AGP Executive Report

Ebola R&D Sprint: Oxford University says it’s developing and trialling a viral-vector Ebola vaccine for the current DR Congo outbreak, with a possible workable candidate in 2–3 months as WHO flags the risk as “very high” locally. Africa Response Surge: African health agencies and leaders are ramping up containment with nearly $500m pledged, but officials warn licensed vaccines and treatments are still missing while deaths climb. AI Antiviral Push: Southwest Research Institute is using AI-driven screening to find Bundibugyo Ebola compounds, aiming to speed up therapies for a strain with high mortality. Middle East Diplomacy Pressure: Trump is again demanding expansion of the Abraham Accords—tying Israel normalization to US-Iran talks—triggering pushback, especially from Pakistan, which says it won’t join without a Palestinian state. Iraq Export Shock: Iraq’s oil output has plunged after Strait of Hormuz disruptions, pushing Baghdad to revive northern export routes and lean more on China-linked infrastructure. Sudan War Fallout: A Reuters report says an RSF commander accused of al-Fashir atrocities was released and returned to active duty, while separate reporting points to foreign mercenary supply chains prolonging the conflict.

Ebola R&D Leap for DRC: Southwest Research Institute says it has identified nearly two dozen AI-screened drug candidates targeting the Bundibugyo strain, as the Congo outbreak resurges with reported mortality up to 40% and no approved treatments yet. Sudan War Crimes Trail: A new report links Colombian mercenaries fighting for RSF to Emirati-linked training and transit routes, adding pressure on the UAE over alleged support for atrocities. Humanitarian System Strain: A Lancet-backed assessment warns the global aid machine is “no longer fit for purpose,” citing waste, bureaucracy, and slow delivery—while Sudan’s displacement crisis keeps worsening. Diplomacy Shockwave: Trump renewed his push to expand the Abraham Accords as part of an Iran deal, but Pakistan publicly rejected joining, setting up fresh regional friction. UN Charter Under Pressure: António Guterres warned the UN’s core rules are under “profound strain” as conflicts and impunity deepen. AI and War Ethics: Pope Leo XIV called just-war theory “outdated” and urged strict ethical limits on AI-enabled warfare.

Sudan Accountability Shock: A Sudanese RSF commander tied to filmed civilian killings in al-Fashir—“Abu Lulu” al-Fateh Abdullah Idris—was reportedly released from prison and back on the battlefield, despite RSF denials and a promise of a special court trial. Regional Diplomacy Pressure: US President Trump is pushing a wider Abraham Accords-style normalization push tied to Iran talks, naming Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan—while Pakistan’s defense minister rejects joining any deal that conflicts with “fundamental ideologies.” Ebola Preparedness Gap: The DRC’s fast-moving Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is now a global health emergency, but there’s still no licensed vaccine for this strain—highlighting why past vaccine work hasn’t covered every Ebola type. Peacekeeping Squeeze: UN and non-UN peacekeeper numbers fell to the lowest in 25 years as funding shortfalls and Security Council deadlock shrink conflict-management capacity. Tech & Ethics in War: Pope Leo XIV’s new AI encyclical calls just-war theory “outdated” and demands “rigorous ethical constraints” as AI changes the nature of conflict.

Iran Peace Talks & Hormuz Pressure: Trump says US-Iran negotiations are “proceeding nicely,” but warns no deal means renewed conflict “bigger and stronger than ever,” while also pushing Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords as part of the Iran track. Diplomacy Reality Check: Iran’s team is in Doha for talks to end the war, yet US and Iranian officials are careful—signing isn’t “imminent.” Energy Shockwatch: Oil slid to a two-week low as markets bet a deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the choke point that keeps regional trade on edge. Sudan Tech/Defense Signal: Sudanese forces claim they shot down a Bayraktar Akinci UAV near Ad-Damazin using their own Akinci, underscoring how drone-to-drone tactics are shaping the conflict. Ebola R&D Push: With a Bundibugyo outbreak declared a global health emergency, UK researchers are rushing a vaccine candidate built on the same platform as the Oxford COVID jab. Africa Day Context: Multiple groups used May 25 to renew calls for sovereignty and less foreign military presence—while the continent also faces mounting water and governance strain.

State Security Budget: South Africa’s State Security Agency heads to its 2026/27 budget vote as lawmakers press for sharper intelligence work in a world of faster threats, cyber risk, and shifting geopolitics. Africa Day & Water: On 25 May, Africa Day themes are colliding with reality: the AU’s push for water sustainability meets ongoing scarcity and conflict-linked breakdowns in water systems. Ebola—Bundibugyo Focus: WHO has flagged the Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in DRC and Uganda as a public health emergency, with no licensed vaccine yet—while UK and US teams race on vaccine platforms and experimental antivirals. New Antibody Tech: A Chinese-led computational-experimental pipeline is improving pan-Ebola antibody breadth and potency, aiming to speed up response across Ebola strains. Sudan Conflict Tech: Sudan’s army says it shot down a Bayraktar Akinci UAV using its own Akinci, underscoring how drone tech is shaping the battlefield. Hunger as a Weapon: A new study tallies 20,000+ incidents of food-based violence since 2018, including attacks on markets and food distribution—again naming Sudan among the hardest hit.

Ebola Vaccine Sprint: UK scientists are rushing a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine (ChAdOx1 BDBV) using the same viral-vector platform as the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID jab, aiming for human trials in 2–3 months if animal testing holds. Ebola Response Pressure: With the Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC spreading fast and no licensed vaccine or treatment for this strain, WHO has flagged it as a major international concern while researchers and labs worldwide test experimental options, including antivirals and new vaccine approaches. Hunger as a Weapon: A new study tallies 20,000+ incidents of food-based violence since 2018, including attacks on markets and food systems—recording major hits in Sudan alongside Gaza and Yemen. Sudan Tech & Security Signals: Sudan’s Army says it shot down a Bayraktar Akinci UAV that entered from Ethiopia using its own Akinci system, underscoring how drone tech is shaping the conflict. Local Tech/Community: In Dubai, UAE officials attended a Sudan Festival highlighting Sudanese community ties—while UNESCO again flags Sudan’s shrinking media space amid war.

Ebola Response Under Strain: The WHO has escalated the Bundibugyo-driven Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda to a public health emergency of international concern, as cases and deaths climb and officials warn containment is getting harder without proven Bundibugyo vaccines or treatments. Experimental Countermeasures: Researchers and health agencies are racing ahead with experimental options, including an antiviral pill highlighted by the WHO as promising and new vaccine work that could take months to reach testing. Sudan Tech & Security Signals: In Sudan’s conflict zone, the Sudanese Army says it shot down a Bayraktar Akinci UAV that entered from Ethiopia—another reminder of how fast drone warfare is evolving. Diaspora & Community: UAE officials attended Dubai’s Sudan Festival, underscoring continued cultural ties even as the war disrupts Sudan’s media and daily life. Power & Disruption: A major blackout hit key sites in Abuja, showing how infrastructure shocks ripple through governance and services.

Drone Clash in Sudan: The Sudanese Armed Forces say they shot down a Bayraktar Akıncı UAV using its own Akıncı, after it entered Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia—an escalation that follows earlier SAF accusations of UAE and Ethiopia backing RSF operations. Diaspora & Diplomacy: UAE Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak attended Dubai’s Sudan Festival, highlighting Sudan–UAE “brotherhood” and the Sudanese community’s role in the Gulf. Ebola Alarm in Central Africa: Former CDC chief Robert Redfield warns the fast-growing Bundibugyo outbreak could spill across borders if containment slips, as WHO flags the crisis and researchers push experimental options. Press Freedom Spotlight: UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day-linked coverage spotlights Sudan’s “zone of silence,” citing destroyed media infrastructure and threats to journalists. Regional Tech/Policy Noise: A separate wave of coverage focuses on global travel controls and misinformation risks, but Sudan-specific updates were dominated by the drone incident and the Sudan Festival.

Ebola Emergency Escalates in Central Africa: The WHO has declared the DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern as cases and deaths climb, with the Bundibugyo strain now driving the spread and leaving clinicians with no proven vaccines or treatments for this specific virus. Experimental Countermeasures Move Fast: The US is expanding access to experimental therapies for an Ebola patient in Germany, while researchers report progress on an mRNA vaccine that could protect against multiple Ebola family viruses—though timelines remain months, not weeks. Containment Faces Real-World Friction: Experts point to fragile health systems, conflict-linked access problems, and delayed escalation as key reasons the outbreak is hard to stop. Sudan Tech Lens: Amid the wider regional health shock, Sudan’s own displacement and conflict pressures make “response capacity” a technology and logistics challenge, not just a medical one.

Ebola Emergency, No Vaccine Yet: The WHO has declared the DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency, but officials say there’s still no proven vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain driving the crisis—research and manufacturing could take months, so the near-term focus is treatment centers and faster detection. Conflict-Blocked Response: In eastern Congo, militia fighting and aid cuts are fragmenting access and eroding trust, making containment harder as cases and suspected deaths climb. Africa Tech & Finance: Kenya’s Nairobi Securities Exchange listed its first infrastructure fund, aiming to fund East African projects via tradable securities and reduce reliance on expensive external borrowing. Digital Violence, Real Harm: A report highlights how UNHCR support gaps leave refugee women in Egypt exposed to online threats and abuse. Sudan Civilian Cost of Drones: Coverage continues to link drone-heavy warfare to rising civilian deaths in Sudan, underscoring how fast tech is reshaping battlefield risk. Refugee Claims Debate: Separate reporting challenges claims about Muslim-majority countries “not taking in refugees,” pointing to millions hosted across the region.

Sudan Civilian Harm: A drone strike hit a crowded market in Ghubaysh, West Kordofan, killing 28 people and leaving dozens wounded, with reports that many are in critical condition—another grim reminder of how drones are reshaping the war’s impact on ordinary life. Ebola Response: Health officials are racing to contain a worsening Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC tied to the Bundibugyo strain, where there are no proven vaccines or treatments yet, while the U.S. works with a San Diego biotech to prepare an experimental antibody for possible emergency use. Africa Day Context: As Africa Day is marked, coverage highlights how conflict, inequality, and weak governance keep slowing progress toward unity and sovereignty. Red Sea & Tech Rivalry: The Red Sea remains a hotspot for ports, bases, and cables—where instability can ripple into global trade and energy flows. Humanitarian Accountability: Kuwait’s UN push stresses stronger protection for civilians and accountability in modern conflicts.

Ebola Response: The U.S. is working with San Diego biotech Mapp Biopharmaceutical to prepare an experimental antibody treatment for people exposed to Ebola, as Congo’s outbreak linked to the rarer Bundibugyo strain worsens and spreads after weeks of undetected transmission. Sudan Conflict: A drone strike in West Kordofan’s Ghubaysh market killed 28 civilians, with dozens wounded, underscoring how civilians keep paying the price as drones reshape the battlefield. Humanitarian Fallout: A new study in Science links Trump-era USAID cuts to a sustained rise in conflict across Africa’s most aid-dependent regions. Refugee Policy: The Trump administration moves to expand refugee resettlement for white South Africans while blocking most other refugees, drawing fresh outrage. Regional Shockwaves: UN and FAO warnings tie Strait of Hormuz disruption to a potential global food-price crisis within a year. Media & Language: RFI Hausa marks 19 years since launching full Hausa programming—an Africa Day reminder that information access still matters.

Sudan Civilian Toll: A drone strike hit a crowded market in Ghubaysh, West Kordofan, killing 28 and wounding dozens, with rights groups blaming the army—another reminder that civilians are paying the price as the war grinds on. Ebola Response Tech: The US is working with San Diego biotech Mapp Biopharmaceutical to make an experimental Ebola antibody available for people at high risk, as the Congo outbreak worsens and spreads undetected for weeks. Hormuz Control & Fees: Iran’s expanding Strait of Hormuz system is now described as involving island checkpoints, heavy vetting, and “fees” for passage—while transit traffic reportedly doubled, raising pressure on both oil and shipping. Digital Pressure: Iran’s long internet blackout continues, now framed as a managed substitute service rather than a temporary shutdown. Ancient Sudan, New Clues: A study links Kush’s long rise to unusually stable Nile flooding patterns near today’s northern Sudan. Logistics Demand: Salalah Free Zone reports a surge in warehouse and ready-built industrial demand tied to regional supply-chain strain.

Hormuz Escalation: Strait of Hormuz transit traffic reportedly more than doubled as Iran tightens control with island checkpoints and “fees,” while a tanker route was reportedly managed through government-to-government arrangements and IRGC speedboat stops—raising fears that the same pressure tactics could spread to other chokepoints. Ebola Alarm: WHO is warning about the “scale and speed” of a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo, with 500+ suspected cases and 130+ deaths; there are no approved treatments yet, but trials for experimental therapies are being lined up for DRC and Uganda. Gaza Care Push: A new initiative aims to deliver advanced care to 1,000+ wounded Palestinian children, including pediatric amputees, as Gaza’s health system remains overwhelmed. Sudan Justice & War: Reuters reports RSF commander “Abu Lulu” was released and returned to combat despite prior outrage over filmed killings—while drone warfare continues to intensify civilian harm. Sudan Tech Watch: Salalah Free Zone’s warehouse and ready-built industrial demand signals ongoing regional logistics pull, including investment interest spanning China, India, Iran—and Sudan.

Ebola Emergency Escalates in Congo: WHO says the rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo is moving fast—over 130 dead and 500+ suspected cases—while experts warn there are still no ready treatments or vaccines, pushing responders back to basics and raising urgent questions about delayed detection and hard-to-do contact tracing. Sudan Accountability Shock: Reuters reports RSF commander “Abu Lulu,” linked to filmed civilian killings, has allegedly returned to active combat despite a special court process—renewing pressure on accountability as the war’s civilian toll worsens. Cross-Border Violence Focus: UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper leads an international coalition to tackle violence against women and girls, citing what she heard at the Sudanese border. Water Stress, Everywhere: A new push highlights a looming global water catastrophe, with drought resilience and rangeland recovery lessons echoing across regions. Iran Digital Crackdown: Iran’s internet blackout hits record length, disrupting daily life for tens of millions and complicating work and access to information.

Ebola Alarm in Congo: WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus is warning about the “scale and speed” of a rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, with at least 134 suspected deaths and 500+ suspected cases, after the virus spread for weeks before being properly identified. Vaccine Pressure: Congo is weighing use of an experimental Oxford vaccine (ChAdOx1) and debating whether Merck’s Ervebo could help, but there’s no approved Bundibugyo-specific treatment or vaccine. Sudan’s Humanitarian Shadow: In the same news cycle, attention is also turning to Sudan’s war—described as entering a drone-driven phase that hits civilian infrastructure—yet it’s still getting far less global focus than other crises. Sudan Accountability Twist: A Sudanese RSF commander tied to widely shared footage of civilian killings is reportedly back on the battlefield after release, renewing calls for accountability. Tech & Security: Iran is threatening “protection fees” for Strait of Hormuz submarine internet cables, raising fears for critical digital infrastructure.