe. But thousands remained, hiding in the woods, on beaches and outside a migrant reception center.

City officials estimate that 9,000 to 10,000 migrants — including about 2,000 minors — could still be in the city, based on the number of daily food rations handed out by aid groups. Spain’s interior ministry puts the figure at roughly 5,000 people.

The U.N. refugee agency highlighted large humanitarian and operational challenges in Ceuta in an interview with The Associated Press, specifically around migrants’ access to shelter, basic services and food. While most of those who crossed in late July are from Morocco, people from war-torn Sudan, Mali and Yemen also reached the Spanish exclave.

The U.N. refugee agency urged Spanish authorities to start processing their asylum claims as soon as possible, estimating that about 1,200 migrants in Ceuta could be eligible for international protection, according to Paula Barrachina, a spokesperson for the agency in Spain.

The Spanish government says it is working to house the remaining migrants in the city, and return a sense of normalcy to Ceuta. On Thursday, Spain’s Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration Elma Saiz said the government had secured space to accommodate 1,800 migrants in a parking lot and a military facility sometimes used for religious events. It is looking for more space to house migrants.

Even so, an Associated Press photographer on Thursday saw migrants still roaming the streets. Elsewhere, hundreds of women and minors were sheltering in makeshift centers run by locals.

Khadija Rifai, a 20-year-old woman from Morocco, acknowledged that some migrants were receiving help, but didn’t know what Spain planned to do with adults like her.

“They help the minors and the youngsters, but they haven’t found any solutions for us,” she said Wednesday.

Rifai said her life in Morocco was “normal” but in late July, she and her husband swam to the Spanish territory in search of better opportunities and healthcare. Rifai’s husband was sent back to Morocco, but she hid from authorities and stayed on. She now hopes to reunite with him and eventually move to mainland Spain, where she wants to have children.

“Even though we suffered here in Ceuta, we hope that once we reach the mainland, life will be good and we will have a house, a car, and everything we dreamed of,” Rifai said.

Discontent grows in Ceuta

Ceuta Mayor Juan Jesús Vivas accused the national government, led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, of not doing enough to control the situation.

On Thursday, Spanish police escorted several hundred migrants, mostly men, through the city’s streets to a shelter. Hours later, Vivas, a member of the center-right Popular Party, said the government’s decision to move migrants from the beach to other locations in the city did not demonstrate “a will to fix the problem.”

Spain’s migration ministry said the government has allocated 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) in emergency funds to help the city cope with the new arrivals. Speaking in Ceuta this week, Migration Minister Saiz praised the work of local organizations in Ceuta and said 4,000 meals had been distributed every day to migrants since Aug. 3.

A ministry spokesperson said the Spanish government has to process every case on an individual basis. Before that can happen, police must identify those who entered the city illegally, verify every migrant’s nationality and background, determine who qualifies for international protection and establish who must leave, either voluntarily or by force, he said.

Those who crossed await a path forward

Migrants in Ceuta say they are willing to wait out the uncertainty. Hundreds of them had gathered earlier in the week in protest on a beach in Ceuta, carrying signs reading “Asylum” alongside Spanish flags.

Mohamed Yaqoub, 18, a migrant from Chad hid for days in the woods after Spanish soldiers chased him in late July, he said. He managed to stay and wishes to someday study in France.

Getting there will not be easy. Travelers leaving Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s other territory in North Africa, are subject to exit checks at ports and airports, an obstacle for migrants who enter the territories illegally and hope to reach the European continent.

“We ask them to allow us entry and give us the necessary papers and documents,” Yaqoub told an AP photographer in a cellphone note. “The most important thing for us is to get the papers.”

___

Naishadham reported from Madrid.

DR Congo to Receive 70,000 Doses of Ebola Vaccine Used in Past Outbreaks, WHO Says

Greta Ruffino

Thu, 20 August 2026 at 10:08 am GMT-4

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is set to receive 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which has proven effective in previous Ebola outbreaks, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners said on Thursday.

The WHO said in a statement that while it's not known whether Ervebo may protect against the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, "early laboratory and animal data suggest it may provide some protection."

Ervebo is approved against the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, but not against the Bundibugyo strain driving the current outbreak.

The allocation includes 20,000 doses for a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess the vaccine's effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus, the agency said.

The remaining 50,000 doses will be administered to frontline and health workers, as recommended by WHO experts.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the approval "an important example of global solidarity in action."

He said the agency and its partners remain committed to supporting strengthened surveillance, rapid detection, quality care, community engagement and vaccination efforts to bring the outbreak under control.

The development of the outbreak

The outbreak, raging across six provinces in eastern DRC, has infected and killed people faster than any previous Ebola outbreak in history.

It is spreading around three times faster than the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, the deadliest on record, which killed more than 11,000 people.

The case fatality rate currently stands at 47.5%, rising to as high as 70% in areas where response efforts are more challenging, including North Kivu province.

Experts believe the virus began spreading from the mining town of Mongbwalu as early as February, months before authorities declared the outbreak on 15 May.

Since then, Congo has recorded more than 5,000 cases and over 2,300 deaths, making it the country's deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.

The lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the rare Bundibugyo virus has been a major challenge for frontline medics.

Most new cases have been detected among people who were not being monitored, indicating that the virus is spreading faster than efforts to track it and contributing to the high death toll.

The vaccine delivery is expected to provide a major boost to efforts to contain the outbreak.

WHO and Africa CDC Welcome the Allocation of Ebola Vaccines to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

20 August 2026 

News release 

Geneva/Addis Ababa

Last week, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) requested a release of Ervebo vaccines from the global Ebola virus disease vaccine stockpile, managed by the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG). The request was for use of the vaccine in the current Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak. Ervebo vaccine is licensed and recommended for use in outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (previously called Zaire ebolavirus). On Monday, the ICG informed the DRC government of an immediate initial release of 70 000 doses.

The allocation includes 20 000 doses for a Phase 3 clinical trial to understand the impact of the vaccine on the Bundibugyo virus, and 50 000 doses for frontline and health workers in line with the current recommendations of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).

It is not known whether Ervebo may be protective against the Bundibugyo virus in humans. Early laboratory and animal data suggest it may provide some protection. Thus, the clinical trial is expected to provide important new evidence, which is essential for policy-makers to inform future use of the Ervebo vaccine. It is key that the people offered the vaccine, in the trial and otherwise, receive information of the risks, potential benefits and limitations related to the use of the vaccine in an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus and are able to provide informed consent. 

The ICG partners are WHO, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Médecins Sans Frontières and UNICEF. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, provides funding for the stockpile.

WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) welcome the allocation of vaccines to the DRC. 

Against the backdrop of the ongoing outbreak, and based on the available evidence, WHO and Africa CDC support DRC's focus on protecting the people of DRC and using a community-led approach, which empowers communities to play a central role in the response.

Africa CDC and WHO are united in support of the Government of the DRC, to protect affected communities, save lives and bring the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak to an end, while generating the scientific evidence needed to strengthen Africa's preparedness for future outbreaks.

Note to editors

The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision was established in 1997, following major outbreaks of meningitis in Africa, as a mechanism to manage and coordinate the provision of emergency vaccine supplies and antibiotics to countries during major outbreaks. The partners and founding institutions are the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, MSF, UNICEF and WHO. The core mandate of the ICG is to make available and ensure equitable access to licensed vaccines for cholera, meningitis, yellow fever, and Ebola virus disease during outbreaks. 

Ebola vaccine stockpile: The ICG has managed the emergency stockpile of Ebola vaccine since January 2021, which was created as an additional tool to control outbreaks of Ebola virus (previously called Zaire ebolavirus). Since the establishment of ICG Ebola mechanism in 2021 until July 2026, over 56 000 doses of Ervebo vaccine have been allocated to respond to Ebola virus outbreaks in DRC. A further 167 000 doses have been used in preventive campaigns for health and frontline workers in DRC, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Uganda.

How Ebola Became the Deadliest Outbreak in DR Congo’s History

Conflict, delayed detection, and mistrust are complicating efforts to contain the virus in eastern DR Congo.

Health workers at a Samaritan’s Purse Ebola treatment centre in Bunia, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the response to the Ebola outbreak [Prosper Heri Ngorora/Al Jazeera]

By Prosper Heri Ngorora

19 Aug 2026

Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo – When three members of his hospital team died within days of treating the same patient, Dr Richard Lokudu suspected Ebola had been spreading before authorities detected the outbreak.

The patient had arrived at Mongbwalu General Hospital in Ituri Province for surgery in early April, weeks before the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officially declared an Ebola outbreak.

“Before the outbreak was declared, we discovered at the hospital that there was a patient who had been admitted on 2 April and who was due to undergo surgery performed by our team on 7 April,” Lokudu told Al Jazeera.

“Almost a month later, we recorded the deaths of the surgical assistant, the anaesthetist, and a member of the post-operative care team.”

The deaths were among the first warning signs of an Ebola outbreak that would become the deadliest in the DRC’s history.

Three months after authorities declared the outbreak, more than 4,900 confirmed cases have been recorded, and more than 2,300 people have died, according to health authorities and international agencies.

The death toll has surpassed the previous record set during the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak, caused by the Zaire strain, which killed 2,299 people.

The current outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a rare form of Ebola first identified in Uganda in 2007. Unlike the Zaire strain, for which vaccines and some treatments have been developed, there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific approved therapies for Bundibugyo.

Health workers are relying on early detection, supportive care, infection-prevention measures, and community engagement to limit transmission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the outbreak was first identified in Ituri Province and later spread to other areas. The agency has warned that armed conflict, population movement, and delays in identifying cases have complicated efforts to contain the virus.

For people living in affected communities, the figures represent personal losses.

“Only God cn spare us from this disaster,” says Furaha Gisèle, 35, whose uncle died of Ebola in Rwampara, about 10km (6.2 miles) from Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province.

“Coping with insecurity, poor governance, and poverty all at once is difficult, and I fear we will also suffer from this deadly epidemic.”

Health officials say transmission was already taking place before the outbreak was officially declared on May 15. By the time authorities identified the virus, it had spread through communities, allowing chains of infection to grow before response teams were fully deployed.

WHO said the outbreak was initially concentrated in Mongbwalu Health Zone in Ituri before expanding to other provinces.

Racing against transmission

The DRC has recorded Ebola outbreaks since 1976, and has developed extensive experience responding to the disease.

But in Ituri, health workers say experience alone cannot overcome the challenges they face: conflict, difficult terrain, delayed detection, and mistrust among some communities.

Congolese authorities have acknowledged that delays in identifying cases contributed to the spread of the virus.

Professor Pierre Akilimali, head of the DRC’s Ebola response, says laboratory capacity has expanded in Ituri since the outbreak hit.

“When we first started, we didn’t have any laboratories. Today, we have more than 12 laboratories here in Ituri Province,” he told Al Jazeera.

He said reliance on laboratory facilities outside the province slowed confirmation of cases during the early stages of the outbreak.

Conflict and mistrust

In Ituri, Ebola response teams are operating in a province that has endured decades of armed conflict.

Armed groups have fought for influence and control over mineral-rich areas, making movement difficult and limiting access to some communities.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the continent’s public health agency, says it is supporting the response through surveillance, laboratory work, infection prevention, patient care and community engagement.

“As for Ituri, the situation is not very favourable. We are in a war zone, and the province is under a state of siege,” Dr Justus Nsio, Africa CDC’s field incident manager for the DRC’s Ebola response, told Al Jazeera.

“We are making do with what we have to show our solidarity with the communities.”

Dr Thierno Balde, WHO incident manager for Bundibugyo virus disease in the DRC, says movement between affected areas has helped the virus spread.

“The geographical spread of the outbreak is mainly linked to the uncontrolled movement of people, particularly those who are ill, between localities that are already affected and neighbouring areas,” he told Al Jazeera.

For health workers in Ituri, stopping Ebola is not only a medical challenge; it is also a race against conflict and access.

“When there are problems, particularly gunfire, nobody can hold their position,” says Dr Charles Kashindi, head of Nyakunde Hospital, nearly 40km (25 miles) southwest of Bunia.

South Sudan Steps Up Ebola Preparedness Along Porous DRC Border

By Dominic Wabwireh with other agencies

18/08 - 13:18

South Sudan

South Sudan is strengthening Ebola surveillance along its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, where heavy cross-border movement and informal routes pose challenges. UN officials and local authorities say preparedness and coordination are key to preventing the virus from entering the country.

A high-level United Nations delegation has visited Western Equatoria State to assess Ebola preparedness and strengthen cooperation with state authorities on public health, humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding.

At the Nabiapai border crossing with the Democratic Republic of Congo, health workers said hundreds of people pass through each day, with numbers surging during weekly market days.

“We screen more than 800 to 1,000 people at this border,” said Severio Peter, a frontline health worker. He said between Monday and Thursday, an average of 200 to 500 people are screened daily.

The biggest challenge, he added, is the area's “porous entries”, which can allow people to bypass official screening points.

Preparing for a possible outbreak

No Ebola cases have been confirmed in South Sudan, but authorities are stepping up surveillance amid concerns over cross-border transmission.

Western Equatoria Governor Badagbu Rimbasa said Ebola preparedness was a key issue discussed during the UN delegation's visit.

“Ebola is not yet in South Sudan, but we must do everything in our preparedness to prevent Ebola from entering South Sudan,” he said.

State Health Minister Nama Bukulu called for additional surveillance, particularly at border checkpoints, including night shifts to screen travellers arriving outside normal operating hours.

UN backs stronger coordination

UN Deputy Special Representative Ramanathan Balakrishnan said discussions with authorities focused on strengthening the partnership between the government and the UN, including the security of humanitarian operations and access to communities in need.

“We also talked about the Ebola preparedness and the support that would be expected from the state authorities,” he said.

Balakrishnan said there had been improvements in preparedness but acknowledged that more work was needed.

He expressed confidence that continued cooperation among national and state authorities, UN agencies and other partners would help South Sudan further strengthen its ability to respond if Ebola is detected.

The visit highlighted the importance of maintaining vigilance at one of the country's busiest border areas, where high population movement and unofficial crossing routes make disease surveillance particularly challenging.

DR Congo’s Itinerant Gold Miners Complicate Efforts to Track and Contain Ebola’s Spread

Poverty, refugee displacement, child labour and militia violence are exacerbating the challenge of health workers to limit this deadly contagious disease. CONSTANT SAME BAGALWA and MARK BANCHEREAU report 

People search for gold at a mining site in Iga-Barriere, Ituri province, eastern Congo, Friday August 14 2026 (AP Photo/Dieudonne Dirole))

19 August 2026

ISAAC BATISA is only a child, but he spends his days digging for gold at a mining site in Congo, hoping to earn enough money to support his family.

The 11-year-old is among hundreds of people, many of them children, working at the artisanal gold mine in eastern Congo’s Ituri province, where the country’s fast-moving Ebola outbreak is concentrated.

For Batisa, though, the disease that has killed more than 2,300 people among over 5,000 cases is not his immediate concern. He just wants to return home with some earnings, sometimes as little as $2 (£1.50) a day.

“We don’t know about Ebola here,” he said.

As the outbreak spreads and kills people faster than any previous outbreak, a major challenge for monitoring the disease is that miners are constantly on the move in hard-to-reach, unsafe territories.

The Associated Press (AP) gained rare access into one of Ituri’s largest mines, in the locality of Iga-BarriEre, where miners crowd into pits to dig for gold. Although there are no known reports of the outbreak reaching any of Congo’s mining sites, officials say it’s difficult to know the true situation in remote areas. Most new cases and deaths are reported among groups not being monitored, they say.

Health measures

Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or through contaminated objects and surfaces. However, measures to limit the spread, such as regular handwashing and social distancing, are not followed at the artisanal mining sites. Here gold extraction is carried out by workers using basic hand-tools such as shovels and pans. Many of the mines are illegal, with miners deliberately evading local authorities.

The Bundibugyo virus that has caused the current outbreak in Congo is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, which is complicating the response, because there are no specific treatments or vaccines.

In parts of the east, including Ituri, artisanal gold mining draws a highly mobile workforce as miners travel across villages in search of gold and related work while small-scale traders travel between mining areas and population centres to trade the precious metal.

But that constant movement is also making Ebola harder to contain, complicating efforts to find infected people and trace those who may have been exposed, said Mari Ndika, an Ebola response worker involved in disease monitoring.

“Artisanal miners may come into contact with several communities as they move from one place to another [which] can facilitate the transmission of the virus if a person is infected,” she said.

Lost contacts

Health workers recently lost track of two miners who had been identified as Ebola contacts after they moved to another mining site, according to Anna Ndroy Kansime, a community worker who educates people about the disease.

“They left for a destination that, to this day, remains unknown,” said Kansime.

The danger is particularly acute because health authorities are already struggling to keep up with the virus. People can become infected in one place and travel elsewhere before monitoring teams know they have been exposed, potentially creating new chains of transmission that are difficult to trace.

Complicating the effort, there is no reliable system for registering mine workers and tracking their movements, Kansime said.

Rebel violence

The minerals in eastern Congo, not only gold but also coltan, tin and tungsten, have been a source of decades-long conflict and of economic opportunities for its residents.

The 11-year-old Batisa said his parents and two of his brothers were killed in an attack by Congolese rebels. He now lives with his aunt together with five siblings, and said he was encouraged to work at the mine by his aunt, whom AP was unable to reach for comment.

More than 100 militant and other armed groups operate in eastern Congo, including the Allied Democratic Forces, affiliated with the Islamic State group, and the CODECO militia in Ituri. Fighting has displaced large numbers of people and deepened the poverty that drives families toward artisanal mining.

About two million people work in artisanal and small-scale mining across Congo, according to a 2024 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. There is no reliable recent estimate of how many are children like Batisa.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) estimates that 15 per cent of children aged from five to 17 in Congo are engaged in child labour.

In Ituri province, where conflict has uprooted families and where jobs are scarce, the mines offer the possibility of cash, however dangerous the work.

At the Iga-Barriere site, the search for gold takes miners beneath the earth through shafts that can extend dozens of metres underground. Tunnels are dug largely by hand, often with little reinforcement. Above ground, others work in open pits, digging through and sorting earth in search of gold.

Lack of protection

Children work alongside adults. Pregnant women can also be found in the open pits, sometimes late into their pregnancies, Kansime said.

Singoma Aime, a 36-year-old miner, said they lack adequate protection in their work at the sites. “We especially need hand-washing facilities because everyone comes from home to work at the site,” Aime said.

The outbreak unfolding across six provinces in eastern Congo is already the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history. It is on track to become history’s deadliest if it surpasses the 2014-16 west Africa Ebola outbreak that killed more than 11,000 people.

Nearly 5,000 people have been infected by the disease in Congo, including 2,325 deaths, with Ituri accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the cases. Experts believe the virus was spreading in the mining town of Mongbwalu as early as February, months before authorities declared the outbreak on May 15.

Last week, the Mercy Corps aid group warned that Ebola cases have been reported along a major travel route about 35 kilometres from Congo’s border with South Sudan, expressing concern over the outbreak’s “widening footprint.”

Its speed remains “extremely concerning” as it outpaces efforts to track and slow it, Trish Newport, emergency coordinator with humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, told AP.

“We see family members that come in who have had 15 people in their family die. We rapidly need to scale up to be able to prevent more deaths from happening, more families and communities from being impacted,” she said.

According to Ndika, the response worker, that includes educating miners about prevention and working with local authorities, mine managers and communities to identify and track suspected cases.

But challenges remain, including impassable roads, the presence of armed groups and the movement of people displaced by violence. It’s also not easy to slow down the miners as they move around, Kansime said.

“For many families, gold is what pays for food,” she added.