African Americans in Southern States Continue Struggles to Regain Voting Rights

Alabama state emergency appeal to Supreme Court upholds the elimination of an electoral district where African Americans could maintain representation

By Abayomi Azikiwe

Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday June 3, 2026

Political Review

In an emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court, which is dominated by Conservatives in a 6-3 majority, the elimination of an entire district where African Americans have a sizable vote has been upheld.

The redrawing of the Alabama voting districts was made possible through the recent Louisiana v. Callais case which eviscerated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

This emergency appeal was aimed at overturning a lower court ruling which concluded that the previous map approved two years ago was constitutional. Yet, in the Republican Party efforts to maintain their majority margin in the House of Representatives has compelled their officials in Southern state governments to reshape how voting districts are designed.

The withdrawal of federal support for Reconstruction in the South after the national elections of 1876, resulted in the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution being essentially nullified when a series of rulings by the Supreme Court declared that the government had no authority to enforce laws which systematically discriminated against the African American people. The disenfranchisement of African Americans was enforced through Jim Crow laws as well as vigilante organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and the White Citizen’s Councils. 

Some 61 years after the Voting Rights Act was signed by then U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, becoming one of the crown jewels of the mass Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, a concerted effort by the administration of President Donald Trump and its supporters to foster the disenfranchisement of millions of African Americans is well underway. Many are anticipating that a number of African American Democratic House members could lose their seats during the upcoming midterm elections.

Trump’s policies which have prompted the decline in the U.S. economy resulting from the imposition of tariffs during 2025 and the unprovoked war against the Islamic Republic of Iran alongside its allies in Occupied Palestine beginning in late February of this year, has driven up prices in all major sectors. Large scale lay-offs in manufacturing and tech firms have not been addressed by the White House.

The disapproval ratings for the Trump administration are threatening the MAGA Republican base which dominates both the House and the Senate. Therefore, large scale disenfranchisement of African Americans by rendering their voting power dysfunctional is one of the options being utilized by the White House and its cohorts in Congress. 

A report published by The American Prospect described the assaults on African American voting rights as the resurrection of the “Dixiecrat” South. Although the MAGA Republicans claim that their policy decisions are not based upon institutional racist sentiments, it is quite evident that they are completely indifferent to the political aspirations of African Americans and other nationally oppressed communities. 

Despite the fact that the majority of African Americans still reside in the Southern states, The American Prospect says of the current situation:

“It has been just one month since the 6-3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court effectively nullified Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), making it lawful for states to draw congressional districts that systematically dilute the votes of Black and Latino Americans. Within hours, Southern states responded. Florida legislators passed a GOP gerrymander the day the decision was announced. Alabama moved to eliminate majority-minority districts even after primary-election votes had been cast, though an appellate court has temporarily blocked the state from proceeding. (UPDATE: The Supreme Court waved the gerrymandered map through last night.) In Tennessee, the district representing Memphis—majority-Black—was cracked into three, all now majority-white, all expected to turn red. By 2028, South Carolina will likely gerrymander out of existence the district that has elected the state’s only Black congressman, civil rights icon James Clyburn.” (https://prospect.org/2026/06/03/return-of-dixiecrat-south-voting-rights-act-racial-gerrymandering/)

Obviously, the political and social statuses of African Americans are imperiled. The shifting demographic character of the U.S. has undoubtedly worsened racial attitudes towards African Americans and other people of color communities.

Racial minorities are rapidly becoming a combined majority within the U.S. Since the majority of African Americans vote for Democratic candidates and the Republicans are largely a cult centered around the personality of Trump, the implications for policy remain dire for progressive forces.

The reduction of voting power among African Americans may please many whites in the U.S., however, it will harness greater mobilizations and organizational activities among the oppressed peoples particularly African Americans. 

Responses to Attacks on Voting Rights

There have been mass demonstrations against the Louisiana v. Callais decision and the subsequent legislation redrawing voting maps in Southern states. Alabama was a focal point of these protest actions since the state will be impacted by the Supreme Court decision while the historical irony of redrawing maps harkens back to Selma Campaign of the 1960s. 

The events leading up to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 resulted in the deaths of several activists. Jimmie Lee Jackson of Marion, Alabama was killed by a state trooper on February 25 in the aftermath of a night march. 

Later on March 9, Unitarian Universalist Minister James Reeb was beaten by a white mob in Selma after he had participated in a voting rights march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He died two days later from his injuries. Just two days prior to his beating, hundreds of activists had been attacked on the Edmond Pettus Bridge in the initial attempt to march from Selma to Montgomery demanding universal suffrage. 

Following the arrival of thousands in Montgomery on March 25, Detroit activist, Viola Liuizzo was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan while transporting demonstrators in her vehicle. These deaths are some of most well known in the long saga of struggles between 1955, when the bus boycott was held in Montgomery, Alabama, through the next 10 years. 

Even during the summer of 1964 when the Civil Rights Act was signed, three Civil Rights workers were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan. James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman were kidnapped and lynched in Neshoba County, Mississippi while they were participating in a voter registration campaign throughout the state. 

It remains to be seen whether such sacrifices will be made in the current period. In addition to mass demonstrations, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has called for African American students to boycott mainstream state higher educational institutions’ sports programs in the Southern states where redistricting is occurring. 

In a statement issued by the national NAACP, the organization is calling upon higher education students to place financial pressure on the universities and colleges by withholding their sporting talents and labor. There are tremendous profits garnered from college sports through ticket sales, advertising, and clothing. 

The NAACP said on May 19 that:

“The NAACP today launched the ‘Out of Bounds’ campaign, a national call for Black athletes, families, fans, alumni, and consumers to withhold athletic and financial support from public universities in states that have moved to limit, weaken, or erase Black voting representation in the wake of the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which gutted what was left of the Voting Rights Act. The NAACP identified eight priority states — Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Georgia — and targeted flagship public athletic programs generating more than $100 million in annual revenue that continue to recruit Black athletes while their state governments dismantle the political power of Black communities.” (https://naacp.org/articles/naacp-calls-black-athletes-fans-withhold-support-public-schools-states-attacking-black)

Other targets will be considered in this regard. During late 2025, a boycott of Targets was launched after they repudiated any form of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in line with the executive orders issued by the Trump administration. 

The conditions of worsening institutional racism and national oppression will foster creative methods of resistance. Moreover, the economic crisis in the U.S. and internationally will compel even more working class people to fight against the capitalist system. 

Ebola Patient Recovers in Eastern DR Congo's Goma

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-04 02:09:30|Editor: huaxia

Family members celebrate after a relative was declared cured of Ebola in Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), June 3, 2026. A patient infected with Ebola virus disease was discharged on Wednesday in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province in the eastern DRC, after being declared recovered by medical teams. The recovery brought relief to the patient's family, who said they had gone through days of anxiety and uncertainty. (Str/Xinhua)

KINSHASA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A patient infected with Ebola virus disease was discharged on Wednesday in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after being declared recovered by medical teams.

The recovery brought relief to the patient's family, who said they had gone through days of anxiety and uncertainty.

"We are very happy. Her illness worried us deeply. Since she was hospitalized, none of us could go to work. We were all anxious," said Kavira Kazadi, a family member of the patient.

The DRC government said on Tuesday that, as of Monday, six patients have recovered from Ebola, with 344 confirmed cases, including 60 deaths.

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders said on Monday that the Ebola response in North Kivu is being organized around systems already put in place during previous epidemics. In Goma, an Ebola treatment center with 80 beds has been set up, and the first patients have been admitted, according to the organization.

Goma, a major city in eastern DRC, has been under the control of the March 23 Movement rebel group since early 2025. Access to parts of North Kivu has remained difficult amid the continued insecurity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that it remains present in the Kivu region despite the security and access challenges in parts of eastern DRC.

"We have never left Kivu," said Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, in response to a question on access to North Kivu and Goma.

The WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern on May 17. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. 

Dialogue Commission Creating Platform for Consensus, Building Strong State: Deputy Chief Commissioner

Addis Ababa, June 3, 2026 - The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) affirmed that it has been creating a conducive platform for citizens to discuss key national issues that help to build consensus and contribute to the building of a strong and stable state. 

Deputy Chief Commissioner Hirut Gebreselassie told ENA that Ethiopia is at a critical juncture in its efforts to address longstanding differences among citizens through informed dialogue and inclusive consultation aimed at forging a lasting national consensus.

She recalled that the ENDC was established to facilitate a participatory process that enables citizens to openly discuss major national issues. 

Since its establishment, the Commission has conducted extensive consultations with Ethiopians both at home and abroad, collecting agendas and promoting broad public engagement.

According to Hirut, the consultation process has now reached a decisive stage, with preparations underway for the main national consultative conference. 

The Commission is currently organizing collected agendas and mobilizing the resources required for the conference.

Ethiopia has created an environment in which differences of opinion can be addressed through a structured and peaceful consultation process, she said.

"The various stages of the national consultation have demonstrated that it is possible to build consensus on major national issues through dialogue based on the supremacy of ideas," Hirut stated.

The Deputy Chief Commissioner further explained that citizens are actively participating in the development of a consultation framework designed to foster national consensus and strengthen state institutions through discussions on fundamental national questions.

The process has enabled diverse viewpoints and agendas to be freely expressed through the active participation of different segments of society, further reinforcing the inclusive nature of the consultation, she noted. 

According to her, the Commission is engaging with a wide range of stakeholders as part of preparations for the main conference, where critical national agendas will be deliberated.

She also revealed that efforts are underway to document the entire national consultation journey, including through digital platforms, to ensure future generations can learn from the experience.

"This clearly demonstrates the participatory and inclusive nature of Ethiopia's National Consultation Process," she said.

She also emphasized that the documentation effort, which includes research and analytical work, will also create opportunities for sharing Ethiopia's experiences and lessons with other countries.

The consultation process has entered the final phase of preparations for the official launch of the main national conference, with collected agendas being organized for discussion, she added.

The conference, she said, will be conducted with due consideration for Ethiopia's diversity and national unity, ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of all Ethiopians are represented.

Hirut also confirmed that the necessary technical and logistical preparations are being finalized to ensure the successful convening of the main national consultative conference.

AUC Chairperson Receives Credentials of Ethiopia’s New Permanent Representative to AU

Addis Ababa, June 3, 2026 - The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, today received the Letters of Credentials of Ethiopia’s newly appointed Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ambassador Lemlem Fiseha Minale.

During the credential presentation ceremony, the Chairperson congratulated Ambassador Lemlem on her appointment, expressing confidence that her extensive experience and leadership would further strengthen cooperation between Ethiopia and the African Union.

He also commended Ethiopia’s continued support for the Union and welcomed the peaceful and orderly conduct of the country’s recent electoral process.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and global developments, as well as key priorities facing the African Union.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to work closely with Ethiopia in advancing the objectives of the Union and addressing emerging challenges across the continent.

 For her part, Ambassador Lemlem praised the Chairperson’s leadership and reiterated Ethiopia’s firm commitment to supporting the African Union and its continental agenda.

She underscored her government’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the Commission and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Ethiopian leadership.

Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Reports High Voter Turnout, Largely Peaceful Election

Addis Ababa, June 3, 2026 —The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) said the voting process in Ethiopia’s 7th General Election reflected high voter turnout and was mostly peaceful, and conducted by election officials with high diligence in polling stations.

Briefing the media today, CECOE Board Chairperson Sahleselassie Abebe stated that the observers saw active participation of political parties, journalists, the media; and no major flaws were observed.

Coalition of the Civil Society Organizations commended Ethiopians for registering as voters and casting ballots, praising citizens for showing the initiative to line up patiently throughout the Election Day until the conclusion of the voting process.

According to the CECOE’s preliminary observation report released today, the Coalition deployed 2,506 sitting and 867 mobile observers recruited from 101 member organizations.

The CECOE reported that it monitored 7,723 polling stations, representing 15 percent of the 51,026 polling stations established by NEBE, using a proportional methodology based on the number of polling stations in each region.

The findings were drawn from five voting-day processes monitored at the polling station observer sites: Polling station setup and opening, voting, closing, ballot counting, and posting of results at polling station level. 

According to the Coalition, most polling stations complied with election rules on setup and voting procedures. 

Among the Coalition’s highlighted observations included that 99 percent of the monitored stations were established in legally permitted locations, observers able to enter and monitor without restriction at nearly all stations, with entry denied at 3 polling stations.

Voting and counting were generally not interrupted, and CECOE said violence, intimidation, or harassments were reported in only a small number of stations.

Political party representatives were present at 65 percent of the monitored polling stations, and public display of results was posted at 97 percent of polling of stations.

The CECOE, which reported no major flaws overall, pointed out to some issues requiring attention, including the establishment of polling stations in 11 prohibited places, campaigning or symbols inside or within 200 meters of 9 polling stations, and denial of observer entry at 11 stations.

Repeated and unauthorized assistance by individuals other than the polling station head were witnessed in 22 stations, temporary security disruptions affecting voting at 19 polling stations, as well as the presence of unauthorized individuals in 4 polling stations, the Board Chairperson said.

He also urged competing parties and the Ethiopian public to await results with patience, accept outcomes once announced by National Election Board of Ethiopia and submit any grievances through the existing legal framework.

Full details of the report will be presented in a comprehensive observation report to be released soon, it was learned.

Heads of AU and IGAD Election Missions Laud Ethiopia's Democratic, Electoral Evolution

Addis Ababa, June 3, 2026 —The African Union and IGAD Election Observation Missions to the 2026 Ethiopian election have commended the significant milestone in the country’s democratic and electoral evolution. 

The Heads of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) and IGAD Election Observation Mission to Ethiopia's 2026 election gave a joint press briefing and presented their preliminary findings today. 

Presenting the preliminary statement of the mission, AUEOM Head and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said the election was conducted within a legal and institutional framework that broadly supports democratic governance.

“The electoral environment on Election Day was generally calm, with voting proceeding in an orderly manner, and voters being processed steadily across most polling stations observed. This provided an opportunity for voters to cast their vote unhindered.”

According to the Head, the introduction of technology in voter registration to complement manual registration processes potentially contributed to the increased number of registered voters, specifically young people accustomed to using this technology.

The final African Union Observation Mission Report on the 7th General Election of Ethiopia will be released 30 days after the declaration of the final results, he said. 

The AUEOM Head also noted Ethiopia’s pioneering role for Africa's independence, expressing his firm hope for Ethiopia to become a nation that leads Africa to the next stage of a truly independent democratic continent, guided by her principles of inclusive growth and capable of living to the vision of African solutions to African problems. 

“Today is a day that the people of Ethiopia should be proud of. Today is a day we should remember your history, a nation that stood against the wave of colonialism, united and never colonized,” Uhuru Kenyatta said.

Ethiopia is a nation that stood for Africa's independence and for Africa's right to self-governance and rule; a nation, as a result of this that has become the capital of Africa, he further affirmed.

A great nation like Ethiopia should therefore take advantage of this moment to move and further deepen political and social dialogue.

For her part, IGAD Election Observation Mission Head and former Uganda Vice President Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe said the election marked an important milestone in Ethiopia's democratic and electoral evolution. 

Wandira-Kazibwe commended the people of Ethiopia, the government, the National Election Board and other electoral actors for conducting a successful election and peaceful electoral process. 

The Head further underscored that the general election represents a notable milestone in Ethiopia's democratic and electoral development, particularly the introduction of major technological and institutional reforms aimed at improving election administration and enhancing the inclusivity and credibility of electoral participation.

The significant milestone in Ethiopia's democratic and electoral evolution is accordingly demonstrated by the major institutional, administrative and technological reforms, she added.

On behalf of the IGAD Election Observation Mission, Wandira-Kazibwe extended sincere congratulations to the government, and the people of Ethiopia for the generally peaceful and orderly conduct of the electoral process.

The election underscores a shared national commitment to stability, constitutionalism, and democratic progress, she reiterated. 

Accordingly, IGAD reaffirms its commitment to supporting the government and the people of Ethiopia in promoting democracy, good governance and credible elections.

Ethiopia's General Election Conducted Peacefully Despite Security Challenges: Observers

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-04 00:58:15|Editor: huaxia

ADDIS ABABA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's seventh general election, held on Monday, was marked by high voter turnout and orderly, peaceful participation, according to preliminary reports by election observation missions of the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

While presenting the preliminary report on Ethiopia's general election on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, head of the AU Election Observation Mission Uhuru Kenyatta, also former Kenyan president, said that the election was conducted in a generally "peaceful and orderly manner."

"Overall, the mission observed that voting was conducted in a peaceful, transparent and orderly manner, although operational and accessibility challenges were noted in some polling stations," Kenyatta told a joint press conference.

He said AU observers noted high levels of procedural compliance, with voter identification and verification procedures consistently applied and ballot boxes properly sealed.

According to Kenyatta, the election took place in a challenging security environment, particularly in parts of the Oromia, Amhara and Tigray regions, where insecurity affected political activities, electoral preparations and voter participation.

Head of the IGAD Election Observation Mission Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, also Uganda's former vice president, said the election marked an important milestone in Ethiopia's democratic and electoral development.

She said the election reflected a collective commitment to stability, constitutionalism and democratic progress, while demonstrating the impact of reforms aimed at improving election administration, inclusiveness and credibility.

"Observers reported high voter turnout throughout the day, with long queues observed at many polling stations visited. Women and elderly voters constituted the majority of voters in the morning, while youth participation increased in the afternoon," she said.

"Eight constituencies in the Amhara region and 38 in the Tigray region did not participate in the electoral process," she said, highlighting that the relevant authorities have expressed commitment to conducting the election in these areas once conditions permit.

She added that special voting arrangements for members of the military, security services and internally displaced persons are scheduled for June 8, while the official announcement of the final election results is expected on June 11.

The AU deployed an observation mission comprising 73 observers drawn from 35 African countries, while IGAD deployed 27 observers across eight regions of Ethiopia to monitor the country's election.

Russian Edition of Volume I of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" Launched in St. Petersburg

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia2026-06-04 03:40:00

ST. PETERSBURG, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The Russian edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" was launched at the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Wednesday.

Roughly over 100 representatives from media outlets, think tanks and government authorities of China, Russia and other countries attended the launch ceremony.

During the ceremony, President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua, TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov and Chinese Consul General in St. Petersburg Luo Zhanhui jointly unveiled the new book.

Participants of the event noted that the book is a documentary work presenting a panoramic view of the great practices and remarkable achievements in China's governance in the new era. Packed with detailed case studies, objective perspectives and systematic elaboration, it fully documents China's arduous journey of overcoming difficulties and forging ahead in the new era.

The Russian edition of the book is expected to serve as an authoritative and vivid reference for people from various walks of life in Russia seeking to better understand how China has achieved its development and the effectiveness of its governance, while also building a solid bridge for deeper China-Russia cultural exchanges, said the participants.

Compiled by Xinhua News Agency and published by Xinhua Publishing House for global distribution, the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership" is now available in Chinese, English, Arabic, Russian and other languages. 

China’s $6 billion Investment Turns Africa’s Largest Car Manufacturing Hub into EV Battleground with Europe

BI Africa Contributor

31 May 2026 07:30 PM

China’s growing investment in Morocco is turning Africa’s largest carmaking hub into a key battleground with Europe in the global electric vehicle industry.

China is rapidly investing in Morocco, building a massive electric vehicle supply hub including industrial parks and a $1.3 billion battery gigafactory.

European Union policymakers fear that China is using Morocco as a backdoor to bypass heavy EV tariffs by exporting minimally processed parts tariff-free to Europe.

Moroccan officials deny the allegations, highlighting strong rules of origin and significant local value-add

The situation creates a dilemma for EU regulators, as penalizing Moroccan exports could disrupt supply chains for major European carmakers that operate in Morocco.

Outside the port city of Tangier, a 500-hectare industrial park called Tanger Tech City is quickly replacing farmland with factories. Numerous Chinese companies are setting up operations to manufacture tires, brakes, and battery components.

Further down the Atlantic coast, a Chinese battery manufacturer is constructing a 1.3 billion dollar gigafactory. Morocco aims to establish a complete manufacturing supply chain capable of providing parts for half a million electric vehicles per year by the end of 2026.

Tariffs and the Backdoor Fear

This massive influx of Chinese capital, which has reached roughly $6 billion since the pandemic, is causing severe anxiety for European Union policymakers in Brussels.

The EU has introduced heavy tariffs of up to 45 percent on electric vehicles imported directly from China to protect its own domestic market.

European officials worry that Beijing is using Morocco as a backdoor launch pad to avoid these trade barriers. They fear that heavily subsidized Chinese parts will undergo only minor processing in North Africa before being shipped tariff-free into Europe, allowing China to export its domestic industrial overcapacity.

European Union policymakers fear that China is using Morocco as a backdoor to bypass heavy EV tariffs by exporting minimally processed parts tariff-free to Europe.

The EU has already started pushing back, previously penalizing aluminum wheel shipments from Morocco after finding they received unfair state subsidies.

Moroccan trade officials strongly reject the idea that their economic zones are just a corporate camouflage for China to bypass Western trade barriers. Instead, they pitch Morocco as a legitimate, highly competitive manufacturing partner.

The nation offers major incentives, including a five-year corporate tax holiday, a young workforce, and local renewable energy that helps companies avoid Europe's strict carbon taxes.

Most importantly, Morocco has free trade agreements with both the EU and the US. Local authorities emphasize that Chinese firms must follow strict rules of origin, meaning components must be significantly transformed within Moroccan borders to legally qualify for tariff-free export.

A Dilemma for European Regulators

This situation presents a major dilemma for European regulators. Launching aggressive trade penalties against Morocco is incredibly complicated because European automotive giants like Renault and Stellantis already run massive factories there and rely on the local supply chain.

Furthermore, strict Moroccan labor laws mean these new factories must hire local workers, which has boosted the local economy and created jobs.

However, geopolitical experts warn that China has the financial muscle to dominate Morocco's entire vertical electric vehicle supply chain, from mining its massive phosphate reserves to building the transport infrastructure.

As the EU debates new laws to protect its eroding industrial base, Morocco is turning into a major economic battleground where Europe's defensive trade policies directly collide with China's manufacturing ambitions.

Victor Awogbemila

Americans Who Test Positive for Ebola at Kenya Facility Could be Treated in US, Federal Officials Say

By Deidre McPhillips

Jennifer Hansler

MSF teams wearing full protective equipment reinforce perimeter barriers around a restricted Ebola isolation zone and basic hygiene facilities at the General Referral Hospital on May 26, 2026 in Mongbwalu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Americans who test positive for Ebola while under observation at a facility in Kenya could be sent for treatment in the United States — an apparent shift from the Trump administration’s position that no Ebola cases would be allowed into the country.

“We’re not actually asking Kenya to set up treatment for Americans. I think the one that’s been very controversial is a misunderstanding. There is a facility that the Kenyans are allowing us to open. If there are any Americans that are exposed, potentially exposed, they will be transferred to this facility for observation,” Rubio said at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing.

“If they test positive at any time while in that facility, we will remove them from Kenya and send them to the nearest treatment facility, either in Europe or in the home – or in the United States, to be treated for Ebola,” he said.

Rubio, who said last week that “we cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States,” did not provide further details.

The Trump administration has been working to stand up a facility in Kenya to quarantine and treat Americans who have been exposed to Ebola in the area of the outbreak. However, the facility has faced significant backlash from Kenyan residents, and from health and medical experts in the US.

US officials had previously said that anyone at the Kenya facility who develops symptoms or tests positive would be evacuated to Europe.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the US National Institutes of Health and acting director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday that the facility was meant to provide “confidence” to Americans who may be exposed that there will be a dedicated place for them to cared for that they can reach quickly.

Treating American patients in the US is still an option, depending on individual circumstances, he said.

“We’re not ruling out moving people out to the United States if we believe that case requires more intensive management,” Bhattacharya told CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Wednesday on “Ebola: Facts and Fears,” a CNN All Access Subscriber Series event.

If they are exposed but don’t get sick, they can also quickly return to the DRC to help with the response again, he said.

A US official told CNN that the US facilities that would accept citizens who test positive would probably be in the continental United States, noting that the US has specialized hospitals including Atlanta’s Emory University.

They also noted that there are “very strong facilities in Europe,” including the hospital in Germany that is treating an American doctor who tested positive for the virus, and that those are “much closer.”

The official said that if people are symptomatic or need care, they would be evacuated directly to Europe or the US and would not go to the Kenya facility, which they said is intended primarily for observation of people who have a high-risk exposure but are not symptomatic or in need of complex treatment.

The official told CNN that it was never the case that Americans who had tested positive would be blocked from coming to the US.

Bhattacharya told CNN that he hasn’t spoken with Rubio but that the goal is to avoid “inadvertent entry.”

“The key thing is that, just make sure that there are no inadvertent cases imported in the United States, and to do that, we have these travel restrictions there for airports where screening is taking place for passengers that come from those areas, so they can get assessed by CDC teams rapidly. So far to date, I think, we’ve screened more than 2,000 passengers on this.”

Acting CDC director: US Ebola response isn’t diminished by cuts

Bhattacharya said that the United States has had a “very concerted response” since learning about the current Ebola outbreak and that cuts to the US Agency for International Development are not hindering it.

“The problem is really a technical challenge, and as far as will and technical expertise, we’ve been all in,” Bhattacharya told CNN.

The challenges come from managing an outbreak in remote areas of a conflict-ridden country, he said.

“I have not seen any diminishment in our capacity to manage the manage the outbreak,” Bhattacharya said. “What I do see is a massive challenge caused by just the unfortunate physical reality of how Ebola spreads, and a environment where there really is a lot of difficulty to reach local populations, because it’s a war-torn area controlled by warlords in many ways, where the government itself doesn’t have a tremendous amount of control.”

CNN

How big of a threat is Ebola?

The CDC has a team of 25 people who are in DRC all the time, largely based in the capital of Kinshasa, Bhattacharya said, and more have been surged to respond specifically to the outbreak. Nearly 90 more CDC staff are based in Uganda, which has also seen cases. Those teams are working to help with technical parts of the response, such as contact tracing and modeling projections for possible spread.

The US has also surged testing resources and personal protective equipment to help with the outbreak, he said, and the US State Department and the CDC are working closely with local nongovernmental organizations.

Bhattacharya said that the State Department has released $80 million in funding to support the DRC and that an additional $107 million for “rapid response support” has been sent to Congress for approval after getting signoff from US Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Outbreak may have started in February

A local leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo told CNN that they believe that the first Ebola case associated with the current outbreak may have occurred on February 22, months before the World Health Organization was alerted to the outbreak.

WHO was informed of a high-mortality outbreak of unknown illness in the Ituri Province on May 5, the organization has said. The DRC health ministry declared an Ebola outbreak on May 15, and WHO declared it to be a public health emergency of international concern on May 17.

The mayor of Mongbwalu, a remote gold mining town in Ituri province, told CNN’s Clarissa Ward that a coffin was burned after a body that had been in a local morgue was moved to a different coffin.

“Within two weeks of that, 48 people in his town were dead,” Ward told Cooper and Gupta during Wednesday’s event.

At first, local leaders thought tuberculosis may have been driving the deaths, she said.

They also conducted tests for Ebola, but those results were initially negative because they were looking for the more common Zaire strain, not the Bundibugyo strain that’s behind the ongoing outbreak.

“So you just lost all those weeks and weeks and weeks before they were able to identify that it was Ebola and declare an outbreak,” Ward said.

At a WHO briefing on Wednesday, officials said there is an ongoing investigation to understand the timeline of the outbreak — including field teams talking with community members to learn more. Officials said they think the outbreak started earlier, but they are waiting to complete the investigation to share a full report.

Bhattacharya told CNN that “the estimates are that the outbreak has been going on since at least February.”

But the “first notice of it was just a couple weeks ago, and since then, we have devoted considerable resources to address the outbreak,” he said.

Kenyan Government Exposed in Secret Agreement with Trump over Ebola Treatment Center 

High Court and physicians have categorically rejected the deal between Ruto and Washington as residents protest against the illegal deal with the United States administration

By Abayomi Azikiwe

Editor, Pan-African News Wire

Wednesday June 3, 2026

Geostrategic Analysis

Demonstrations erupted in Kenya over a deal struck between President William Ruto and the administration of his counterpart Donald Trump to house United States citizens returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who are suspected of contracting Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Both the Kenyan courts and the physicians’ union have rejected the governmental decision while widespread condemnation has spread across the board inside the country.

In the latest wave of EVD outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda, there have been no detected cases in the Republic of Kenya. Critics of the government of President Ruto say that the deal with Trump is reflective of the subservient partnership between Nairobi and the world’s leading imperialist state. 

A new outbreak of EVD was discovered during early May in the border areas of Ituri Province near Uganda. Since the outbreak more than 300 cases have been announced with most of them being in the DRC. Several cases have occurred in Uganda among people who had recently visited the DRC. Inside the eastern DRC, cases have also been detected outside of Ituri in North and South Kivu provinces. 

Overall, since the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the EVD, “the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there are 321 confirmed cases in the DRC and 116 suspected cases, with 48 confirmed deaths and more than 240 suspected deaths. Uganda has confirmed nine cases and one death, and one suspected case.” (https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/ebola-outbreak-drc-and-region-situation-report-1-june-2-2026)

Kenya is considered an affiliate of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formed in the aftermath of World War II to undermine and block the expansion of the socialist states in Europe and other geo-political regions. Since the post-WWII period, NATO has opposed the national liberation movements in Africa while being involved in the bombing of Libya in 2011 resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of millions more. 

Libyan leader Col. Mummar Gaddafi was overthrown and brutally executed at the aegis of the U.S. administration during the reign of then President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. Since the destruction of the Jamahiriya in Libya, the oil-rich state has been unable to form a unitary administration. 

After 2011, the rebels empowered by the imperialist governments of NATO and their allies spread out across North and West Africa where instability has occurred in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad and other states. Consequently, any ally or affiliate of NATO can in no way be considered a supporter of African unity, genuine independence, sovereignty and qualitative development.

A report published by the Associated Press on June 2 said of the situation in the East African state:

“Kenya’s President William Ruto has defended the establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility by the U.S., a move that led to further protests on Tuesday despite a court order blocking the plan. Ruto said on Monday that the U.S. had a long-standing partnership with Kenya on health matters and that the quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base was one of 24 facilities that had been established in the event of an Ebola outbreak in the country. Some Kenyans have opposed the Laikipia facility after the U.S. last week said no American Ebola patient would be allowed to return home and that patients would instead be quarantined at the facility in Kenya. The U.S. intends to commit $13 million to the partnership with Kenya. The high court on Tuesday extended orders issued Friday suspending the construction of the facility and the arrival of foreign patients. The case had been filed by the Law Society of Kenya and a constitutional watchdog, Katiba Institute, who cited Kenya’s fragile health system as unable to handle foreign patients.” (https://apnews.com/article/kenya-us-ebola-quarantine-ruto-a44b252906e45ef19c41195961b5e2e3)

Kenya Serves as Outpost for Imperialist Policies

This is not the first time in recent years that the Ruto government has endangered Kenyans to please the foreign policy imperatives of Washington. Despite opposition from political parties and the Kenyan courts, Ruto deployed hundreds of police officers to Haiti under a failed attempt to end unrest in this Caribbean island-nation. 

In regard to France, the Kenyan administration hosted a summit for Paris in early May in an effort to reconfigure the imperialist state’s dominance over territories in Africa after it has been forced out of the Alliance of Sahel States in the Western region. Therefore, whether it is France, the U.S. or the former colonial power of Britain which has military troops in Kenya as well, the Ruto administration is beholden to NATO irrespective of the wishes of the masses of people.

During the demonstrations on June 1, it was reported that two people were shot dead near the Laikipia Airbase. One of the deceased was not even involved in the protests, yet he was hit by police bullets. (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgz7zny3pzo)

Kenyan security forces have proven extremely violent in responding to peaceful demonstrations. During 2024, youth-led protests against an International Monetary Fund (IMF) instigated tax policy resulted in the injuring, arrests and deaths of many people. During the French conference hosted by the Kenya government, a few dozen people marched through the Central Business District (CBD) against the imperialist-backed meeting. The participants in the demonstration against the French-Africa Summit were subject to arrest and teargassing. 

During the following week, a transport workers strike was called as a result of the escalating price of fuel. These fuel price hikes are occurring internationally as a direct outcome of the Israeli-U.S. unprovoked war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Four people were reported killed during the transport workers strike and more than 30 suffered injuries.

Rather than work with the youth, workers and farmers of Kenya, the Ruto administration is thoroughly committed to pleasing Washington and Paris. Consequently, the political atmosphere in East Africa’s largest economy will remain volatile. 

WHO Director General Pays Working Visit to the DRC

In response to the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of the EVD, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited the DRC beginning on May 28. Dr. Tedros wanted to illustrate the serious concern which the WHO is taking related to the latest outbreak. (https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2026-message-by-the-who-director-general-to-the-people-of-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo)

Ebola was first detected in the-then Zaire, now the DRC, some five decades ago. The worst outbreak occurred in the West African states of Guinea-Conakry, Sierra Leone and Liberia during 2013-2015, where more than 28,000 cases were detected leading to an estimated 11,000 deaths.

Tedros noted that there could have been an overestimation of the number of Bundibugyo EVD cases and deaths in the latest wave. He pledged support from the WHO in addressing the current crisis.

A joint statement issued by the WHO and the DRC government said in part that:

“While the Bundibugyo strain presents additional challenges, including the absence of a licensed vaccine or specific treatment, proven public health measures remain effective in slowing transmission and potential full recovery. The Ministry of Health, WHO and partners are working to rapidly undertake randomized control trials on candidate vaccines and treatments.

Persistent challenges include early detection and isolation of cases, contact tracing, safe and dignified burials, robust infection prevention and control in health facilities, and strong community awareness. The Government and WHO call on all communities to continue adopting protective behaviors, including regular hand hygiene, early care seeking in health facilities, and sharing accurate information.” (https://www.who.int/news/item/31-05-2026-joint-statement-by-the-government-of-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-who-concerning-the-outbreak-of-ebola-disease-caused-by-the-bundibugyo-virus)

Since the U.S. withdrew from the WHO for a second time during both administrations of Trump, their approach to global public health has been a dubious one. The White House has consistently sought to avoid international cooperation with the geo-political regions of the Global South. 

This is why the anger in Kenya is quite understandable. The U.S. has liquidated the Agency for International Development (USAID) while seeking to negotiate separate health assistance agreements with African Union (AU) member-states. Some of these states have rejected the Trump administration proposals including the Southern African nations of Zambia and Zimbabwe along with the West African state of Ghana. (https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/trump-wants-minerals-health-data-for-aid-african-nations-are-pushing-back-c04bed87)

Even in Kenya during December 2025, the courts suspended the implementation of a bilateral agreement on healthcare with the U.S. The courts claimed that the terms of the agreement violated the privacy rights of Kenyans since Washington was demanding access to healthcare data. (https://nation.africa/kenya/news/court-halts-implementation-of-kenya-us-five-year-health-deal--5293872)

Consequently, the Kenyan government under Ruto has apparently relinquished its sovereignty to the Trump administration. Therefore, it will be up to the Kenyan people to point the way forward for domestic healthcare protocols and their relationship with foreign policy towards the U.S. and other imperialist states.

Kenyans Protest Planned US Ebola Quarantine Facility

By Al Mayadeen English

2 Jun 2026 08:22

Hundreds of Kenyans protested plans for a US-run Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki, days after a court temporarily suspended the controversial project.

Hundreds of residents took to the streets of the Kenyan town of Nanyuki on Monday to protest plans for a US-operated Ebola quarantine facility, intensifying opposition to a project that critics say could pose risks to public health and local communities.

Reuters reports that the demonstrations came just days after Kenya's High Court ordered a temporary suspension of the initiative following a legal challenge questioning the facility's safety and compliance with public health standards.

Footage from Nanyuki showed demonstrators gathering near the site of the proposed quarantine facility, blowing whistles, carrying signs, and blocking roads as opposition to the project continued to grow.

Residents estimated that hundreds participated in the protests, while video obtained by Reuters showed crowds assembled several kilometers from the military installation where the facility is expected to be established.

Local media outlets also broadcast footage showing heightened security around the base, including military personnel and armored vehicles stationed near its perimeter.

The facility is planned for an air force base in Laikipia County and is intended to house US citizens exposed to Ebola who remain asymptomatic.

Court suspends project amid legal challenge

The protests followed a High Court decision on Friday ordering the temporary suspension of the project after a lawsuit argued that the facility could endanger surrounding communities.

The legal challenge reflects growing concerns over transparency, public consultation, and potential health risks associated with locating the center near civilian populations.

Despite the court ruling, reports indicated that military activity continued around the base in the days that followed.

Diplomatic and security sources cited in the original report suggested that preparations linked to the quarantine unit may have continued even after the suspension order was issued.

Residents voice health and safety concerns

Many protesters expressed fears that the facility could increase the risk of exposure to infectious diseases in a town closely connected to the military base.

"We are picketing for our lives," protest organizer Patrick Wahome told Reuters. “Nanyuki is a very small town. The military personnel who serve the base... live with us. Our kids go to the same schools and that means if anyone is infected, we are all infected.”

The concerns highlight broader anxieties among residents about the potential consequences of housing a quarantine center in a densely interconnected community.

While Kenyan and US officials have emphasized that the facility is intended for precautionary isolation rather than treatment of active Ebola cases, opposition among local residents has remained strong.

Questions raised over continued US preparations

The controversy deepened after reports of continued aircraft activity at the military base despite the court's intervention.

Flight-tracking data cited in the original report indicated that a US military C-130 transport aircraft landed in Nanyuki as recently as Friday.

Residents also reported seeing additional military aircraft operating near the base over the weekend.

Although Reuters said it could not independently verify the nationality of all aircraft observed, the reports fueled speculation that preparations for the facility were continuing.

Kenya's Health Minister Aden Duale defended the project over the weekend, describing it as part of broader efforts to strengthen emergency response capabilities and public health preparedness.

Economic disruption and local opposition grow

The protests have also begun affecting local businesses.

Patrick Maina, a café owner in Nanyuki, said demonstrations and uncertainty surrounding the project had forced him to close operations.

“We haven’t opened since morning and it’s likely to be worse tomorrow,” he said.

As opposition continues to grow, residents are demanding the permanent cancellation of the facility and have warned that demonstrations could continue if authorities proceed with the plan.

Africa: An Ebola "Fortress Strategy" Will Fail - Lessons from the Past

Stephen Hird / ArcelorMittal

In the midst of the Ebola epidemic in west Africa in 2014-2016, the Luxembourg-based mining company ArcelorMittal, Liberia’s largest investor, kept operating, protected its workforce, and spearheaded the Ebola Private Sector Mobilization Group - a coalition of multinational mining, logistics, and energy companies across Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. The companies supported healthcare responders, constructed treatment units, and offered access to clinics and transport.

2 June 2026

allAfrica.com

guest column

By K. Riva Levinson

In late 2014, I watched the Zaire strain of Ebola overwhelm Liberia and Sierra Leone following its emergence from Patient Zero, a two-year-old toddler in Southern Guinea. The international community was frozen in bureaucratic inertia.

I remember a frantic 48 hours spent coordinating emergency lines between Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and U.S. congressional leaders to bypass gridlock in Washington and catalyze White House action—an operational challenge I detailed in the epilogue of my memoir, Choosing the Hero.

Precedent: Collective Mobilization

Yet, out of that raw friction, a groundbreaking public-private partnership emerged, driven by ArcelorMittal, Liberia's largest investor. Rather than evacuating personnel, the company kept operating, protected its workforce, and spearheaded the Ebola Private Sector Mobilization Group (EPSMG)—a coalition of over 40 multinational mining, logistics, and energy companies across Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

Working alongside healthcare responders, the EPSMG pooled heavy machinery to construct treatment units, synchronized supply chains, offered access to clinics and transport, and shared daily protocols. The coalition proved that multinational infrastructure could serve as a vital stabilizing force. This case study remains a definitive, actionable model for crisis teamwork in developing countries.

Illusion of an Isolated Defense

Twelve years later, a similar crisis is unfolding across East and Central Africa. A significant outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain is expanding rapidly through the mineral-rich fields of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and into Uganda. Today's mining companies, facing intense operational and safety mandates, are understandably relying on an inward-looking strategy, creating heavily secured perimeters to insulate their immediate workforces and protect industrial continuity.

But these corporate operations cannot isolate themselves from how the virus moves. Transmission is being driven by highly mobile artisanal miners navigating cross-border trade routes. The outbreak has already pushed past 900 suspected cases and more than 130 laboratory-confirmed cases.

Because the Bundibugyo strain lacks an approved vaccine or therapeutic stockpile, containment relies entirely on field diagnostics, aggressive contact tracing, and physical isolation—capabilities that corporate infrastructure is uniquely positioned to help scale.

Responding to domestic pressure, the Trump administration has adopted a fortress mentality. This is highlighted by a plan to construct a 50-bed quarantine field hospital at an airbase in central Kenya to hold and treat Americans exposed to Ebola, a policy which has faced local opposition. Regional allies are rightly asking what reciprocal protections they receive under this posture.

Furthermore, restricting infected American citizens from returning home undermines the most basic responsibility of the U.S. government to its citizenry. Instead, the administration should reactivate the specialized biocontainment units and regional treatment centers established across the country after 2014, providing a secure, managed pathway for medical evacuations.

Long-term operational survival depends on expanding containment protocols beyond corporate boundaries and extending the U.S. military ethos to our frontline volunteers and healthcare workers: "No Man Left Behind."

Architecture for Joint Intervention

While the Trump Administration should be commended for its $162 million commitment to the ongoing response in Africa and its $350 million in humanitarian assistance to the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, funding alone is insufficient to halt the spread. Due to the administrative limitations of implementing partners and a diminished USAID ground presence, capital is not translating into rapid containment.

A mineral pipeline cannot operate if transit corridors are paralyzed by an uncontained virus. Because the epicenter sits within commercial mining concessions, Washington must practice true commercial diplomacy—aligning public resources with established private infrastructure by deploying public health experts directly into secure corporate perimeters.

Inside these corporate walls, medical teams gain immediate access to uninterrupted power, clean water, and private airstrips for safe housing, asset storage, and laboratory processing. This allows international responders to secure their logistical nodes while safely executing public clinics, clinical trials, and community outreach in neutral civic spaces just outside the gates..

Barrick Gold Corporation, which operates the world-class Kibali mine, has the capacity to act as a regional anchor, maintaining advanced on-site multi-module PCR laboratory networks, deep ties to state mining body SOKIMO, and a private air charter fleet. AngloGold Ashanti retains an equal 45 percent stake in the project, meaning both global majors have a massive, shared financial interest in maintaining operational stability along this transit corridor.

Further down the supply line in North Kivu, mid-tier operators like Alphamin Resources maintain robust site security layouts and run protected logistics convoys directly to Goma, while just across the border in Rwanda's Western Province, mineral operators use these exact transit channels. Other global majors like Glencore and Ivanhoe Mines possess the massive corporate supply chains and heavy transport fleets required to support and sustain large-scale regional logistics under crisis conditions.

Yet, while Western majors build out and maintain these vital stabilizing networks, China's massive mining footprint along the broader corridor remains characteristically absent from the response. Despite dominating regional resource extraction, Chinese state-backed operators strictly focus on industrial assets and localized supply chains, leaving the broader systemic burden of regional stability entirely to other international stakeholders.

Call to Action for Washington and the Boardrooms

The path forward requires immediate, synchronized action to turn these existing pieces into a functional shield:

Activate the Great Lakes Private Sector Mobilization Group (GL-PSMG): Barrick Gold, AngloGold Ashanti, Glencore, Ivanhoe Mines, Alphamin, RETC, Aterian, and SOKIMO should pool their logistics, air fleets, and open gates to help surge healthcare responders.

Operationalize Public-Private Risk Pooling: The State Department should trigger compact frameworks as funding vehicles, matching U.S. surge capital with the physical assets of the mining consortium to support international responders.

Support Nairobi as a Logistical Hub: Instead of trying to isolate sick Americans there, Washington needs to work with Kenya to transform its regional presence into the primary staging and supply line for healthcare workers deploying directly into the DRC and Uganda.

Reactivate U.S. Biocontainment Infrastructure: Ensure specialized domestic treatment centers are open and prepared to manage medical evacuations directly.

The model pioneered in west Africa in 2014 proved that private infrastructure is an invaluable public asset when paired with bold national and international response coordination.

FROM THE ARCHIVE:

Companies Tackle Escalating Ebola Crisis

K. Riva Levinson is the President and CEO of KRL International LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based communications and government relations firm specializing in emerging markets. She is a veteran international strategist and the author of the award-winning memoir, Choosing the Hero.

Guineans Denounce an 'Electoral Farce' After Low Turnout in Legislative Polls

Aboubacarkhoraa / Wikimedia Commons

Soldiers in a Conakry street.

1 June 2026

By Rfi

Legislative and municipal elections were held in Guinea on Sunday to complete the process of returning constitutional order to the country after the December 2025 presidential election While this double ballot took place without major incident, voter turnout was low.

Five months after the presidential election held on 28 December 2025, nearly 7 million Guinean voters went to the polls on Sunday for legislative and municipal elections presented as the completion of the process of returning the country to constitutional order.

This comes after a transition period triggered by the coup led by General Mamadi Doumbouya in September 2021 in the former French colony.

This double election will determine the 147 members of the country's future National Assembly as well as the municipal councillors for Guinea's 375 local authorities.

It took place peacefully, without major incident, according to RFI's correspondent in Conakry, Tangi Bihan.

Voter participation was subdued throughout the day however, as observed by Ousmane Kaba, a parliamentary candidate who came to vote in Nongo, in the Lambanyi district - one of the 12 districts that make up the city of Conakry.

"Turnout was very low," he told RFI. "In my polling station, there were only two or three of us around noon ... I therefore urge the DGE [General Directorate of Elections] to ensure that these elections are transparent, that there is absolutely no manipulation."

A voter known as Abdoul to RFI that "it was important to vote, even if the turnout was low." He supports Doumbouya. "I want him to have a large majority in the Assembly so he can pass his laws and the country can develop economically," he told explained.

'Electoral farce'

But many others expressed doubt.

In the Camayenne district located near the city centre, a voter known as Amadou said he did not go to vote, following instructions given by the Forces vives de Guinée - the coalition which brings together civil society organisations and several opposition parties.

The group includes parties dissolved last March such as the Rassemblement du peuple de Guinée (RPG) or the Union des forces démocratiques de Guinée (UFDG) - which had called for a boycott.

"The conditions weren't right for voting," Amadou told RFI. "These elections aren't fair. They're neither free nor transparent, because the results are known in advance. So what's the point of going to the polls?"

"Whether you vote or not, there's no mystery," said another voter, who also boycotted the polling booth, speaking to another RFI correspondent in Conakry. "If only the votes cast were taken into account, I would exercise my right to vote. But neither the so-called Elections Directorate nor the Supreme Court will do so. I therefore feel completely uninvolved in this electoral farce," he added.

The low turnout in these elections could also be the result of the date chosen by the authorities, just a few days after Tabaski, according to several observers of Guinean political life.

The festival is generally celebrated with family in the village so many voters may therefore not have yet returned to their constituencies for election day.

Ecowas and other observers were deployed across the country.

Results might take days to come out: Partial or local results should begin circulating within 24 to 72 hours, and provisional national results within several days, depending on how quickly constituency tallies are transmitted. Final validated results will come later, after any appeals or certification procedures.

This piece has been adapted from the original article in French by RFI's Tangi Bihan

Read or Listen to this story on the RFI website.

Rwanda: UK Wins Court Case Over Canceled Rwanda Asylum Plan

New Times

UK-Rwanda migrants deal collapsed.

1 June 2026

Deutsche Welle (Bonn)

By Mark Hallam with AFP, AP, Reuters

An international court has rejected a Rwandan claim for millions in damages over a scrapped deal to send asylum seekers to the East African nation.

International arbiters have rejected a Rwanda appeal for damages over the refugee resettlement deal it had signed with the previous British government, which was scrapped by incoming Prime Minister Keir Starmer immediately after taking office in 2024.

The contentious plan, which seemed at risk of being annulled by British courts anyway, foresaw sending migrants who arrive in the UK illegally seeking asylum to Rwanda, where they would be permitted apply for asylum and residency.

The incoming government called it a "gimmick" and a "shocking waste of taxpayer money," saying Britain had already spent the better part of a billion pounds on a scheme that was unlikely ever to take effect as envisaged.

What was the case about? 

Rwanda was appealing for two annual payments, each of 50 billion pounds (roughly €58 billion or $67 billion), originally due in April 2025 and 2026 — saying Starmer's government, which took office in the summer of 2024, still owed it these installments.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration found that written diplomatic exchanges between the two countries after Starmer scrapped the deal in 2024 amounted to confimration that the UK would not be making the payments.

For 2025's payment, the decision was a majority verdict; in 2026's case, it was unanimous. The decision was dated May15, but formally announced by the Hague-based panel on Monday.

"The UK robustly defended its position, and the tribunal has now ruled in favor of the UK on all grounds," the British government said in response.

Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Rwanda "respects the tribunal's award and considers the matter concluded" — albeit noting that the 2025 decision had been open to different interpretations.

What was the agreement? 

The deal, struck by Starmer's predecessor Rishi Sunak in 2022 and first floated by Boris Johnson before him, aimed to send migrants who arrived illegally in the UK seeking asylum to the East African country.

It included arrangements for payments to Rwanda's government to help cover the costs.

The deal came amid public dissatisfaction in the UK with irregular migration and pressure on the then-Conservative government from more right-wing political forces, not least Nigel Farage, now the leader of Reform UK.

It also coincided with a sharp increase in legal migration, which came despite — or indeed because of — the UK leaving the European Union, a step that advocates like Farage and former Prime Minsiter Boris Johnson had said would lead to reduced migration.

Why was it contentious? 

The deal had already run into domestic legal difficulties prior to Labour, which said it would abolish the plan during campaigning, winning the 2024 election and scrapping it.

In November 2023, the UK's Supreme Court ruled that the policy was unlawful. The court said the agreement left people sent to Rwanda open to human rights breaches and that it could not be implemented in its current form. The bill was amended and put through parliament again, but it passed just weeks before elections the Conservatives seemed sure to lose and so never faced renewed legal scrutiny.

Earlier in 2023, flights carrying migrants to Rwanda had been prevented from taking off on the grounds that the deal might not comply with British law. Ultimately, only four people were sent to the East African country on a voluntary basis, the only way it was permissible, before the accord was scrapped.

"The previous government's policy wasted time and 700 million [pounds] ‌of taxpayer money to send four volunteers to Rwanda," a spokesman for the current government alleged.

Rwanda and Starmer's government had already clashed over Britain reducing aid payments to Rwanda, accusing it of supporting the M23 rebel group in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which Kigali denies.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar

UN Warns World to Prepare for El Nino Extreme Weather

Weather

There is an 80-percent chance of the warming El Nino phenomenon developing between June and August, increasing the risk of extreme weather events, the World Meteorological Organization said Tuesday.

"Fueled by unusually warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific, El Nino conditions are developing and are set to influence global temperature and rainfall patterns," the United Nations' WMO weather and climate agency said.

Forecasts from the WMO global network "indicate a pronounced shift toward El Nino conditions, with probabilities reaching 80 percent for June-August", the Geneva-based organisation said.

El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, bringing worldwide changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns.

It typically takes place every two to seven years and lasts around nine to 12 months.

Conditions oscillate between El Nino and its opposite La Nina, with neutral conditions in between.

The likelihood of El Nino developing by November is "near or above 90 percent", and most forecast models suggest it will be "at least moderate -- and possibly strong", the WMO said in its quarterly El Nino/La Nina update.

WMO chief Celeste Saulo said the world needed to get ready for an El Nino which could "exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean".

The WMO says that even a moderate El Nino makes some weather and climate extremes more likely.

The last El Nino contributed to making 2023 the second-hottest year on record and 2024 the all-time high at around 1.55C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.

- 'Urgent climate warning': Guterres -

In late April to mid-May, the sea-surface temperature in the central-eastern Equatorial Pacific -- the area used as a monitoring reference -- was approaching El Nino thresholds, the WMO said, with sub-surface temperatures more than 6C above average.

Meanwhile, the Southern Oscillation Index -- the atmospheric component of El Nino -- is also consistent with the phenomenon developing.

The WMO said there was no evidence that climate change increases the frequency or intensity of El Nino events.

However, the agency believes it can amplify the associated effects, because a warmer ocean and atmosphere increase the availability of energy and moisture for extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall.

"El Nino is arriving on our doorstep," UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a video message.

"The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world.

"The only effective response is climate action equal to the crisis -- ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all."

Saulo said 128 countries now have multi-hazard early-warning systems in place, with the UN target being universal coverage by the end of 2027.

- Temperatures above normal -

While El Nino typically peaks between November and February, the resulting spike in temperatures typically comes later down the line.

Next month's forecast is likely to be more accurate as to the onset of El Nino and its strength.

The WMO said that for June to August, forecasts project "a nearly universal dominance of above normal temperatures in nearly all parts of the globe".

This increases the risk of compounding hazards in some regions and accelerating the onset of drought conditions where rainfall is reduced, it said.

Saulo said El Nino would have "cascading impacts", with a warming ocean in the tropics resulting in effects on global trade.

These go from "variability of the climate, into the economy and security of the people. That's why this information is so relevant and so important", she told reporters.

The WMO hopes advance warning will guide preparedness, especially in climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, water management, energy and health.

Regional climate centres are predicting "below-normal" rainfall during the critical June-September rainy season in the northern Greater Horn of Africa; below-average monsoon rainfall in south Asia; and drier and warmer summer conditions in central America.

During the northern hemisphere summer, warm waters associated with El Nino can fuel hurricanes in the central and eastern Pacific, while hindering their development in the Atlantic Ocean.

In Further Rightward Moves Ghana's Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Faces Further Review?

Ghana

Ghanaian President John Mahama has said a controversial bill that would further restrict LGBTQ+ rights will undergo legal scrutiny before it can become law.

The legislation, passed by parliament last week, proposes prison sentences of up to three years for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. It also includes provisions requiring individuals to report prohibited activities to authorities.

Speaking during a visit to the United Kingdom, Mahama said the bill would be carefully examined by his legal advisers and the attorney general before any further steps are taken.

He noted that the legislation originated as a private members' bill rather than a government-sponsored proposal, making additional legal review necessary.

"We will look at it and make sure that everything is in order," the president said. He added that if concerns arise, the bill could be referred to the Council of State, an advisory body that assists the president on national matters.

Mahama also indicated that parliament's Speaker was addressing procedural issues linked to the bill's passage.

The legislation marks the second attempt by lawmakers to introduce sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ measures.

An earlier version was first tabled in 2021 following the closure of an LGBTQ+ community centre in the capital, Accra. Although parliament approved that bill in 2024, it never received presidential assent before former President Nana Akufo-Addo left office.

At the time, several legal challenges were filed at Ghana's Supreme Court, prompting Akufo-Addo to withhold approval pending the outcome of the cases.

The current bill was reintroduced this year by lawmakers from across the political spectrum.

However, some opposition MPs argue that the latest version is less stringent than the legislation approved in 2024.

According to minority lawmakers, amendments have weakened some of the provisions they believed would have made the law a stronger deterrent.

One notable change is the exemption granted to healthcare workers, legal professionals and journalists who provide services to LGBTQ+ individuals or report on issues affecting the community.

At the same time, the legislation retains penalties for people deemed to be promoting or supporting LGBTQ+ rights. Individuals identified as allies could face criminal sanctions under the proposed law.

The bill has drawn strong criticism from human rights organisations both within Ghana and internationally.

Human Rights Watch has urged lawmakers to abandon the legislation, arguing that it infringes on fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under international law.

Supporters of the measure reject those concerns. They argue that the bill is needed to protect what they describe as Ghanaian cultural and family values.

The debate reflects a wider trend across parts of Africa, where several countries have adopted tougher measures targeting LGBTQ+ communities in recent years.

Ghana, UK Sign Growth Partnership Deal to Address Education and Job Creation

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy greets Ghana's President John Mahama at 10 Downing Street in London, Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Ghana and the United Kingdom signed on Monday the landmark UK-Ghana Partnership, which is to help transform the economy and create thousands of opportunities for people.

The deal, worth £215 million, was signed by the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Christian Rogg, and his counterpart, Sabah Zita Benson, Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK, during the Ghana-UK Investment Summit in London on Monday.

It targets four main areas that include delivering world-class education, enabling easier trade for Ghanaian businesses, attracting private investment and driving industrial growth.

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama said at the summit that Ghana was on the right path to restoring the economy. Ghana has faced significant economic difficulties, including rising inflation, heightened debt vulnerability, and weakening investor confidence.

Mahama said that Ghana's inflation has now significantly declined from 23.8 per cent in December 2024 to 3.4 per cent as of April 2026.

"Our international reserves have strengthened considerably, rising from approximately US$8.9 billion to nearly US$13.8 billion, providing stronger external buffers and exchange rate stability. Interest rates are easing. The Ghana cedi has stabilised and appreciated against major international currencies. Ghana’s sovereign credit outlook has improved following recent upgrades by international ratings agencies," he said.

Teachers Protest Schoolchildren Kidnappings in Nigeria

Teachers in major Nigerian cities Tuesday protested a string of kidnappings and attacks targeting schools by armed groups.

Gunmen abducted at least 46 pupils and staff from three schools in the southwestern state of Oyo on May 15, in an attack the army said was carried out by jihadists.

At least 42 more -- including schoolchildren as young as two years old -- were taken from their schools in northeastern Borno state the same day.

Kidnapping for ransom -- especially of schoolchildren -- is an ongoing battle for authorities in conflict-hit northern Nigeria, but the mass abductions were unusual for calmer Oyo state.

"Kidnapping has no place in education," read a banner held by protesters in Oyo capital Ibadan, as an Afrobeats song critical of the government bellowed from the large speakers mounted on a van.

In Lagos, meanwhile, protesters marched to the state house of assembly to demand the release of the students.

"Education is under siege," Hassan Taiwo of the Education Rights Campaign, told AFP, denouncing an "epidemic of attacks on school and abduction of school children and teachers that we have experienced over the years."

"We pray that our teachers and students are released," Jessica Obong, spokeswoman for Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), told AFP.

But she dismissed calls by some for schools to be closed, insisting it would only play into the hands of the attackers.

The teachers' union in Oyo went on an indefinite strike starting Monday. But a nationwide strike is not being discussed yet, Obong said.

Protesters in the northeastern city of Maiduguri said attacks on schools are worsening across Borno state, the epicentre of Nigeria's 17-year-old jihadist insurgency.

Borno was the site of Boko Haram's most infamous mass school abduction in April 2014, when the jihadist group kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from a girls-only school in the town of Chibok.

A series of mass school kidnappings in the final quarter of 2025 -- including the abduction of about 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi state in November and the seizure of roughly 300 students and several teachers in Niger state the same month -- drew renewed international attention to insecurity in the country.

"We want the government and security agencies to act swiftly and show the families that they have not been forgotten," teacher Kaumi Usman told AFP in Maiduguri.

Additional sources • AFP