West and Central Africa: Latest events at a glance (13 to 19 August 2024)

Africa

Mpox declared a public health emergency in Africa

On 14 August, Mpox has been declared a public health emergency in Africa by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Since the beginning of the year, more than 13,700 cases and 450 deaths have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the virus has spread to other countries, including the Central African Republic. Mpox can cause symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and lesions across the body and, if left untreated, can be deadly. According to the head of the Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, the plan is to secure about 10 million vaccine doses to limit the spread of the disease across Africa.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

More than 13,400 newly displaced people in Nyarambe, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Local health authorities and humanitarian partners report that over 13,400 people have been displaced in more than 20 areas in the Nyarambe health zone, Mahagi territory, near the border with Uganda. These people are reported to have fled between 31 July and 2 August due to fighting between the Congolese army and a non-state armed group in the localities of Tchomia (Djugu territory) and Kasenyi (Irumu territory). This new wave of internal displacement adds to the more than 20,000 people who have been displaced in the area over the past two years. Humanitarian actors report a worsening situation in the displacement sites due to overcrowding.

Chad

Unprecedented flooding displaces thousands

In the eastern Sila province, heavy rains caused the Wadi River to overflow on 13 August, inundating the town of Koukou and surrounding villages. Humanitarians report that approximately 65,000 people have been affected – an unprecedented number for the region. Across the country, over 300,000 people have been impacted by severe rainfall, with many areas becoming inaccessible. The situation is further compounded by the ongoing influx of refugees from neighbouring Sudan and preexisting challenges such as malnutrition and food insecurity. The Chad Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is currently only 24 per cent funded, highlighting the critical need for increased support. However, the crisis extends beyond the east. Central and southwestern Chad have also experienced severe flooding, resulting in at least 54 reported fatalities as of 16 August. The Tibesti region in the northwest is among the hardest hit, with over 5,300 people displaced, 261,000 affected, and 16,200 homes damaged or destroyed since 15 July. With more heavy rain forecast for western and southern Chad in the coming days, the humanitarian situation is expected to deteriorate further.

Central African Republic

Parties to conflict begin disarmament talks in Bangui

On 14 August, the Central African Government and a representative of a coalition of six major non-state armed groups, met in Bangui to discuss the modalities for disarming combatants and initiating a peace process. Earlier in the month, the Government urged the coalition to designate representatives and register their armed elements and equipment for disarmament, after one of the coalition’s leaders expressed a willingness to end hostilities and engage in talks. The coalition was formed in 2020 in protest of the 2019 peace accord.