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Today in Africa — June 15, 2026: 1,000 Drone Strike Deaths in Sudan, DR Congo’s Ebola Outbreak Accelerates

OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On June 15, coverage includes: a worsening humanitarian toll in Sudan’s three-year war; health officials racing to contain a rapidly expanding Bundibugyo virus outbreak that has spread across eastern DR Congo and into neighboring Uganda; and more.

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Lihle Z. Mtshali Today in Africa & Newsletter Editor
Protesters holding Sudan flags and a Free Sudan sign during a march on a city street.
The UN says more than 1,000 civilians have been killed in drone strikes since January.

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 on 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.

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Drone Strikes Kill Over 1,000 Civilians in Sudan This Year

More than 1,000 civilians were killed in drone strikes across Sudan between January and May 2026, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who warned that the country’s nearly four-year war is becoming increasingly deadly for civilians. The conflict between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has seen a sharp rise in drone warfare, with both sides accused of targeting civilian infrastructure as the war deepens, which the UN calls the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

What Else to Know:

  • ACLED recorded at least 2,670 drone-related deaths in 2025, including civilians and combatants, a 600% increase from the previous year.

  • Drone attacks rose by 81% in 2025 compared to 2024, according to ACLED data.

  • Hospitals, schools, markets, dams, displacement camps, and other civilian sites have been hit by drone strikes.

  • About 34 million people in Sudan, nearly two-thirds of the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance.

  • The UN says rape and sexual violence remain widespread throughout the conflict

DR Congo Reports 72 New Ebola Cases in One Day

The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded one of its biggest single-day increases in Ebola infections since the current outbreak began, with 72 new cases reported in 24 hours, bringing the total to 782 confirmed cases and 181 deaths. Health authorities say the sharp rise reflects both the rapid spread of the Bundibugyo strain and improved surveillance efforts, as communities report suspected cases and response teams expand investigations across affected areas.

What Else to Know:

  • Contact tracing coverage has dropped to 56%, down from last week, though authorities did not explain the decline.

  • The outbreak is centered in Ituri province, which accounts for more than 90% of cases, and has also spread to North Kivu, South Kivu, and neighboring Uganda.

  • Health officials say 40 people have recovered since the outbreak was confirmed on May 15.

  • The WHO has increased testing, treatment, and contact-tracing efforts, while the Africa CDC is providing laboratory support and technical expertise.

  • Nearly one million people have been displaced in Ituri by years of conflict, complicating efforts to track contacts and contain the virus.

South Africa Repatriates 2,745 Foreign Nationals After Anti-Immigration Unrest

South Africa has repatriated 2,745 foreign nationals in the week since President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged tougher action on illegal immigration, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said yesterday, Sunday, June 14. The move comes amid rising anti-immigrant tensions and violence that have prompted thousands of citizens from countries including Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to leave the country, with authorities saying most of those repatriated were living in South Africa illegally.

What Else to Know:

  • About 7,000 Malawians have been sheltering in an open field in Durban following recent unrest.

  • Malawi deployed eight buses to return its citizens home, while South Africa added 10 more to accelerate departures.

  • South African authorities said they do not operate refugee camps and have no plans to establish any.

  • Tensions escalated after two Mozambicans were killed following an anti-migrant march in Mossel Bay, though Mozambican authorities put the death toll at five.

  • Foreign nationals make up about 5.1% of South Africa’s population, with more than three million migrants living in the country.

In Brief: More Stories Today

Ethiopia Bus Crash Kills 28 in Amhara Region

At least 28 people were killed, and several others were injured after a bus traveling from Dessie to Addis Ababa plunged into a ravine in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. Police said many survivors suffered serious injuries in the crash, which adds to a long history of deadly road accidents in the country.

FIFA to Pay Somali Referee Barred From World Cup

Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full World Cup fee despite being denied entry to the United States and missing the tournament. Artan, Africa’s Referee of the Year in 2025, has since returned to a hero’s welcome in Somalia and has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.

Kidnapped Nigerian Ex-General Dies in Captivity

Retired Nigerian Major General Rabe Abubakar has died while being held by kidnappers after he was abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State last month. Authorities said he died from complications linked to diabetes and hypertension, while security forces have intensified efforts to rescue his wife, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

Chimamanda Adichie Accuses Lagos Hospital of Blocking Son’s Death Inquest

Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has accused Lagos-based Euracare Hospital of delaying and obstructing an inquest into the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, in January. Adichie alleges the hospital provided incomplete records and is seeking to stop the inquiry, while the hospital has denied wrongdoing and says its care met international standards.

DR Congo Pushes for Return of Colonial-Era Mineral Records

DR Congo is stepping up efforts to recover and digitize geological records held in Belgium that could help identify new deposits of cobalt, copper, lithium, and other critical minerals. Congolese and Belgian officials have agreed to develop a roadmap and task force for the transfer of the colonial-era archive, which Kinshasa says is key to strengthening its control over mineral exploration.

Indian Firm to Build $20 Million Denim Factory in Egypt

Indian textile manufacturer Prestige Denim Mills will invest $20 million in a new denim factory in Egypt’s West Qantara Industrial Zone. The project is expected to create about 1,000 jobs and produce up to 20 million meters of denim annually, with most of the output destined for export markets.

Somaliland President Welcomed in Israel

Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi in Jerusalem, months after Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. The visit comes despite opposition from Somalia and other countries that reject Somaliland’s claim to sovereignty.

Mozambique Fishermen Struggle as Fuel Prices Surge

Rising fuel prices in Mozambique are forcing many fishermen in Maputo to keep their boats ashore, threatening incomes in communities that depend on daily catches. The price increases, linked to disruptions in global fuel markets, have also raised concerns about broader inflation and the rising cost of living in one of the world’s poorest countries.


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