AGP Executive Report

Ebola Watch: WHO says the Congo outbreak is spreading rapidly and may be far larger than reported, with violence and insecurity making containment harder; the WHO has already flagged it as a public health emergency and notes the Bundibugyo strain has no targeted vaccine or treatment. Diplomacy Delayed: India’s Africa Forum Summit (due May 31 in New Delhi) is postponed after Ebola concerns, but officials say the agenda remains important for South–South cooperation. Sierra Leone Deportations: Freetown received a first US deportation flight with nine migrants (Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal), who say they were traumatised after months in detention. Local Governance & Services: Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr inspected CBD pavement works, including interlocking block paving and solar streetlights. Sports & Youth: Sierra Leone’s U-17 women arrived in Togo for crucial World Cup qualifier ties vs Benin. Women’s Football: SLFA held a laying-out ceremony for late Sierra Queens coach Victoria Conteh.

Deportations at Lungi: Sierra Leone received its latest US deportation flight—nine West Africans (from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea and Senegal) landed in Freetown, with officials saying the group was “traumatised” after months in detention and will be housed in a hotel before returning home within two weeks. Urban Works: Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr inspected CBD pavement upgrades on key streets, with interlocking blocks, solar streetlights, greening and a controlled parking plan tied to the Zurich-funded regeneration push. Water & WASH: SALWACO met GOAL-SL to align on its 2026–2030 strategic plan, targeting safer water and sanitation support in Moyamba and Kenema. Governance & Procurement: The ACC highlighted openness gains at OGP Week, while NPPA and IPRP renewed focus on enforcing procurement reforms. Labour Migration: Labour and IOM launched a national technical committee to shift migration management toward a regulated, rights-based system. Disaster Response: NDMA sought Turkish support after a windstorm in Kono displaced 900+ people. Health Watch: Ebola coverage remains dominated by the DRC/Uganda outbreak, with WHO warning the regional risk is high.

Maritime Security Push: Nigeria’s President Tinubu will flag off the AU combined maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea next month, with Lagos as the hub and early joiners including Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria—aimed at piracy and cross-border organised crime. Ebola Alarm in the Region: WHO says suspected Ebola cases in DRC and Uganda have surged, with children especially at risk as aid groups warn outbreaks are spreading in fragile, overcrowded settings; Nigeria is urged to tighten entry-point surveillance. Cross-Border Trade Focus: ECOWAS is doubling down on border cooperation in Abuja, using shared community ties to improve security coordination and boost regional trade. Sierra Leone Deportations Continue: Freetown confirmed the first US-deportee arrivals under a third-country deal, while the wider migration debate keeps growing. Local Governance & Rights: Sierra Leone’s HRCSL presented a pre-trial detention monitoring report to police leadership, spotlighting compliance and conditions in stations nationwide. Sports: Sierra Leone’s U17 girls depart for Togo for World Cup qualifiers, while Nigeria’s Flamingos map their possible Morocco route after the draw.

Deportations in motion: Sierra Leone has received the first batch of US deportees under Trump’s crackdown—nine West Africans landed in Freetown this week, with authorities saying the country can take up to 300 people a year from ECOWAS states, though critics warn the “third-country” deals raise human-rights risks. Ebola alarm: WHO says the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak may already have killed 139, with 600 suspected cases and health facilities overwhelmed; a vaccine could take months. Diplomacy shake-up: Britain’s deputy ambassador in Washington, James Roscoe, has abruptly left his post with no clear explanation. Power crisis hits Freetown: Blackouts are worsening as Karpowership generation stays far below contract levels while Bumbuna undergoes maintenance, leaving communities with days of outages. Governance pressure: The NRA sealed lawyer Yadda Hashim-Williams’ office over alleged unpaid rental income tax, while the Electoral Commission pushes closer media ties ahead of 2028.

Deportations at Freetown Airport: Sierra Leone received its latest batch of U.S.-deported migrants Wednesday: nine people (7 men, 2 women) from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea and Senegal, under police escort. Officials say they’re being housed in a hotel and expected to return home within two weeks, with Sierra Leone set to accept up to 300 deportees a year under an ECOWAS-linked arrangement. Power Crisis: Prolonged blackouts in Freetown are being blamed on Karpowership’s output falling far below contract levels amid a widening debt dispute, leaving many eastern communities without stable electricity for days. Health & Safety: Makeni Regional Hospital launched an internal probe after allegations that some nurses demanded money from patients’ relatives. Maternal Risk: A Sierra Leone study highlights how early screening can flag danger signs for postpartum bleeding and sepsis. Ebola Watch: The wider region remains on edge as WHO warns the Congo-Uganda Ebola outbreak is spreading fast, with no vaccine or treatment for the rare strain. Church Support: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pledged $25m to UNICEF’s child nutrition drive, matched to $50m total impact.

Ebola Escalation: The WHO has declared the DRC outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern as deaths and suspected cases surge—now reported at 131 dead and 543 suspected cases, with the rare Bundibugyo strain and no approved vaccines or treatments for it; experts warn the virus may have spread for weeks undetected amid conflict and hard-to-reach areas, and it has already crossed into Uganda. Deportations to Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone received its first charter flight of US-deported West Africans—nine people landed in Freetown under a deal to accept up to 300 a year from ECOWAS states, with authorities saying they’ll be housed temporarily and many want to return home. AFCON 2027 Draw: CAF released full qualifiers fixtures, with Ghana vs Ivory Coast highlighted in a tough Group C, while Sierra Leone land in a group with DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Zimbabwe. Diplomacy Shock: Britain’s deputy ambassador in Washington, James Roscoe, abruptly left his post amid a leak inquiry tied to Iran-war discussions.

Ebola Crisis Deepens in DRC: Congo’s Ebola death toll has climbed to 131, with 543 suspected cases reported as WHO warns the outbreak may be spreading faster than first thought, including fears it went undetected for weeks amid conflict and displacement. Border and Health Measures Tighten: Governments across the region are stepping up screening and traveller monitoring as Ghana activates nationwide preparedness despite reporting no cases. US-Iran Pressure Escalates: The US expands sanctions on Iran, targeting shadow banking and shipping networks, while Trump says a new round of attacks is being delayed. Diplomatic Shake-Up in Washington: Britain’s deputy ambassador James Roscoe has abruptly left his post, adding to recent embassy turmoil. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Set: The CAF draw in Cairo locks in groups—Nigeria land in Group L with Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau; Sierra Leone are in Group E with DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe. Local Sierra Leone Energy Push: SLEWRC launches a nationwide roadshow to explain updated electricity tariffs and MYTO II.

Ebola Crisis Escalates: The DRC’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 131 deaths and 513 suspected cases, with WHO warning it may be spreading faster than first thought after fears of under-detection; residents in Ituri say people are dying “very fast,” and an early “superspreader” funeral event is now being blamed. Cross-Border Alarm: Uganda reports two confirmed cases and one death, while the US has tightened entry rules tied to the outbreak. AFCON 2027 Draw Shockwaves: In Cairo, qualifiers were set for 48 teams across 12 groups—Nigeria’s Super Eagles landed in Group L, Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars in Group E with Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea and DR Congo, and Zambia in Group I against Algeria, Togo and Burundi. Governance Watch: Sierra Leone moves to introduce a new code of conduct for presidential appointees, while fans demand more transparency in the Leone Stars head-coach recruitment. Energy & Public Info: SLEWRC launched a nationwide roadshow to explain electricity tariffs under MYTO II.

Ebola Alarm: The WHO has declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern, with reports of at least 88 deaths in Congo and confirmed cases in Uganda, as the rare Bundibugyo strain—linked to no proven targeted vaccine or treatment—raises fears it may have spread undetected; Border Response: Sierra Leone says it has boosted surveillance at entry points and readied rapid response teams across all districts, while the US has moved to tighten screening and monitoring for travellers from affected areas; Local Governance Backlash: Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Bio is facing renewed criticism over a taxpayer-subsidised council flat in London while she lives mainly in the presidential lodge in Freetown; Finance Watch: In Nigeria, CIBN Lagos reports assets rising to N264m, keeping its lead among branches; Sports & Culture: FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket qualifiers kick off across zones, and Sierra Leone’s Chinese medical team marks World Hypertension Day with screenings for hundreds in Waterloo.

Ebola Alarm Escalates: The WHO has declared the Congo–Uganda Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, with reports of at least 88 deaths in DR Congo and hundreds of suspected cases, while officials warn the real spread could be larger and the Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or treatment. U.S. Travel Crackdown: The U.S. has rolled out enhanced Ebola screening and monitoring for travelers arriving from affected areas, and is working to safely withdraw Americans exposed in DR Congo. Sierra Leone Steps Up: Sierra Leone says it has strengthened surveillance at entry points and health facilities, with rapid response teams on standby across all 16 districts and isolation supplies being reviewed. Health Outreach Locally: A Chinese medical team marked International Nurses Day with acupuncture and chronic-disease screening events in Freetown, including hypertension checks for hundreds of patients. Politics & Governance: Sierra Leone’s Auditor General report is sparking fresh outrage over alleged missing funds and vehicles, while APC internal talks continue as Samura Kamara calls for expanded engagement to resolve the party crisis.

Ebola Emergency: WHO has declared the Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” with reports of 88 deaths and hundreds of suspected cases, plus a confirmed case detected far from the epicentre and fears of wider spread. Sierra Leone Alert: Sierra Leone’s health authorities say there are no confirmed or suspected cases at home, but they’re keeping heightened vigilance as the regional situation worsens. Deportation Deal: Sierra Leone has agreed to accept up to 300 West African deportees from the US per year (max 25 monthly), with the first group due to arrive May 20—raising questions about detention and whether people can stay. Open Contracting Push: Sierra Leone showcased progress on transparent public procurement at an Open Government Partnership meeting in Rabat. Digital ID Debate: A new report argues some African countries are outpacing parts of the G7 on digital identity laws, but warns implementation often falls short. Local Governance: Kadjebi District Assembly nearly stalled over delayed sitting allowances.

Global Health Emergency: The WHO has declared the DRC’s new Ebola outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” after at least 80 deaths and hundreds of suspected cases linked to the Bundibugyo strain in Ituri province. Cross-Border Alarm: Uganda has reported lab-confirmed cases tied to travel from Congo, and WHO says neighbouring countries face high risk—while stressing it’s not yet a “pandemic emergency.” Local Response (Sierra Leone): Sierra Leone’s health authorities say there are no confirmed or suspected cases at home, but they’re keeping heightened surveillance as the regional situation develops. Migration Pressure: Sierra Leone has agreed to accept hundreds of West African “third-country deportees” from the U.S., with the first flight due May 20. ECOWAS Child Protection: ECOWAS Parliament adopted a resolution pushing member states to protect street children and curb exploitation.

Ebola Alert Escalates: Health officials in DR Congo say a fresh Ebola outbreak in Ituri is already at 336 suspected cases and 87 deaths, with one fatal case reported in Uganda—and the strain has no vaccine available for it, prompting cross-border monitoring and emergency response. Sierra Leone Readiness: Sierra Leone’s health authorities say there are no confirmed or suspected cases at home, but they’ve put the country on heightened alert while watching the regional situation. Deportation Deal: Sierra Leone has agreed to accept hundreds of ECOWAS deportees from the U.S.; the first flight is due May 20 with 25 nationals. Local Governance Friction: In Ghana’s Kadjebi District Assembly, delayed sitting allowances nearly derailed proceedings, with members demanding immediate payment. Street Children Push: ECOWAS Parliament adopted a resolution calling for urgent action to protect street children and end exploitation across the region. Politics & Identity: ID4Africa urged governments to include refugees and stateless people in legal/digital identity systems.

Ebola Alert Hits Home: Sierra Leone says it has no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases, but health authorities are on heightened vigilance after a new outbreak in DR Congo’s Ituri—reported 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases—with Uganda confirming one imported death. Immigration Shockwaves: Sierra Leone has agreed to accept hundreds of ECOWAS deportees from the U.S.; the first flight lands May 20 with 25 nationals from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria. ECOWAS Child Protection Push: ECOWAS Parliament adopted a resolution urging member states to protect street children and end exploitation, citing hunger, abuse, trafficking and violence. Fuel Pressure: Tanzania ranks among Africa’s highest fuel-price countries in May 2026, underscoring how energy costs keep squeezing households and transport. Local Governance Friction: In Ghana’s Kadjebi, delayed assembly allowances nearly derailed district proceedings—another reminder that pay delays can quickly turn political meetings tense.

Ebola Alert in Congo: Africa CDC has confirmed a new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo’s Ituri province, reporting 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases, with only a handful lab-confirmed so far and results on the virus type expected within 24 hours—Uganda also confirmed a related death. US Immigration Clash: In Washington, Fairfax County prosecutor Steve Descano faced a bruising House Judiciary hearing over claims his sanctuary-style policies let undocumented criminals avoid accountability; Descano says his approach follows Supreme Court precedent. Sierra Leone Politics: Former Freetown MP Wayne Munroe hinted an appointment could be announced soon after losing his seat to Lincoln Deal, who says he’ll “serve Freetown” in Parliament. Regional Governance: ECOWAS Parliament adopted a resolution pushing member states to protect street children and end exploitation. Philanthropy & Diplomacy: Tanzanian billionaire Mo Dewji made Time100 Philanthropy’s top 100, while India-Africa Forum Summit 2026 gears up in New Delhi.

Ebola Alert in Congo: Africa CDC says a new Ebola outbreak has been confirmed in DR Congo’s Ituri province, with 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths already reported, and four deaths among lab-confirmed patients; officials warn insecurity and heavy cross-border movement could fuel spread. Sierra Leone Politics: President Bio warns against “mago mago” backdoor succession moves as he opens a new SLPP office in Koidu, signaling leadership talk is heating up. Bahamas Government Shake-up: Four cabinet ministers were sworn in after Tuesday’s election, while former Freetown MP Wayne Munroe hinted “something may happen tomorrow” regarding a possible Senate or attorney-general role; PM Philip Davis also blamed low turnout for a weakened sense of community. ECOWAS Child Protection: ECOWAS Parliament adopted a resolution pushing member states to protect street children, end exploitation, and ban them from streets. Regional Health Funding: The US is offering $290m for early infectious-disease outbreak response, aiming to help countries detect and contain threats fast.