African Leaders Coordinate Ebola Response as President Guelleh Joins High-Level Virtual

Djibouti City, June 18, 2026 - Djibouti's President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh joined a high-level virtual meeting of African heads of state and government to coordinate the regional response to the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The meeting focused on the evolving epidemiological situation following the declaration of the outbreak in the DRC one month earlier, as leaders expressed concern over the pace of transmission and the challenges facing response efforts in affected areas.

Participants reviewed the latest figures from the two affected countries, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo reporting 695 confirmed Ebola cases, including 138 deaths, while Uganda had recorded 19 confirmed cases and two fatalities.

Discussions centered on strengthening disease control measures, particularly in eastern DRC, including the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. Leaders emphasized the importance of expanding testing, improving contact tracing, reinforcing epidemiological surveillance, and enhancing regional cooperation to contain the outbreak, especially in conflict-affected areas where access for health workers remains difficult.

The virtual summit brought together several African leaders, including Évariste Ndayishimiye, Chairperson of the African Union; Cyril Ramaphosa; Duma Boko; Azali Assoumani; Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo; Emmerson Mnangagwa; and Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.

Also participating was António Guterres, reflecting the international significance of the outbreak and the need for coordinated global support.

President Guelleh, who currently chairs the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), was accompanied during the meeting by Foreign Affairs Minister Aboulkader Houssein Omar, Health Minister Mouna Osman Aden, and Presidential Diplomatic Adviser Fathia Djama Oudine.

The discussions underscored the importance of regional solidarity and coordinated action to strengthen surveillance, improve outbreak response, and prevent further cross-border transmission of Ebola in East and Central Africa.