Ebola & Public Health: DR Congo’s Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has passed 1,000 deaths across DR Congo and Uganda, with DR Congo reporting 2,473 confirmed cases and 999 deaths as officials warn the crisis could worsen without urgent action. Mining Local Ownership: Kinshasa will enforce the long-delayed rule requiring mining firms to offer Congolese citizens a 10% equity stake from July 31, after talks on a decree and possible sanctions for non-compliance. US-DRC Minerals Talks Disrupted: The Ebola outbreak is delaying travel and meetings tied to a US-backed critical minerals partnership, complicating investor and supplier visits even if existing operations are not directly hit. Lithium Exports Start: DR Congo has begun exporting lithium from the Zijin Manono project, with first shipments of spodumene concentrate in transit to China as the country moves beyond copper and cobalt. Critical Minerals Infrastructure: The Lobito Corridor is advancing, with DR Congo approving the concession for its section, strengthening the US-DRC strategic partnership aimed at faster, more reliable mineral exports. Regional Trade Pressure: Fighting in eastern Congo is strangling commercial traffic on Lake Tanganyika, with traders in Rumonge reporting fewer boats from Congolese ports and rising losses. Governance & Payroll Risk: An internal audit flagged nearly 63,000 questionable “ghost” police personnel records, raising concerns about salary leakage and the need for stronger public financial controls. Travel Restrictions: The US has blocked Americans who recently visited DR Congo from boarding commercial flights home unless they spend 21 days in a third country, citing Ebola risk.