|
Namrata L Ghanghatkar and Urja Kudalkar
9 October 2026 |
Congo's Ebola crisis:
Over 4,000 dead and first fatality confirmed in Kenya
On 07 October, Reuters and other major sources reported that an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo had infected more than 8,000 people and killed over 4,000, making it the second largest Ebola outbreak on record. Caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment, the outbreak was declared in May after starting in Ituri province and has since spread to seven provinces in the country's north and east. Uganda recorded 20 cases and two deaths before being declared Ebola-free, and a doctor who returned to France in June tested positive, with no further spread. Kenya became the fourth country linked to the outbreak after a Kenyan citizen who had lived in Congo for seven years died in Nairobi, exposing weaknesses in border screening. The Médecins Sans Frontières organisation warned of an "alarming surge" in North Kivu province, which now accounts for 40 per cent of new cases, likening the response to "fighting a megafire." Butembo, home to around two million people, has only four treatment centres. Armed conflict, mistrust of authorities, violence against health workers, strikes by unpaid health workers, misinformation, and aid cuts have hindered the response, while the UN reported that soldiers burned an Ebola-hit camp near Bunia, forcing 19,000 people to flee. The WHO recommended against travel restrictions and is supporting Kenya's contact tracing and surveillance.
Ethiopia's Tigray conflict escalates:
As government forces enter Mekelle and rebels withdraw
On 03 October 2026, Reuters and other major news reported that pro-government forces reportedly retook the airport in Mekelle, the regional capital of Tigray, amid renewed fighting with Tigrayan forces. The clashes marked a serious escalation of tensions following the civil war that lasted from 2020 to 2022. Government forces advanced towards the city as Tigrayan fighters reportedly abandoned their positions. Tigrayan rebels subsequently withdrew from Mekelle as government forces entered the city. The developments marked a significant shift in control of the regional capital. However, the withdrawal does not necessarily indicate that the wider conflict has ended. Concerns remain over further clashes, civilian safety and the disruption of essential services. The renewed violence highlights unresolved tensions following the November 2022 Pretoria peace agreement, which ended the previous large-scale war. Disputes over territories, the return of internally displaced people, political representation and the disarmament of Tigrayan forces remain significant challenges. Continued fighting could undermine the peace process and deepen the humanitarian crisis. It also raises concerns about stability across the Horn of Africa, where regional rivalries add to existing security challenges. The latest developments underline the fragility of the peace agreement and the need for renewed political engagement to prevent further escalation.
About the authors
Namrata L Ghanghatkar and Priyanka Makhijani are postgraduate students at the Department of Public Policy, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences. They are currently Research interns at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru.
