A serious Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reportedly resulted in 131 deaths, prompting the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise international concern over the rapidly spreading disease.

Reports indicate that authorities are monitoring more than 543 suspected infections, with 33 cases officially confirmed. Two confirmed infections have also been detected in neighbouring Uganda, increasing fears of cross-border transmission.

Health officials say the outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern over the growing crisis, warning about the fast spread and increasing scale of the outbreak.

The epidemic is mainly affecting eastern DRC, where years of armed conflict and weakened healthcare systems are complicating efforts to trace infections and contain the virus.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral illness transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Common symptoms include high fever, intense headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and, in some cases, internal bleeding.

Medical experts say early treatment, proper hydration and isolation can improve survival chances, but response teams continue to face challenges due to insecurity in affected areas and limited testing resources.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will convene a high-level Joint Meeting of Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture in Victoria Falls later this month as regional leaders intensify efforts to strengthen food security and unlock opportunities within the blue economy.

The ministerial meeting is scheduled for 29 May 2026 at Safari Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and will bring together ministers and senior government officials from across the SADC region to deliberate on strategies aimed at improving agricultural production, strengthening resilience against climate-related shocks, and enhancing fisheries and aquaculture development.

The conference will be chaired by John Henry Steenhuisen, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, in his role as Chairperson of the Joint Committee of SADC Ministers of Agriculture and Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources, Anxious Masuka, is expected to officially open the gathering.

Ahead of the ministerial meeting, senior officials responsible for agriculture, fisheries and food security from SADC Member States will meet from 27 to 28 May to prepare technical recommendations and assess progress on previous regional resolutions.

According to SADC, the discussions will focus on accelerating transformation of regional food systems, improving climate resilience, and promoting sustainable use of aquatic resources as part of broader regional economic development goals.

Among the major issues set for discussion is the current food and nutrition security situation in Southern Africa, including a review of the 2025/26 rainfall season, agricultural production outlooks, and forecasts for the 2026/27 farming season.

Ministers will also receive updates on the 5th Biennial Review of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), progress under the Support Towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II), and regional efforts to increase youth participation in agribusiness.

The agenda further includes discussions on the SADC Rice Development Strategy, regional crop development programmes, harmonised fertiliser and seed regulatory systems, and plant health strategies aimed at boosting agricultural productivity across member states.

Livestock disease control is also expected to feature prominently, particularly the regional response to Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). SADC ministers are expected to review ongoing efforts to strengthen cross-border surveillance, harmonise vaccination programmes, improve information sharing, and mobilise resources to protect livestock-based livelihoods and regional trade.

The meeting will additionally examine the state of fisheries and aquaculture in Southern Africa, including implementation of the Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors (PROFISHBLUE), genetic improvement of tilapia production, and revisions to the SADC Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan.

Resolutions from the Victoria Falls meeting are expected to feed into the SADC Council of Ministers and contribute towards implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, the SADC Food and Nutrition Security Strategy, and SADC Vision 2050.

Southern African Development Community currently comprises 16 member states and focuses on promoting regional integration, economic development, peace, and sustainable growth across Southern Africa.

Itai Mazire

Zimbabwe has been given the green light to begin formal negotiations for membership to the New Development Bank, also known as the BRICS Bank, in a major diplomatic and economic breakthrough Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.

“The Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe welcomes the decision by the Board of Directors of the New Development Bank authorizing the commencement of formal negotiations regarding Zimbabwe’s membership of the Bank,” said Prof. Mthuli Ncube.

Prof. Mthuli revealed that official communication had been received from NDB President Dilma Rousseff confirming the start of the accession process.

“This landmark development represents a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement agenda and reflects growing international confidence in the country’s economic reform programme.”

Membership is expected to unlock long-term development financing for key national priorities under the country’s NDS2 plan and Vision 2030, including infrastructure modernisation, energy security, industrialisation and climate resilience.

“Membership to the New Development Bank is expected to strengthen Zimbabwe’s capacity to mobilise long-term development financing for key national priorities under NDS2, as espoused by H.E. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra of ‘leaving no one and no place behind.”

“The Government remains committed to implementing bold reforms that promote sustainable economic growth, job creation, innovation and inclusive prosperity, while positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive and resilient upper middle-income economy,” said Prof. Ncube

The move advances Zimbabwe’s push to deepen South-South cooperation and integrate into the global financial revolution associated with BRICS.