DR Congo's Ebola Outbreak Tops 4,000 Cases as Boat Scare Near Kinshasa Eases
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has surpassed 4,000 confirmed cases for the first time, with the country's public health institute reporting 4,053 infections and 1,850 deaths across five provinces — making it the world's second-largest Ebola outbreak on record. Meanwhile, health authorities said seven passengers on a river boat intercepted near Kinshasa tested negative for Ebola, easing fears the virus spread on board after a passenger who'd traveled on the boat died of suspected Ebola in Mongala province. Officials have now ordered screening for all boats arriving in the capital, home to more than 17 million people.
Three TikTok Influencers Jailed in Senegal Over Posts About President
A Senegalese court sentenced three TikTok influencers from the online channel Feenal Digital to prison time for insulting the president, a move critics call an attack on free speech. Mandoumbe Diop, who has more than half a million followers, got three months without suspension, while Magueye Diaw and Moustapha Ndiaye each got two months plus fines of $800.
CAF Backs Infantino, But FIFA Crisis Isn't Over
The Confederation of African Football unanimously endorsed FIFA President Gianni Infantino's leadership as he seeks a fourth term, giving him a boost from a voting bloc that makes up more than a quarter of FIFA's membership. But UEFA held firm on its boycott threat, and the federations of England, Albania, and Jordan also withdrew support, keeping pressure on Infantino after his failed push to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial rights.
Ethiopian Editor Abducted and Beaten Amid Crackdown on Independent Outlet
The Addis Standard's editor-in-chief, Yonas Kedir, was abducted and beaten by security forces last Saturday and held for 24 hours, according to the outlet's publisher, Jakken Publishing. The incident kicked off three days of action against the news site, including an office raid and an eviction order — moves rights groups say are part of a broader campaign to silence independent journalism in Ethiopia.
Democratic Republic of Congo Frees 15 Prisoners in Handover to M23 Rebels
The Democratic Republic of Congo released 15 prisoners to AFC/M23 rebels today, Friday, August 7, marking the first known transfer under last year's Qatar-brokered peace deal. The Red Cross said the group traveled from Benin through Uganda before being handed over in Rutshuru territory, as DR Congo, the United Nations, and Western powers continue to accuse Rwanda of backing the insurgency — a claim Rwanda denies.
Kenyan Farmers Push Back on Cyanide Poisoning Claims in Elephant Deaths
Farmers near Kenya's Amboseli National Park are disputing claims that cyanide from their tomato crops killed 16 elephants over the past month, with some saying they've never even heard of the chemical being used locally. Kenya's Wildlife Service has asked the Pest Control Products Board to investigate whether the chemical was improperly used, stored, or disposed of, while farmers point out that other animals on the same land, such as goats and cows, weren't affected.
