Central Africa in May 2026: the most important developments in society
In Central Africa in May 2026, an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo dominated events. Congo confirmed the outbreak in mid-May, and on 17 and 18 May the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency over the outbreak in Congo and Uganda. The strain involved is the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccine is available. The disease reached the city of Goma, and Rwanda closed its border with Congo. A first case was confirmed in South Kivu province, a rebel-held area far from the outbreak's centre. Reported deaths stood at between 120 and 136 around 20 May. By 24 May the potential death toll had topped 200 and cases in the east had climbed above 900. The WHO said the risk was high in the region but low worldwide, then raised the national risk level to very high and later to its highest.
The response met resistance. On 22 May, protesters angry about the outbreak response burned Ebola hospital tents and a treatment centre, and another centre was burned by 24 May, when 18 patients fled. Three Red Cross volunteers died of suspected Ebola. Congo announced three new treatment centres in the Ituri region, suspended passenger flights to Bunia, and a ban on gatherings was imposed in affected areas. UN agencies stepped up their response, the WHO sent medical supplies, and Norway sent millions to fight the outbreak. Growing resistance was hampering the work at month end.
The outbreak also reached beyond the region. US media reported at least six Americans had been exposed, and a US doctor infected in Congo was to be treated in Germany, with the doctor's family flown to a Berlin hospital. Elsewhere, at least 28 people were killed in a gold mine collapse in Angola. President Emmanuel Macron, visiting Kinshasa, said the centre of the French language lies in Congo rather than Paris.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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