WFP Sudan Funding Halved as Aid Groups Warn of Collapse
The World Food Programme's funding for Sudan has fallen from $645 million last year to just $206 million so far this year, acting head Carl Skau told Reuters, leaving a nearly $300 million gap even as almost 20 million people face hunger. Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration warns emergency supplies for hundreds of thousands of displaced Sudanese could run out by the end of September, with IOM Director General Amy Pope saying, "The entire humanitarian system could collapse within weeks if we don't act now."
DR Congo Sets Up Task Force to Speed Up U.S. Minerals Partnership
The Democratic Republic of Congo has approved a "DRC-USA Task Force" to accelerate its strategic minerals partnership with Washington, cabinet minutes show, as Kinshasa looks to diversify beyond Chinese investment in its copper and cobalt sectors. The deal has already brought a U.S.-backed mining investment through Virtus Minerals and expanded copper sales to Western markets, and the same cabinet meeting approved a record $24.8 billion budget for 2027.
UN: DR Congo's Ebola Outbreak Shows Progress But Remains "Massive"
UN officials say efforts to curb Ebola in eastern DR Congo are showing early results, with Congo's health minister citing "encouraging signs" since cases peaked in mid-August, but warn the epidemic — now at 7,258 confirmed cases and 3,510 deaths — remains far from over. While Ituri province shows improvement, cases continue rising fast in North Kivu, particularly in Butembo, prompting WHO officials to caution it's "too early to confidently say we have passed a peak."
Hundreds Protest in Kinshasa Against Tshisekedi Third-Term Bid
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Kinshasa, organized by the C64 coalition, to oppose a proposed constitutional amendment that could let President Félix Tshisekedi seek a third term through a referendum. The protest comes after authorities suppressed a similar July rally, in which the UN said at least one person was killed, and as Kinshasa has separately announced a long-demanded national dialogue without specifying its terms.
Eswatini Soldiers Accidentally Shoot 2 U.S. Personnel
Soldiers in Eswatini accidentally shot two U.S. government personnel during an anti-smuggling operation in the country's northeast last Friday, the government said. The Americans sustained minor injuries, and both governments are investigating what officials are now calling "a diplomatic issue."
Algeria Closes Airspace to UAE Aircraft After Severing Diplomatic Ties
Algeria has closed its airspace to most UAE-registered aircraft, effective September 11, after deciding to sever diplomatic relations with the UAE over alleged Emirati interference in its domestic affairs. Commercial civilian flights between the UAE and Algiers' Houari Boumediene International Airport remain exempt until their contract expires at the end of 2026.
Ethiopia Cuts Bitcoin Miners' Electricity by 75% Amid Water Shortage
Ethiopia has slashed power supplied to its Bitcoin-mining industry by three-quarters as declining water levels in its hydroelectric reservoirs, worsened by El Niño, squeeze the country's electricity supply. Bitcoin miners had been consuming almost a third of Ethiopia's total power production, even as about half the population still lacks access to electricity.
Uganda Rushes to Formalize Citizens in Kenya Amid Trader Crackdown
Uganda is fast-tracking documentation for its citizens living and working in Kenya, following Kenya's crackdown on foreign-run small businesses. Only about 5,000 Ugandans have obtained identification through the Nairobi High Commission so far, a number officials say is far too low, with NSSF Uganda's Patrick Ayota urging nationals not to "hide underground" and instead get properly licensed.
Turkish Airlines Permanently Drops Luanda Route, Adding to Angola Airport's Struggles
Turkish Airlines has permanently canceled its Luanda route, along with four other African destinations, dealing a fresh blow to Angola's new international airport, which has struggled to attract passengers since opening in 2023. The $3.85 billion airport was built to handle 15 million passengers annually but saw fewer than 800,000 in 2025.
Djibouti Becomes 8th African Nation to Join NASA's Artemis Accords
Djibouti signed NASA's Artemis Accords on September 14, becoming the 72nd country globally and the eighth in Africa to join the framework for peaceful space cooperation. The move builds on Djibouti's growing space ambitions after launching two satellites in 2023 and 2024, joining Nigeria, Rwanda, Angola, Senegal, Morocco, Botswana, and Mauritius among African signatories.
Uganda Reverses Invictus Games Withdrawal After Palace Clarification
Uganda has reversed its decision to withdraw from the 2027 Invictus Games after King Charles III's office clarified the monarch has no objection to the country's participation. The reversal followed a call between Uganda's military chief, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the King's principal private secretary, restoring Uganda's spot as the first East African nation in the Games founded by Prince Harry.
