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CW Column
Conflicts in Africa This Week:

  Anu Maria Joseph
Anu Maria Joseph is currently a Non-Resident Fellow, Subhas Chandra Bose International Relations (SCB-IR) Chair, Chanakya University, Bengaluru.

What happened this week?

1. DR Congo
As of 29 May, according to the WHO, 223 people died out of 906 suspected Ebola virus cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The disease has spread to neighbouring Uganda, with nine confirmed cases and one death. The previous week, the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak a public emergency of international concern.

On 31 May, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) deputy director Dr Alan Gonzales stated: "Never before has an Ebola outbreak recorded so many cases so soon after its declaration." He added: "Nobody knows the true scale and severity of this outbreak. New suspected cases are being reported daily."

On 29 May, a Kenyan court suspended the US plan to open an Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya to host American citizens exposed to the disease. However, Kenyan President William Ruto defended the plan, stating: "When President [Donald] Trump asked Kenya to support them by having a centre in Laikipia Airbase I gave the ok because it was an agreement with friends who have walked with Kenya for 30, 40 years." He added: "We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing."  

Later, on 1 June, two people died in a protest against the planned US Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia military base. The US government said it plans to commit USD 13.5 million towards Kenya's Ebola preparation efforts. A US official stated that Kenya was selected because of its "proximity, airports in the region having limited capability, and to ensure Americans can be treated in a timely manner."

2. Ethiopia
On 1 June, Ethiopia conducted its seventh national election. 47 political parties contested the election, fielding 10,900 candidates for 547 seats in parliament. To form the government, the ruling party must secure 274 seats, a simple majority. Incumbent Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his Prosperity Party are vying for another win. Voting has been suspended in Oromia, Amhara and Tigray regions, citing "unfavourable conditions" amid the conflict.

What are the issues?

1. DR Congo: The Ebola problem in conflict regions and Kenya’s debate on health burden sharing
DR Congo had faced 16 previous Ebola outbreaks. However, the current spread of the Bundibugyo variant has sparked fear for three reasons. First, the spread was diagnosed late. On 17 May, when WHO declared a public emergency in Congo, the death toll was above 80. The health agency also warned of the potential for a "larger outbreak." In a span of a week, the death toll crossed 200.

Secondly, the Bundibugyo variant does not have approved vaccines or drugs. Although unlike COVID-19, Ebola is not a respiratory virus that spreads effectively, it is easily transmitted and often deadly. 30 percent of people died in the previous outbreak of the current variant. The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) says it will take another 9 months to prepare the vaccine for clinical trials.

Third, the conflict in eastern Congo is complicating the containment. The conflict-hit Ituri province was identified as the epicenter of the disease outbreak. The disease has also spread to North and South Kivu provinces, both of which are challenged by rebel violence. The complex conflict has collapsed hospitals and health facilities, and the state has limited access to carry out surveillance, tracing, or health care measures. The disease has spread faster in conflict zones due to poor sanitation, greater mobility due to conflict-induced displacement, a weaker immune system among civilians, and a compromised health system.

The positive development is a swift international response. The EU has allocated EUR 15 million. The EU, WHO, Africa CDC, national authorities and other partners have scaled up surveillance, infection prevention and control, health services and community engagement to reduce the risk of regional and international spread.

Meanwhile, in Kenya, the US plan to establish an Ebola quarantine centre for its citizens, who have been exposed to the virus, has sparked widespread public anger among Kenyans. The protesters accuse the US of offloading health risks on Kenyan soil. The argument came after Trump announced it "cannot and will not allow" any Ebola cases to enter US soil. Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases yet. The protesters fear that the centre will expose Kenya to the virus, a country with a weak health system.

2. Ethiopia: Elections overshadowed by conflicts
Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party came to power in 2018 with widespread popular support. In the 2018 and 2022 elections, he secured over 90 percent of the vote. Prosperity Party still dominates Ethiopian politics, while the opposition is weak and divided.

The election cannot be considered a democratic contest because it is overshadowed by multiple security issues. Elections are not being conducted in Tigray and parts of the Amhara and Oromia regions. The 2022 November Pretoria Agreement formally ended the Tigray War between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). However, the provisions within the agreement are yet to be implemented. In May 2026, TPLF restored its government in Tigray after the federal government extended the term of the interim government. The move has brought the region to the brink of a full return to war. In Amhara, the federal forces are fighting the Fano militia. In Oromia, the major security challenge is posed by the Oromia Liberation Army (OLA).

What does it mean?
1. DRC
DR Congo has previously managed to fight multiple Ebola outbreaks without a vaccine. It implies that the country has experience in surveillance, management, outbreak control, and coordination. However, the challenge is the lack of an operational environment due to conflict, displacement, state capacity, and collapsed health systems. International actors have stepped in and appear to have controlled a regional and international spread.

Meanwhile, in Kenya, the US plan to establish an Ebola quarantine centre has caused debates over risk, decision, consent, and burden sharing. For Kenya, the move raises questions of unequal distribution of risks. It has caused perceptions that Kenya is being considered as a place to manage the disease that originated in the DRC, as the US believes exposed individuals should not be brought to its territory. Additionally, although the quarantine facilities are designed to operate under biosafety protocols, Kenya’s limited public health capacity raises concerns about a high risk of disease spread.

2. Ethiopia
Ethiopia continues to face challenges from insurgency, militancy, and post-war uncertainty. These challenges limit political participation. In eight years, Abiy's party has managed to take control of state apparatus, federal institutions, security structures, and administrative structures. With none of the opposition parties having broad national support, Abiy's victory is certain. However, his victory also raises questions about political pluralism and inclusiveness. The continuation of Abiy’s regime is likely to leave the conflicts and security issues unresolved.   

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