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Today in Africa — May 26, 2027: The Latest on the Ebola Outbreak, Hundreds of Ghanaians Leave South Africa

OkayAfrica has scoured the Internet for today’s major news stories, so you don't have to. On May 27, coverage includes: a fast-moving Ebola outbreak that health officials say is outpacing containment efforts as cases spread beyond DR Congo; 300 Ghanaians expatriated from South Africa as rising anti-immigrant tensions and safety fears push migrants to head home.

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Lihle Z. Mtshali Today in Africa & Newsletter Editor
A United Nations peacekeeper has his shoes cleaned with a chlorine solution before leaving an Ebola treatment center in Mangina, North Kivu province, on September 1, 2019.
The response to the latest Ebola outbreak is falling dangerously behind.

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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Ebola Response Struggles to Keep Pace as Cases Spread Beyond DR Congo


The response to the fast-growing Ebola outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of Congo is falling dangerously behind, with health officials warning that the virus is spreading faster than containment efforts. The Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, has now reached more than 900 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths in DR Congo, with seven confirmed cases reported in neighboring Uganda. Officials say delayed detection, supply shortages, attacks on health facilities, and widespread community mistrust are slowing efforts to track exposed people and stop transmission. World Health Organization (WHO) documents show that only a small fraction of identified contacts had been reached last week, raising fears that many infected people may still be moving through communities undetected. Health workers also say international funding gaps and the absence of the kind of large-scale support previously provided during earlier outbreaks are creating additional challenges as the outbreak continues to expand.

Global Response and New Challenges:

 • WHO officials say only 7% of the 1,261 identified contacts had been traced as of last week, though the estimated number of contacts has since risen above 2,000.

• WHO warned that healthcare workers are dying and that the virus circulated undetected for roughly six weeks before being identified.

• Aid group Samaritan’s Purse says it plans to open a 50-bed Ebola treatment center in northeastern DR Congo within a week and will work with local churches to build community trust.

• Several countries have introduced new restrictions or screening measures, including the U.S., Canada, India, Kenya, The Bahamas, Mexico, Jordan, and Thailand.

• The U.S. and Kenya are discussing a possible quarantine facility for Americans exposed to Ebola, though Kenyan approval has not yet been finalized.

Hundreds of Ghanaians Leave South Africa Amid Rising Anti-Immigrant Tensions

Hundreds of Ghanaian nationals began leaving South Africa today, Wednesday, May 27, as anti-immigrant protests and safety concerns continue to escalate. About 300 people, including women and children, gathered at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport as part of a voluntary repatriation effort coordinated by South African and Ghanaian authorities. The departures come after weeks of protests targeting undocumented migrants, with some incidents escalating into violence and many migrants saying they no longer feel safe remaining in the country.

What Else We Know:

 • South African and Ghanaian officials are working from a list of roughly 800 people who have requested assistance returning home.

• An immigration official said only 10 people among the first 300 departures were legally documented in South Africa.

• Migrant rights groups say foreign nationals are being blamed for broader economic problems, including unemployment that remains above 30%.

• Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa said the repatriation effort is intended to reduce tensions while maintaining diplomatic ties between both countries.

• South African authorities have condemned attacks on foreign nationals and said xenophobic violence has no place in the country.

Ghana Names Thomas Partey to World Cup Squad Despite UK Charges

Ghana has included midfielder Thomas Partey in its provisional 28-man squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the player facing criminal charges in the United Kingdom. Partey, who now plays for Villarreal and has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, remains a central figure for the Black Stars after helping guide the team through qualifying. The allegations involve four women and relate to incidents between 2020 and 2022. His inclusion is likely to draw attention as Ghana prepares for its return to football’s biggest stage.

Squad Notes:

 • Mohammed Kudus was left out because of injury after being sidelined since January with a quadriceps issue and related complications.

• Abdul Rahman Baba returns to the national team setup for the first time since 2023.

• Coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to lean heavily on Antoine Semenyo and Iñaki Williams in attack.

• Partey has made 58 appearances for Ghana’s national team.

• Ghana will face Croatia, England, and Panama in Group L.

In Brief: More Stories Today

Morocco Overtakes South Africa as Africa’s Top Industrial Economy

Morocco has overtaken South Africa as Africa’s leading industrial economy, according to a new African Development Bank report, which identifies manufacturing growth, export diversification, and long-term industrial policies as key drivers. The report highlights a broader shift in Africa’s economic landscape, with Morocco strengthening its position as a manufacturing and export hub linking Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, while warning that weak intra-African trade and fragmented supply chains continue to hold back wider industrial growth.

Sonko Criticizes Senegal PM Appointment as Rift With Faye Widens

Senegal’s newly elected Parliament Speaker, Ousmane Sonko, has publicly criticized President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s appointment of a new prime minister, saying that his Pastef party was excluded from the process. The comments signal growing tensions between the former allies after Faye removed Sonko as prime minister and dissolved the government days ago, while opposition lawmakers walked out before Sonko’s address to parliament.

Ghana Launches E-Visa System and Waives Fees for African Travelers

Ghana has launched a new electronic visa platform as part of a broader effort to make travel easier and strengthen its position as a regional business and tourism hub. President John Dramani Mahama also announced visa fee waivers for African travelers visiting for tourism or business, saying Ghana remains committed to welcoming Africans even as many countries tighten immigration policies.

U.S. Senate Confirms Frank Garcia as Top Africa Diplomat

The U.S. Senate has confirmed former naval officer Frank Garcia as assistant secretary of state for African affairs, filling a position that had been vacant for more than a year. Garcia has signaled a shift toward a “trade over aid” approach, saying future U.S. engagement with Africa will focus more on investment, commercial partnerships, and strategic interests.

Nigeria, World Bank Cancel $718 Million in Power Sector Funding

Nigeria and the World Bank have agreed to cancel about $717.7 million in undisbursed financing under the country’s Power Sector Recovery Operation program. The decision follows implementation delays and growing financial pressures in the electricity sector, with the program now set to close more than a year earlier than originally planned.

Ghana Welcomes Pope’s Apology for Church’s Role in Slavery

Ghana has praised Pope Leo XIV’s apology for the Catholic Church’s historic role in legitimizing slavery, calling it an important step toward truth and justice. The apology, delivered in the Pope’s first major teaching document, comes as Ghana continues pushing global conversations around reparations and accountability for the transatlantic slave trade.

Trump Expands Refugee Program for White South Africans

U.S. President Donald Trump has increased the U.S. refugee admissions ceiling by 10,000 to allow more white South Africans of Afrikaner ethnicity into the country. South African officials have rejected claims that Afrikaners face systemic persecution, calling the allegations unfounded as tensions continue around the program.

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