AGP Executive Report

AI Influence Ops: Anthropic says a Russian-linked operator in Bangui used Claude to generate pro-government, pro-Russia and anti-France radio content for CAR outlets, plus forged messages meant to look like ordinary journalism. Regional Health Tech: Africa CDC warns 10 countries—including CAR—are at risk as DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak nears 8,000 cases; it urges stronger lab capacity and surveillance at entry points. Ebola Forecasting: DRC is using anonymised mobile phone movement data to predict where Ebola could spread next, helping responders pre-position resources. Agroecology Policy: A Congo Basin declaration from Yaounde says fragmented national rules are keeping agroecology models stuck in pilots due to weak advisory services, inputs, markets and financing. Energy Diplomacy: Russia’s energy minister plans working visits to CAR for trade and scientific/technical cooperation talks. Diplomatic Ties: Azerbaijan and CAR formally established diplomatic relations at UNGA, signaling new cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational and scientific areas. Human Rights: UN experts warn US “third-country” deportations are triggering a cascade of abuses, naming CAR among destination countries.

Ebola Response Tech: Africa CDC says 10 countries are at risk as the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak nears 8,000 cases, urging stronger surveillance, lab capacity, and faster isolation at points of entry—Mobile Data for Public Health: the DRC is also using anonymised mobile phone movement data to predict where Ebola could spread next, helping teams pre-position resources before cases appear—CAR & Diplomatic Links: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally established diplomatic relations at UNGA, with plans for cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational, and scientific fields—CAR Forests vs War Economy: a new analysis argues CAR’s stalled logging sector tied to Wagner sanctions isn’t a simple “Western win,” but part of a wider political bargain over natural wealth—Climate & Food Security: research highlights how child malnutrition across sub-Saharan Africa is driven by more than food—disease, sanitation, climate pressure, healthcare gaps, and caregiver knowledge all matter—Regional Security Pressure: cross-border transhumance in central Africa is increasingly disrupted by armed groups and criminal networks, pushing livestock theft, ransom, and extortion across borders.

Russia-Africa Summit Watch: African leaders head to Moscow for the third Russia-Africa summit on Oct 28–29, but critics point to a venue and schedule set by Moscow and shrinking African attendance since 2019—raising questions about who’s really partnering. Ebola Tech for Public Health: The DRC is using anonymised mobile phone data to map population movement and flag where Ebola could spread next, aiming to prepare high-risk areas before cases appear. Ebola Risk List: Africa CDC warns 10 countries—including the Central African Republic—are at risk as the Bundibugyo outbreak in the DRC nears 8,000 confirmed cases, urging stronger surveillance, lab capacity, and rapid isolation. Child Nutrition Evidence: A new regional review says child malnutrition isn’t just about food; disease, sanitation, healthcare access, climate pressures, and caregiver knowledge all drive stunting and wasting—so solutions must be multi-sector. CAR Diplomacy: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally establish diplomatic relations, with plans spanning political, economic, educational, and scientific cooperation.

Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC warns 10 countries—including the Central African Republic—are at risk as the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak grows, urging stronger surveillance, lab capacity, and rapid isolation at points of entry. Disease Tech in Action: The DRC is using anonymised mobile phone data to map population movement and spot where Ebola could spread next—an early-detection boost for a fast-moving outbreak with no approved vaccine or treatment. CAR Tech & Diplomacy: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally establish diplomatic relations, with plans to expand cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational, and scientific fields. CAR in the Global Tech/Policy Mix: A report highlights how the UN’s peacekeeping slowdown is leaving conflict zones without new blue-helmet missions—relevant for CAR’s security planning as multilateral support strains. Regional Security & Trade: Analysis argues the UAE’s Red Sea and Horn of Africa port influence is reshaping Sudan’s war dynamics, with knock-on effects for migration and regional stability.

Ebola Preparedness: Africa CDC warns 10 countries—including the Central African Republic—are at risk as the DRC’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak nears 8,000 confirmed cases, urging stronger surveillance, lab capacity, and rapid isolation at points of entry. Public Health Tech: The DRC is using anonymised mobile phone data to map population movement and spot where Ebola could spread next, aiming to pre-position response teams before cases appear. Diplomacy & Science Links: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally establish diplomatic relations, with plans to expand cooperation in education and scientific fields. Security & Resources: A report on CAR’s Wagner-linked timber deal says “wood for war” financing helped sustain conflict—highlighting how sanctions and corporate tracking miss the political bargain behind logging. Climate Risk: Scientists warn a Super El Niño could drive major heat impacts across the global south, with hundreds of thousands of deaths projected without urgent adaptation. Migration Tech & Rights: Investigations describe U.S. deportations that send people to African countries they don’t know, including cases involving the Central African Republic—raising concerns about digital systems and due process.

UN diplomacy pressure on the table: At UNGA, the debate over Gaza and wider Middle East escalation exposed deep divisions, with walkouts and competing accounts from leaders underscoring how hard it is for multilateral action to hold when major powers disagree. UN funding and credibility: Separate reporting highlights the UN’s strained capacity as some states fall behind on dues and leaders use the podium to escalate rhetoric—raising the stakes for countries that rely on UN support, including in Central Africa. CAR’s diplomatic openings: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally established diplomatic relations on the UNGA sidelines, with plans for cooperation spanning political, economic, cultural, educational, and scientific fields. Tech & security debate: A policy-focused piece argues that AI is increasingly being used for cyber and influence operations across Africa, pushing for stronger governance and safeguards. Climate risk to stability: Scientists warn that a Super El Niño could drive massive heat-related deaths, with the knock-on effect of worsening hunger and conflict pressures across the global south. Food safety science: A report reiterates that improperly processed cassava can release cyanide and is linked to neurological disease, stressing safer processing practices.

Diplomatic Ties: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally established diplomatic relations at UNGA, with ministers signing a joint communiqué and flagging cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational and scientific areas. More UNGA Diplomacy: Cyprus also opened diplomatic relations with CAR, signing a joint communiqué and pointing to shared-interest cooperation. Security & Tech: A new Anthropic investigation says AI tools like Claude were misused to support foreign influence operations, including a Russian-linked effort in CAR that used local radio content and tailored pro-Russia/anti-France messaging. Environment & Health: Scientists warn a Super El Niño could drive extreme heat and major mortality across the global south, while another report highlights the dangers of improperly processed cassava, which can cause cyanide poisoning and konzo. Regional Livelihoods: Research on cross-border transhumance says armed groups and criminal networks are increasingly exploiting livestock corridors, worsening insecurity across Cameroon, CAR and neighboring states.

Diplomatic Ties: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally established diplomatic relations at UNGA, signing a joint communiqué and flagging cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational and scientific areas. More New Partners: Cyprus also signed a joint communiqué with CAR, opening another channel for collaboration. Tech & Security: A new investigation says AI was used to support foreign information manipulation in CAR, with a Russian-linked operation reportedly coordinating daily content via Radio Lengo Songo and instructing Claude to weave pro-Russia and anti-France talking points. Climate Risk for the Region: Scientists warn Super El Niño could drive major heat impacts across the global south, with African countries facing the biggest near-term mortality risk—raising pressure on health and adaptation planning. Health & Food Safety: A report highlights how improperly processed cassava can release cyanide and is linked to konzo, underscoring the need for safer processing practices.

Diplomatic Ties: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally established diplomatic relations at UNGA sidelines, with foreign ministers signing a joint communiqué and flagging cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational and scientific fields. More UNGA Diplomacy: Cyprus also signed a joint communiqué with CAR to open diplomatic relations, signaling more international outreach for Bangui. Security & Tech Misuse: A new report says AI was used to support a Russian foreign information operation in CAR, including daily content production via Radio Lengo Songo and coordination with Russian state media, with Claude prompted to insert pro-Russia and anti-France talking points. Ebola Funding: The U.S. pledged an additional $267 million to fight a central Africa Ebola outbreak, underscoring the region’s urgent health-tech and response needs. Climate Risk: Scientists warn a Super El Niño could drive major mortality across the global south, a reminder that climate shocks can quickly become public-safety crises. Health Safety: A cassava safety explainer highlights cyanide poisoning and konzo risks when cassava is improperly processed—relevant for food security and local health guidance.

Diplomatic Ties: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic officially established diplomatic relations at UNGA, signing a joint communiqué and flagging cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational, and scientific areas. Tech & Security in CAR: A new investigation says AI was used to support a Russian-linked influence operation in the Central African Republic, including content production via a local radio outlet and coordination with Russian state media. Public Health & Climate Risk: Scientists warn that a Super El Niño could drive extreme heat and trigger major health impacts across the global south, with hundreds of thousands of deaths projected without urgent adaptation. Food Safety: Research highlights how improperly processed cassava can release cyanide and is linked to konzo, urging safer preparation practices. Cross-Border Livestock Security: A regional analysis says armed groups and criminal networks are increasingly targeting transhumance routes, markets, and trade flows, worsening insecurity across Central Africa. Migration Pressure: Reporting details deportations to African countries where people have no ties, including cases involving the Central African Republic.

Ebola Response: The U.S. pledged an extra $267 million to fight the central Africa Ebola outbreak, a major boost for local health systems and rapid containment. Diplomacy & Education: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic formally established diplomatic relations at UNGA, with plans spanning political, economic, cultural, educational and scientific cooperation, including scholarships for CAR students. More Diplomatic Links: Cyprus also opened diplomatic ties with CAR, signing a joint communiqué and pointing to shared-interest cooperation. Regional Tech & Trade Partnerships: A UAE UNGA message highlighted deeper Africa-UAE ties through CEPAs, aiming to expand infrastructure, energy, logistics, innovation and market access. Banking Expansion: CCA-Bank reorganized governance to separate Cameroon oversight from wider Africa expansion, with technology and shared services listed among growth areas. AI Misuse in CAR: A report says AI tools like Claude were used to support a Russian-aligned influence operation in CAR, including content production via local radio coordination. Climate Risk: Scientists warn Super El Niño could drive extreme heat and mass deaths, underscoring urgent adaptation needs across the global south.

Diplomatic Ties: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic have formally established diplomatic relations after UNGA meetings, with both sides signaling plans to expand cooperation across political, economic, cultural, educational, and scientific areas. UNGA Tech & Trade Partnerships: A UAE foreign ministry statement at UNGA framed Africa-UAE cooperation as a driver for infrastructure, energy, logistics, innovation, and market access, pointing to nine Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with African countries. Regional Tech Finance: CCA-Bank is reorganizing governance as it expands beyond Cameroon, separating Cameroon oversight from group strategy and highlighting growth in deposits, lending, and assets—plus a push toward banking, insurance, financial markets, technology, and shared services. AI Influence in CAR: An Anthropic investigation says AI tools were used to support a Russian state-aligned influence operation in the Central African Republic, including content production via a local radio outlet and coordinated messaging. Climate Risk: Scientists warn a Super El Niño could drive major heat-related harm across the global south, with hundreds of thousands of deaths projected without urgent adaptation action.

Diplomacy for Tech & Science: Azerbaijan and the Central African Republic have formally established diplomatic relations at UNGA 81, with ministers signing a Joint Communiqué and flagging cooperation across political, economic, cultural, educational and scientific fields, including scholarship support for CAR students. Regional Climate Risk: Scientists warn that a Super El Niño could drive about 451,000 deaths, with the most severe heat-related impacts expected across the global south—an urgent call for adaptation investment. AI Influence in CAR: A new investigation says Russian-linked actors used AI (via Claude) to generate and distribute pro-Russia, anti-France messaging in the Central African Republic, including coordination with local media outlets. Public Health & Food Safety: Improperly processed cassava can release cyanide and is linked to cyanide poisoning and konzo, highlighting the need for safer processing practices. Security & Mobility: Research on cross-border transhumance says armed groups and criminal networks are increasingly exploiting livestock routes, pushing herders to arm themselves or abandon movement—raising the stakes for regional protection and traceability.

Climate & Security: Researchers warn that climate change is worsening hunger and displacement across Africa, raising the risk of conflict as governments draft a Common African Position on Climate, Peace and Security—yet implementation remains the big question. Cross-Border Pastoralism: Armed groups and criminal networks are increasingly exploiting livestock corridors across Cameroon, Chad, CAR and eastern DRC, driving theft, ransom kidnappings and extortion; experts call for coordinated regional protection, not isolated national fixes. AI & Disinformation in CAR: An Anthropic investigation says a Russian state-aligned influence operation used Claude via Radio Lengo Songo in Bangui to push pro-Russia, anti-France messaging while trying to hide its synthetic style. Diplomacy: Cyprus and the Central African Republic established diplomatic relations, signaling new cooperation opportunities. Migration Tech & Rights: Investigations describe U.S. deportations sending people to third countries in Africa, including CAR, often with withheld documents and limited freedom—raising serious rights concerns. Public Health: Improperly processed cassava can release cyanide and is linked to cyanide poisoning and konzo, a neurological disease.

Climate & Security: Researchers say climate change is worsening failed harvests, water stress, and extreme weather—fueling land and resource competition that can spill into wider conflict, as African governments push a Common African Position on Climate, Peace and Security. Cross-Border Pastoralism: A new look at Cameroon, CAR, Chad and eastern DRC warns armed groups and criminal networks are taking over transhumance routes, using theft, kidnapping and extortion to profit—urging coordinated regional protection. Healthcare Tech in Bangui: China is funding an $11.5m renovation of the Sino-Central African Friendship Hospital, adding an intensive care unit and telemedicine center to cut costly medical evacuations. Connectivity Leap: Starlink is expanding in Africa via “direct-to-phone” service with Airtel Africa in the DRC, letting compatible phones use SMS and light data without satellite dishes. AI & Influence Risks: An Anthropic investigation describes how AI tools like Claude were used to automate disinformation operations targeting CAR and other countries, including pro-Russia messaging via local media. Diplomacy: Cyprus and CAR established diplomatic relations, opening room for cooperation on shared interests.

AI & Disinformation in CAR: A new Anthropic report says a Russian-linked operation in Bangui used Claude to generate pro-Russia, anti-France messaging for Radio Lengo Songo (98.9 FM), including instructions to hide “synthetic” formatting and keep deniability. Health Infrastructure: China and CAR are funding an $11.5M renovation of the Sino-Central African Friendship Hospital in Bangui, adding an intensive care unit and a telemedicine center plus new diagnostic gear like a scanner. Connectivity Tech: Starlink is moving into direct-to-phone service in Africa; Airtel Africa’s Starlink Mobile in the DRC lets compatible LTE Android phones send SMS and use light data without buying a dish. Public Health: UN officials warn Ebola in eastern DRC may be slowing but hasn’t clearly peaked, while mobile-phone data is being used to track spread. Diplomacy: Cyprus and CAR established diplomatic relations, opening room for future cooperation. Migration & Rights: US deportation cases keep surfacing, including Iranians sent to CAR and migrants deported to third countries like Cameroon with documents withheld.