AGP Executive Report

Ebola R&D Surge: CEPI is fast-tracking three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates (from IAVI, Moderna, and Oxford, with Serum Institute of India set to manufacture Oxford’s) as the DRC outbreak grows, while WHO also recommends new preventive options including a trial of a 10-day exposed-people pill strategy. Ebola Treatment Access: In the current outbreak, the U.S. confirmed high-risk exposed Americans can access an experimental antibody therapy (MBP-134), highlighting how fast countermeasures are moving from labs toward real-world use. Sudan Food Tech & Resilience: The African Development Bank and WFP launched an $87m BOOST project to strengthen Sudan’s agrifood systems, restore farm production, cut post-harvest losses, and boost incomes in Sennar and Blue Nile. AI Power Reality Check: A new discussion warns African AI plans can’t ignore electricity and water demands for data centers—policy talk needs infrastructure planning. Education in Sudan: Sudan’s 2025/26 eighth-grade national exam began June 3–5 across hundreds of centers, including special-needs and Kassala locations.

Ebola response in Africa: CEPI has fast-tracked three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates (from IAVI, Moderna, and Oxford) for the DRC–Uganda outbreak, as WHO’s emergency push grows and researchers also test a preventive antiviral pill approach after exposure. Sudan tech & health context: A Sudan-related note in the coverage highlights how past outbreaks and regional preparedness shape what’s being tried now, while HHS confirmed an experimental Ebola antibody treatment (MBP-134) for Americans with high-risk exposures. Water & infrastructure pressures: Egypt reiterated rejection of unilateral moves on Nile waters and pointed to cooperation with Japan on water management tech—an issue that directly affects Sudan’s water security amid war and climate volatility. Energy & solar supply: Tunisia’s sharp rise in Chinese solar panel imports (up 700% year-on-year) shows how fast regional clean-energy supply chains are shifting, with Sudan listed among Arab importers. Governance & conflict tech: Reporting frames Sudan as a “live laboratory” for autonomous drones and AI surveillance, underscoring the tech race inside the conflict. Education: Sudan’s eighth-grade national exams began June 3–5, with science included and thousands of students across hundreds of centers.

Ebola Response: WHO-backed work is accelerating around the Congo outbreak, including a first test of an antiviral pill for post-exposure prevention and new vaccine funding for the rare Bundibugyo strain, while reporting warns that early diagnostic gaps let cases spread unnoticed. Sudan Tech & Conflict: A new report frames Sudan as a “live laboratory” for autonomous drones and AI surveillance, highlighting governance gaps as drone attacks continue across Darfur and Kordofan. Sudan Peace Talks: A Nairobi-launched peace roadmap proposes a monitored ceasefire and state reform track, while seeking to exclude key Islamist leaders from politics and security-sector change. Water & Climate Resilience: Coverage spotlights how war and climate volatility are worsening Sudan’s water crisis, with regional river disputes and weakened institutions making floods and drought harder to manage. Health Systems at Borders: Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the US is expanding airport health surveillance, explicitly including travelers linked to DRC, Uganda, and Sudan. Education: Sudan’s eighth-grade national exam begins June 3–5, with science among tested subjects. Energy & Solar Imports: Tunisia’s surge in Chinese solar panel imports is noted, with Sudan listed among Arab importers.

Ebola Vaccine Push: CEPI says three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines are getting funding, with candidates from IAVI, Moderna and Oxford (Serum Institute to manufacture the Oxford version), as Congo’s outbreak grows and no licensed vaccine exists yet. Sudan Water Under Strain: A new report links Sudan’s worsening water crisis to war damage, climate volatility, GERD-related flooding and drought risks, and weakening regional water governance—turning water into a driver of instability. Health Monitoring at Borders: The US plans enhanced airport surveillance and testing ahead of the FIFA World Cup, explicitly including travelers connected to DRC, Uganda and Sudan. Housing for Displaced People: UNHCR-backed analysis argues housing delivery for displaced families needs transdisciplinary, inclusive approaches that treat people as co-creators, not just beneficiaries. Solar Supply Surge: Tunisia’s Chinese solar panel imports jumped 700% year-on-year, with Sudan listed among Arab importers—an energy-tech signal for the region. Education in Sudan: Sudan’s 8th-grade national exam starts June 3–5, covering Math, English, Civic Education and Science across hundreds of centers.

Ebola Vaccine Push: CEPI-backed work is accelerating on three investigational Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccines for the DRC–Uganda outbreak, with Serum Institute of India set to manufacture the Oxford candidate and Moderna/IAVI/Oxford also in the mix. Clinical Trial Breakthrough: A phase 1 leishmaniasis vaccine is preparing to start in the coming months, aiming to tackle cutaneous leishmaniasis that affects up to 1 million new cases yearly. Sudan Water Under Pressure: A new analysis links Sudan’s worsening water crisis to war damage, climate-driven floods and drought, GERD-related tensions, and weakening regional water governance—turning water into a driver of instability. Ebola Preparedness Warning: Reporting highlights diagnostic gaps that let the Bundibugyo strain spread undetected for weeks, underscoring uneven pandemic readiness. Sudan War Tech & Info: Coverage describes Sudan’s conflict as a “live laboratory” for autonomous drones and AI surveillance, alongside intense SAF/RSF propaganda battles shaping what people see and believe. Climate Adaptation Funding: GEF approved new LDCF/SCCF projects, including support for Sudan, to strengthen flood and water security and disaster preparedness. Local Development Planning: A Sudan-linked district development commissioner meeting reviewed village works under Vibrant Village Programme-II, including infrastructure and livelihood priorities.

Ebola Response in Africa: Congo and Uganda’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is widening, with early diagnostic gaps letting cases circulate undetected; WHO and partners are pushing experimental therapeutics and vaccine work, while CEPI backs three prospective vaccines with major new funding. Sudan Tech & Security: Sudan’s war is being treated like a “live laboratory” for autonomous drones, AI-assisted surveillance, and open-source monitoring—raising urgent governance concerns as the AU’s peace framework struggles to regulate these tools. Climate Resilience Funding: GEF adaptation finance approved new LDCF/SCCF projects worth $67M+ for Sudan and other vulnerable countries, targeting flood/coastal risks, food and water security, and disaster preparedness. Health in Conflict: HRW warns that attacks on hospitals and health workers continue a decade after UN Security Council Resolution 2286, with 2,546 incidents recorded in 2025 across 33 countries. Sudan Information War: Reports describe SAF vs RSF propaganda battles across broadcast and cyberspace, making truth harder to find amid disinformation and censorship.

Sudan Tech & Security: A new analysis says Sudan’s war is becoming a “live laboratory” for autonomous drones, AI-assisted surveillance, and open-source intelligence—while the African Union lacks a framework to govern these tools safely. Sudan Conflict Tech on the Ground: Reports also describe fresh drone attacks across Darfur and Kordofan, including a strike on a market in Kabum that killed civilians, as propaganda and tribal tensions intensify. Ebola R&D (Regional Health Tech): As Congo and Uganda face a widening Ebola outbreak driven by Bundibugyo virus, WHO and partners are pushing experimental therapeutics and fast-tracking vaccine work; CEPI announced about $62M to support Bundibugyo vaccine development, including Moderna’s mRNA candidate. Health in Conflict: Human Rights Watch warns that attacks on hospitals and health workers continue a decade after UN Security Council Resolution 2286, highlighting accountability gaps. Climate Resilience Funding: GEF approved over $67M for Sudan and other vulnerable countries to strengthen resilience, including food and water security and disaster risk reduction.

Ebola Vaccine Push (DRC/Uganda): CEPI is urgently funding three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidates (up to ~$62M total), including Moderna’s mRNA program, to speed preclinical work and early human testing as cases rise and there are still no licensed tools for this strain. Ebola Treatment Trial (Prevention): WHO-backed plans also include a 10-day post-exposure pill trial (obeldesivir) to protect people after exposure—an attempt to slow spread when vaccines aren’t yet available. Sudan Conflict Tech (Air Defense): OSINT group Misbar says it tracked the first appearance in Sudan of a Turkish-made HİSAR-A air defense system after RSF claimed it destroyed a SAF unit in Omdurman. Sudan Media Oversight: Sky Group ended joint ownership of Sky News Arabia, handing full control to UAE’s IMI amid renewed scrutiny of Sudan war coverage. Maternal Health in Conflict: A report highlights how conflict and displacement make childbirth dangerously risky, with one birth happening in a street in a refugee camp. Academic Leadership (Qatar): Georgetown University in Qatar appoints Prof. Clyde Wilcox as acting dean, signaling continued research-focused campus leadership.

Ebola Vaccine Push: CEPI is urgently accelerating development of three investigational Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines for the DRC outbreak, with about $62m to support manufacturing and testing, while noting it may take months before Bundibugyo-specific clinical trials can start. mRNA Tech in Focus: Moderna is set to receive up to $50m for early-stage work on an mRNA Bundibugyo candidate, using the same platform behind its COVID-19 efforts. Treatment Gap: WHO guidance highlights that, unlike Zaire-strain Ebola, Bundibugyo currently has no licensed vaccines or treatments, so health teams are also preparing experimental options including antibodies, antivirals, and post-exposure pill trials. AI Integrity Watch: OSINT and tech leaders are pushing for stronger ways to mark AI-made media, with new efforts to embed identifiers across major platforms to help investigators and journalists verify authenticity. Sudan Tech & Conflict Signals: OSINT reporting tracks the first known appearance of Turkey’s HISAR-A air defense system in Sudan, underscoring how drones and imported systems are shaping the battlefield. Media Ownership Shift: UAE IMI has taken full control of Sky News Arabia amid scrutiny over its Sudan war coverage, raising questions about editorial independence.

Sudan Conflict Tech & Air Defense: MISBAR says RSF footage shows the first known use in Sudan of Turkey’s HISAR-A air defense system, highlighting how drones and long-range weapons are reshaping the SAF–RSF fight. Ebola Prevention Breakthrough: WHO-backed research is testing a 10-day antiviral pill plan as post-exposure protection for Ebola contacts, alongside other vaccine and treatment efforts as the DRC outbreak grows. Sudan Media & Information Control: Sky News Arabia’s ownership shifts fully to UAE-based IMI, amid renewed scrutiny over how Sudan’s war is covered and claims of downplaying RSF violations. Sudan War Accountability: A Human Rights Watch report alleges Colombian mercenaries trained at UAE bases are fueling atrocities in Sudan, adding to accusations of Emirati support for the RSF. Ancient Sudan Under Threat: An international satellite-based archaeology team reports 260 communal burial sites in Eastern Sudan, but warns an active gold rush and civil strife are destroying monuments fast.

Sudan Conflict & Accountability: A new Human Rights Watch report says Colombian mercenaries fueling Sudan’s war were trained and deployed through Emirati military bases, adding to allegations of UAE complicity in Darfur-era atrocities. Ebola Vaccine Science: Chinese scientists report a broad-spectrum mRNA Ebola vaccine designed to protect against multiple strains, including Bundibugyo, aiming to close gaps left by current vaccines that mainly target Zaire. Ebola Response Under Strain: Coverage highlights how the DRC and Uganda are racing to contain a Bundibugyo outbreak with limited tools, while WHO warns of a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict.” Ancient Sudan Heritage at Risk: Using satellite tech, archaeologists identified 260 communal burial sites in Eastern Sudan’s Atbai Desert, but warn an aggressive gold rush and unrest could destroy them in days. Food Security Pressure: UN World Food Programme chief Cindy McCain says the agency is feeding fewer people than needed due to a major funding shortfall tied to both U.S. and global aid pullbacks. Tech & Security Policy Spillover: EU discussions point to adding more “shadow fleet” tankers and expanding sanctions to banks, traders, refineries, and crypto operators used to bypass restrictions.

Ebola Vaccine Race: Chinese scientists report a broad-spectrum mRNA Ebola vaccine aimed at multiple strains, including Bundibugyo, addressing a key gap where current licensed shots mainly target Zaire. Ebola Response Under Pressure: WHO and partners are pushing fast treatment and vaccine trial planning as the DRC outbreak linked to Bundibugyo grows, with experts warning that science may not be enough amid conflict and attacks on health services. Sudan Humanitarian Reality: A Human Rights Watch-linked report alleges Colombian mercenaries trained in UAE bases were deployed to support RSF in Sudan, adding to scrutiny of foreign involvement as displacement and violence continue. Ancient Sudan, Modern Threats: Using satellite tech, archaeologists say they found 260 communal burial enclosures in Eastern Sudan—but warn an active gold rush and unrest are destroying sites in days. Tech & Security Watch: Footage and parade displays point to Chinese fifth-generation ATGMs appearing in Sudan, highlighting fast-moving arms tech diffusion. Education Disruption: Nigeria’s school kidnappings show how insecurity is derailing learning, even as global education leaders meet abroad.

Ebola in Congo: Eastern DRC is battling a fast-rising outbreak of the rarer Bundibugyo Ebola strain, with WHO warning that there are currently no ready-made treatments or vaccines—so response teams are being pushed back to basics while potential options move into clinical trials. Public health logistics: Emirates issued an Ebola travel advisory as the US and Canada tightened entry screening for travellers linked to Uganda, showing how quickly aviation health rules can change. Sudan tech & security spillover: New reporting links UAE-based training and deployment of Colombian private military contractors to alleged RSF atrocities in Sudan, adding another layer to how foreign security services intersect with the conflict. Military tech signals: Chinese optical homing ATGMs have surfaced in Sudan (and Armenia), highlighting continued proliferation of advanced guided weapons. Water & infrastructure: Egypt’s dispute over the GERD reservoir storage capacity is reigniting, with a water expert claiming a lower figure than Addis Ababa’s official number. Regional diplomacy pressure: The Abraham Accords push is again in focus, with Pakistan facing renewed pressure to join—an issue that also touches Sudan’s earlier normalization path.

Ebola Response in Central Africa: WHO is convening experts as the DRC’s Bundibugyo outbreak accelerates, with no specific treatments or vaccines yet and early symptoms making detection harder; Congo is also seeking access to an experimental antibody treatment while Uganda and others tighten measures. Ebola Travel & Screening: Emirates issued an Ebola travel advisory after the US and Canada tightened entry rules for travellers linked to Uganda, signaling renewed airport health checks. Public Health Pressure on Conflict Zones: WHO warns the DRC outbreak is colliding with war—bombs falling, weak contact tracing, lab delays, and shortages are undermining isolation and trust. Sudan War Accountability: Human Rights Watch alleges Colombian mercenaries trained in UAE bases were deployed to fight alongside RSF, including in El Fasher in 2025, adding to claims of UAE involvement. Water & Infrastructure Dispute: An Egyptian water expert says GERD reservoir capacity is 64 bcm, challenging Ethiopia’s 74 bcm figure and keeping Nile treaty tensions alive. UK Migration Tech Debate: New UK data questions appearance-based age assessments, with many people first labeled adults later found to be children, raising concerns as biometric facial age estimation is considered.

Ebola Response & Travel Tech: Emirates issued an Ebola travel advisory after the US and Canada tightened entry rules for travellers linked to Uganda, signaling renewed airport screening and monitoring. Health Systems Under Strain: DR Congo is seeking access to an experimental monoclonal antibody as Ebola cases and deaths rise, with WHO warning of a “catastrophic collision” of war and disease. Vaccine & Lab Push: Coverage also highlights accelerated vaccine development efforts and new research aimed at faster, broader Ebola countermeasures. Sudan War Accountability: Human Rights Watch says Colombian mercenaries accused of atrocities in Sudan were trained in UAE bases and deployed with the RSF, adding pressure on regional tech-enabled security networks. Digital Security & Internet Control: Iran’s 88-day internet shutdown partially ended, but traffic remains limited and Chinese shutdown hardware is reported to be installed—raising stakes for network resilience and governance. Policy & Rights in Tech: UK debate grows over biometric facial age estimation after data showed many “adult” assessments were later found to be children.

Sudan War Accountability: Human Rights Watch says Colombian mercenaries trained in UAE bases were deployed to fight alongside RSF, with alleged atrocities tied to the RSF seizure of El Fasher in Oct 2025—another spotlight on foreign involvement in Sudan’s conflict. Ebola Surge in Central Africa: The DRC is seeking access to an experimental multi-strain antibody as confirmed cases rise (121 confirmed, 17 deaths by May 26) while WHO warns the outbreak is colliding with war, displacement, and weak containment capacity. Ebola Response Moves: Uganda closed its border with the DRC “with immediate effect,” allowing entry only for emergencies and imposing 21-day isolation, despite WHO concerns that closures can worsen spread. Ebola Vaccine Race: Oxford-linked work is accelerating a Bundibugyo-focused vaccine candidate using the ChAdOx platform, alongside manufacturing partners, as experts stress there’s still no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain. Ethiopia Election Disruption: Ethiopia’s election on June 1 will not be held in dozens of districts in Amhara and Tigray due to insecurity, underscoring how regional conflict keeps derailing governance and development. AI & Society: A commentary challenges AI hype by framing the debate as power politics rather than inevitable “super intelligence,” while another warns Arab women could be left out of AI-driven economies unless their voices shape policy and design.