NEWS

Today in Africa — August 17, 2026: DR Congo's Ebola Outbreak Now the Country's Deadliest, Cameroon Wins First-Ever WAFCON Title

OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On Aug. 17, coverage includes: DR Congo's Ebola outbreak being on track to surpass West Africa's 2014-16 epidemic, which killed over 11,000 people; Cameroon beating Malawi 3-0 to claim its first-ever Women's Africa Cup of Nations crown; and more.

Okay avatar
Lihle Z. Mtshali Today in Africa & Newsletter Editor
Health workers hold an Ebola awareness poster in a busy market street in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Workers with UNICEF's 'U-Report' group raise awareness about Ebola transmission. The World Health Organization says the DR Congo Ebola outbreak, which has killed 2, 325 people, is on track to overtake the 2014-16 West Africa outbreak, the deadliest on record with over 11,000 deaths.

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening across the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

RELATED

DR Congo's Ebola Death Toll Tops 2,300, Now the Country's Deadliest Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has become the deadliest in the country's history, with 4,945 cases and 2,325 deaths recorded as of today, Monday, August 17, surpassing the toll from the 2018-2020 outbreak. It's also the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded, and the World Health Organization says it's on track to overtake the 2014-16 West Africa outbreak, the deadliest on record with over 11,000 deaths. In Mongbwalu, a gold-mining town in Ituri province, a severe water shortage is making things worse — only one in five of the town's 140,000 residents has reliable access to safe water, leaving many unable to wash their hands regularly, a key defense against the virus.

Racing Against the Virus

  • The latest 24-hour data shows 101 new cases and 33 deaths, with over 1,000 people recovered and 730 still hospitalized or in isolation.

  • WHO reported a record 579 cases and 304 deaths in a single week over the weekend, warning the outbreak is moving at an "exceptional pace."

  • The UN's humanitarian chief announced an additional $30.5 million and 20 more staff to support the response.

  • There's still no approved vaccine or treatment for the rare Bundibugyo virus behind the outbreak, though trials are underway in Ituri province.

  • Many Mongbwalu residents walk miles daily to collect water from a spring since they can't afford public taps, and local groundwater is often contaminated by mining runoff.

Cameroon Wins First-Ever WAFCON Title, Beats Malawi 3-0 in Final

Cameroon claimed its first-ever Women's Africa Cup of Nations title with a commanding 3-0 win over tournament debutants Malawi in Rabat, with Marie Ngah Manga scoring twice and Naomi Eto adding one to complete a dominant first-half performance. Cameroon's defense kept star sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga quiet throughout, denying Malawi — the tournament's lowest-ranked side at 153rd in the world — a fairytale finish to their unexpected WAFCON run. Both teams will compete at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil alongside fellow semifinalists Algeria and Morocco.

A Remarkable Run for Cameroon

  • Cameroon missed the 2024 WAFCON and failed to qualify outright for this year's tournament, advancing only after CAF expanded the finals from 12 to 16 teams.

  • The Indomitable Lionesses beat Nigeria in the quarterfinals and edged host Morocco on penalties in the semifinals, with goalkeeper Michaely Bihina making a combined 13 saves across both matches.

  • Cameroon takes home $2 million in prize money, becoming just the fourth country to win the WAFCON title after Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa.

  • The win comes after three previous WAFCON final defeats for Cameroon, in 2004, 2014, and 2016, all against Nigeria.

  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe presented the trophy at Moulay Hassan Stadium.

Hichilema Widens Lead in Zambia Vote as Opposition Alleges Fraud, Cites Arrests

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema's lead in the presidential election widened to roughly 62% of valid votes today, Monday, August 17, with about 71% of constituencies reporting, while rival Brian Mundubile trailed at 36%. The vote count came amid growing turmoil after police arrested 11 people, including leading opposition figures, on election night, accusing them of possessing military-grade weapons for an "armed insurrection" — a raid Mundubile said targeted his own residence and life. Mundubile is now alleging possible tampering with results forms and has called for an independent investigation, though a presidential spokesperson dismissed the claims as lies.

How We Got Here

  • The government says gunfire was exchanged during the election-night raid at Mundubile's residence, and named six people in custody, including one of his spokespeople.

  • Opposition parties and civil society groups have accused Hichilema's government of mounting repression ahead of the vote, including restrictions on campaign activities, which the government denies.

  • Zambia's electoral commission suspended vote-counting for hours the day after the election due to reports of violence against polling staff and stolen ballot papers.

  • A candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to win outright, or the race goes to a runoff between the top two finishers.

  • Analyst Greg Musiker says the opposition is unlikely to succeed with a legal challenge, though localized political violence remains possible in the coming days.

In Brief: More Stories Today

Cholera Outbreak Spreads Across Northern Cameroon, Killing 28

More than 1,000 cholera cases and 28 deaths have been reported across northern Cameroon since mid-July, health authorities say. At Mora District Hospital, staff have set up separate tents for suspected and confirmed patients, while community health workers go door-to-door urging better hygiene as officials race to contain the outbreak before the rainy season worsens it.

Morocco Arrests Hundreds Attempting New Ceuta Crossing

Moroccan security forces arrested 294 migrants and 61 Moroccans accused of facilitating their crossing attempts into Ceuta, Spain’s territory in Morocco, over the weekend, state broadcaster Medi 1 TV reported. The arrests come two weeks after a deadly surge saw tens of thousands rush the border, killing at least 90 people, with authorities now citing more than 20,000 security personnel deployed daily to prevent a repeat.

Canada Tightens Study Permit Rules, Making Path to Residency Harder for African Students

Canada is cutting study-permit targets and adding new requirements to its Post-Graduation Work Permit, including language proficiency and labor-market alignment, changes likely to hit African students hard. Nigeria was Canada's fourth-largest source of international students in 2024, with nearly 59,000 permit holders, as Ottawa moves to shrink its temporary population below 5% by the end of 2027.

Somali Federal Troops Retake Baidoa After Deadly Clashes

Somali federal troops drove opposition forces loyal to Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen out of Baidoa today, Monday, August 17, after hours of fighting that left multiple people dead, residents said. The clashes were the city's fiercest since March, when federal forces first seized Baidoa after Laftagareen's administration split from the federal government; the defense ministry says its troops killed about 30 attackers who struck before dawn using explosive-laden vehicles.

Egypt Warns Ethiopia Against Unilateral Control of Nile Water Flows

Egypt has warned Ethiopia against taking unilateral control of water flows from Africa’s biggest dam, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, reigniting a decade-long dispute now centered on who controls the Blue Nile rather than the dam's construction. The warning follows remarks attributed to Ethiopia's water and energy minister about building additional dams, with Egypt — Africa's strongest military power — arguing such moves would violate international law.

zambia election womens africa cup of nations news today in africa wafcon wafcon 2025 african news cameroon democratic republic of the congo ebola outbreak home latest

MORE LIKE THIS