During the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), clinical breakthroughs with the potential to significantly reduce both the death toll and the duration of the outbreak were made. However, as our guests argued in <a id= "menur1gg" class= "fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title= "https://cic.nyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/report-ebola-drc-the-perverse-effects-of-a-parallel-health-_system.pdf" href= "https://cic.nyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/report-ebola-drc-the-perverse-effects-of-a-parallel-health-_system.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label= "Link research">research</a> conducted for the Congo Research Group in 2020, the international response was organised through parallel health structures rather than the existing Congolese health system. This approach contributed to undermined trust, outbreaks of violence and ultimately prolonged the outbreak. Now, in 2026, similar questions are emerging about the measures being taken at the local, national, regional and international levels to contain what has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record two months after it was officially declared. In this episode, Dr Rachel Niehuus and Bienvenu Mukungilwa join the Africa Programme's Dr Joshua Z. Walker and Lisa Musumba to explore how the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC once again exposes tensions between ad hoc international health responses and local healthcare systems – reinforcing the urgent need to strengthen national healthcare systems in the DRC and across Africa for more effective outbreak preparedness and response. Find out more: <a href= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/05/ebola-dr-congo-catastrophic-collision-disease-and-conflict-independent-thinking-podcast"> Ebola in DR Congo: A 'catastrophic collision of disease and conflict'. Independent Thinking podcast</a>

During the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), clinical breakthroughs with the potential to significantly reduce both the death toll and the duration of the outbreak were made. However, as our guests argued in research conducted for the Congo Research Group in 2020, the international response was organised through parallel health structures rather than the existing Congolese health system. This approach contributed to undermined trust, outbreaks of violence and ultimately prolonged the outbreak. Now, in 2026, similar questions are emerging about the measures being taken at the local, national, regional and international levels to contain what has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record two months after it was officially declared. In this episode, Dr Rachel Niehuus and Bienvenu Mukungilwa join the Africa Programme's Dr Joshua Z. Walker and Lisa Musumba to explore how the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC once again exposes tensions between ad hoc international health responses and local healthcare systems – reinforcing the urgent need to strengthen national healthcare systems in the DRC and across Africa for more effective outbreak preparedness and response. Find out more: Ebola in DR Congo: A 'catastrophic collision of disease and conflict'. Independent Thinking podcast

During the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), clinical breakthroughs with the potential to significantly reduce both the death toll and the duration of the outbreak were made. However, as our guests argued in <a title="https://cic.nyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/report-ebola-drc-the-perverse-effects-of-a-parallel-health-_system.pdf" href="https://cic.nyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/report-ebola-drc-the-perverse-effects-of-a-parallel-health-_system.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer">research</a> conducted for the Congo Research Group in 2020, the international response was organised through parallel health structures rather than the existing Congolese health system. This approach contributed to undermined trust, outbreaks of violence and ultimately prolonged the outbreak. Now, in 2026, similar questions are emerging about the measures being taken at the local, national, regional and international levels to contain what has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record two months after it was officially declared. In this episode, Dr Rachel Niehuus and Bienvenu Mukungilwa join the Africa Programme's Dr Joshua Z. Walker and Lisa Musumba to explore how the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC once again exposes tensions between ad hoc international health responses and local healthcare systems – reinforcing the urgent need to strengthen national healthcare systems in the DRC and across Africa for more effective outbreak preparedness and response. Find out more: <a href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/05/ebola-dr-congo-catastrophic-collision-disease-and-conflict-independent-thinking-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Ebola in DR Congo: A 'catastrophic collision of disease and conflict'. Independent Thinking podcast</a>

DRC's Ebola outbreak: Local systems, international responses and lessons for Africa

As a key mediator in the ongoing conflict in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States has brokered peace agreements backed by security guarantees and by the investment potential of the country's vast mineral wealth. However, critics warn this "minerals for peace" approach risks overlooking unresolved issues – from the protection of minority rights to the limited role of the African Union, and fragile state-society relations in the DRC. In this episode, Christian-Géraud Neema and Joshua Walker join the Africa Programme's Romane Dideberg and Lisa Musumba to discuss how the short and long-term implications of the DRC's pivot to the US is affecting its strategic autonomy, mining sovereignty, and what it means for President Tshisekedi's political options.

As a key mediator in the ongoing conflict in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States has brokered peace agreements backed by security guarantees and by the investment potential of the country's vast mineral wealth. However, critics warn this "minerals for peace" approach risks overlooking unresolved issues – from the protection of minority rights to the limited role of the African Union, and fragile state-society relations in the DRC. In this episode, Christian-Géraud Neema and Joshua Walker join the Africa Programme's Romane Dideberg and Lisa Musumba to discuss how the short and long-term implications of the DRC's pivot to the US is affecting its strategic autonomy, mining sovereignty, and what it means for President Tshisekedi's political options.

Can minerals buy peace in the DRC?

The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS early last year – and the subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – has posed a critical challenge for regional cooperation, particularly on security. According to the Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel is the "epicentre of terrorism" and rising insecurity is compounded by stalled progress on core issues including the right of hot pursuit, joint military operations, intelligence sharing and tackling illicit finance. Following a panel event on West African security with Ghana and Nigeria's foreign ministers at Chatham House, Paul Ejime and Paul Melly join the podcast to discuss the ministers' call for local security solutions in the region. The <a id="menur4u60" class= "fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/standard-event/how-can-west-africa-strengthen-its-collective-security-against-violent" href= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/standard-event/how-can-west-africa-strengthen-its-collective-security-against-violent" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label= "Link panel event">panel event</a> formed part of the Chatham House <a id="menur4u62" class= "fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments-and-programmes/africa-programme" href= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments-and-programmes/africa-programme" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label= "Link Africa Programme">Africa Programme</a>'s ongoing work on <a id="menur4u64" class= "fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments-and-programmes/africa-programme/african-peace-and-security" href= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments-and-programmes/africa-programme/african-peace-and-security" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label= "Link African peace and security">African peace and security</a>. The Programme will shortly launch a new project focused on regional conflict systems in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Central Africa.

The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS early last year – and the subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – has posed a critical challenge for regional cooperation, particularly on security. According to the Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel is the "epicentre of terrorism" and rising insecurity is compounded by stalled progress on core issues including the right of hot pursuit, joint military operations, intelligence sharing and tackling illicit finance. Following a panel event on West African security with Ghana and Nigeria's foreign ministers at Chatham House, Paul Ejime and Paul Melly join the podcast to discuss the ministers' call for local security solutions in the region. The panel event formed part of the Chatham House Africa Programme's ongoing work on African peace and security. The Programme will shortly launch a new project focused on regional conflict systems in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Central Africa.

The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS early last year – and the subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – has posed a critical challenge for regional cooperation, particularly on security. According to the Global Terrorism Index, the Sahel is the "epicentre of terrorism" and rising insecurity is compounded by stalled progress on core issues including the right of hot pursuit, joint military operations, intelligence sharing and tackling illicit finance. Following a panel event on West African security with Ghana and Nigeria's foreign ministers at Chatham House, Paul Ejime and Paul Melly join the podcast to discuss the ministers' call for local security solutions in the region. The <a title="https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/standard-event/how-can-west-africa-strengthen-its-collective-security-against-violent" href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/standard-event/how-can-west-africa-strengthen-its-collective-security-against-violent" rel="noopener noreferrer">panel event</a> formed part of the Chatham House <a title="https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments-and-programmes/africa-programme" href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments-and-programmes/africa-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer">Africa Programme</a>'s ongoing work on <a title="https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments-and-programmes/africa-programme/african-peace-and-security" href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-departments-and-programmes/africa-programme/african-peace-and-security" rel="noopener noreferrer">African peace and security</a>. The Programme will shortly launch a new project focused on regional conflict systems in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Central Africa.

Rebuilding regional order and security in West Africa

In this episode of Africa Aware, Ahmed Soliman discusses the context in which the Ethiopian elections are taking place, while Lidet Tadesse emphasizes the importance of peacebuilding and intercommunal dialogue during and after the elections.

In this episode of Africa Aware, Ahmed Soliman discusses the context in which the Ethiopian elections are taking place, while Lidet Tadesse emphasizes the importance of peacebuilding and intercommunal dialogue during and after the elections.

Episode 5: Peacebuilding Amidst Elections in Ethiopia

In this episode of Africa Aware, Dame Rosalind Marsden discusses the state of Sudan's transition, while Dr Adam Elhiraika speaks about the country's economic reform priorities and international support.

In this episode of Africa Aware, Dame Rosalind Marsden discusses the state of Sudan's transition, while Dr Adam Elhiraika speaks about the country's economic reform priorities and international support.

In this episode of Africa Aware, Dame Rosalind Marsden discusses the state of Sudan's transition, while Dr Adam Elhiraika speaks about the country's economic reform priorities and international support.

Episode 4: Sudan's Economic Stabilization

In this episode Dr Alex Vines from Chatham House provides his insights on what the UK Government's Integrated Review will mean for its engagement with Africa. Then Shuvai Nyoni from the African Leadership Centre in Nairobi discusses how East Africa can leverage burgeoning interest for the benefit of its citizens and why approaches to tackle widespread insecurity in the region must be reframed. Credits: Speakers: Shuvai Nyoni, Alex Vines Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

In this episode Dr Alex Vines from Chatham House provides his insights on what the UK Government's Integrated Review will mean for its engagement with Africa. Then Shuvai Nyoni from the African Leadership Centre in Nairobi discusses how East Africa can leverage burgeoning interest for the benefit of its citizens and why approaches to tackle widespread insecurity in the region must be reframed. Credits: Speakers: Shuvai Nyoni, Alex Vines Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 3: The pivot to East Africa

In this episode of Africa Aware, Gita Honwana Welch highlights historical development challenges in the Sahel, and Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos discusses how responses to Jihadist groups in the Sahel must be rethought. Credits: Speakers: Gita Honwana Welch, Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

In this episode of Africa Aware, Gita Honwana Welch highlights historical development challenges in the Sahel, and Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos discusses how responses to Jihadist groups in the Sahel must be rethought. Credits: Speakers: Gita Honwana Welch, Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 2: Responding to Crises in the Sahel

As African states find themselves in the midst of severe economic difficulty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yusuf speaks to <a href= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/carlos-lopes">Professor Carlos Lopes</a> on the topic of debt on the continent, African risk perception and how the current system must be transformed to ensure it delivers for Africa. Read the Chatham House Expert Comment: <a href= "https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/01/africas-road-recovery-2021-fresh-start"> Africa's Road to Recovery in 2021 is a Fresh Start</a> Credits: Speakers: Tighisti Amare, Alex Vines, Carlos Lopes Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

As African states find themselves in the midst of severe economic difficulty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yusuf speaks to Professor Carlos Lopes on the topic of debt on the continent, African risk perception and how the current system must be transformed to ensure it delivers for Africa. Read the Chatham House Expert Comment: Africa's Road to Recovery in 2021 is a Fresh Start Credits: Speakers: Tighisti Amare, Alex Vines, Carlos Lopes Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

As African states find themselves in the midst of severe economic difficulty exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yusuf speaks to <a href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/carlos-lopes" rel="noopener noreferrer">Professor Carlos Lopes</a> on the topic of debt on the continent, African risk perception and how the current system must be transformed to ensure it delivers for Africa. Read the Chatham House Expert Comment: <a href="https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/01/africas-road-recovery-2021-fresh-start" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Africa's Road to Recovery in 2021 is a Fresh Start</a> Credits: Speakers: Tighisti Amare, Alex Vines, Carlos Lopes Host: Yusuf Hassan Editor: Jamie Reed Producers: Yusuf Hassan, Ben Horton Recorded and produced by Chatham House

Episode 1: The Economic Burden of COVID-19

Africa Aware is a podcast from the Chatham House Africa Programme bringing together the best international experts to provide original analysis on issues affecting the individual states of Africa, their international relations, and the continent as a whole.

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