The President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, approved the decision as part of efforts to strengthen African integration and make movement across the continent easier.
Following this approval, on May 18, 2026, Togo’s Minister of Security, Calixte Batossie Madjoulba, officially announced that the visa-free policy applies to all African citizens holding valid passports.
According to the minister, the move is intended to promote free movement of people and goods, strengthen cooperation among African countries, and encourage economic and cultural exchanges across the continent.
Togo also said it aims to position itself as a major African hub for services, trade, culture, and other continental activities. Authorities believe opening the country’s borders more widely will help achieve that goal.
With this decision, Togo joins countries such as Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin, which have adopted similar visa-free policies for African travelers in recent years.
However, Togo clarified that travelers must still respect immigration, security, and public health regulations. Authorities also warned that people who enter or stay in the country illegally, or violate security and administrative rules, will still face legal action.
Togo has become the sixth African country to scrap visa requirements for African passport holders.
A new study published by Science News suggests that early feathered dinosaurs used small wing-like structures to scare insects into moving, making them easier to catch and eat.
Researchers say this behavior may have existed millions of years before birds learned how to fly.
The idea came from zoologist Piotr Jablonski after watching birds in the American West spread their wings or tail feathers to flush insects out of hiding. He wondered if small feathered dinosaurs, which later evolved into birds, may have done the same thing.
To test the theory, researchers built a robotic dinosaur called “Robopteryx,” modeled after a turkey-sized dinosaur known as Caudipteryx. The robot was fitted with detachable protowings and used to interact with wild grasshoppers in South Korea.
During the experiments, the robot opened its wings or moved its tail toward insects. Scientists discovered that grasshoppers were more likely to jump away when the robot had wing-like feathers attached. This made it easier for a predator to spot and catch them.
Researchers later used computer animations of the dinosaur and studied the brain activity of locusts. The insects reacted more strongly when the animated dinosaur displayed feathered wings instead of bare arms.
Scientists say the findings support the idea that early wings may have first been used for display and hunting rather than flight.
The research also highlights how nature changes slowly over time. Features that later became important for flying may originally have served completely different purposes.
Experts believe these feathered dinosaurs may also have used their wings to attract mates or communicate with each other, much like many birds still do today.
The study gives new insight into the long evolutionary journey that eventually led to the birds seen in the skies today.
A new study suggests that early feathered dinosaurs used small wing-like structures to scare insects into moving, making them easier to catch and eat.
The pageant’s organising body, INGO S.A., announced the immediate revocation of her title on May 18, 2026. The decision comes after Celeste allegedly violated her contract by travelling abroad without prior notification and subsequently ignoring repeated attempts by management to establish contact.
According to regional media reports, Celeste recently departed for Europe, where she is alleged to have submitted an asylum application immediately upon arrival.
Once these reports surfaced, INGO S.A. launched an internal inquiry and reached out to Celeste for clarification regarding her travel status and whereabouts. The organisation decided to revoke her crown after she failed to respond to multiple inquiries, leaving her contract in direct violation.
In an official statement, the organisers detailed the terms of the revocation:
“Mugisha Monica Celeste is no longer permitted to use the crown, the title, or any official Miss Burundi branding across any platform, including social media. Any continued use of the crown will be treated as misrepresentation and may result in legal action.”
Celeste won the coveted “Miss Popularity” (Miss Populaire) title during the Miss Burundi grand finale on July 25, 2025, a notable year that marked the return of the national pageant after a two-year hiatus.
The decision has sparked debate on social media. Some users argue that titleholders are bound by the rules and responsibilities of the competition, while others contend that winners should retain personal freedom and that international travel should not automatically lead to the loss of a crown.
The pageant’s organising body, INGO S.A., announced the immediate revocation of her title on May 18, 2026. The decision comes after Celeste allegedly violated her contract by travelling abroad without prior notification and subsequently ignoring repeated attempts by management to establish contact.
The discoveries come from a major study published in Nature Communications. Researchers studied rare ancient graves found in Germany, Czechia, and Poland to better understand life during the Late Bronze Age, between 1300 and 800 BCE.
At that time, many communities in Europe practiced cremation, meaning bodies were burned after death.
Because cremation destroys much of the human remains scientists usually study, this period has long been difficult to fully understand.
To solve this problem, researchers examined rare graves where bodies had not been cremated. They also studied cremated remains from other sites in Central Germany. Using ancient DNA, chemical analysis, and skeletal studies, scientists learned more about how these communities lived, ate, traveled, and buried their dead.
The study found that most people remained close to where they were born instead of moving far away.
Researchers say new ideas and traditions likely spread through trade and contact between communities rather than large migrations.
Scientists also discovered changes in diet. Many communities began eating broomcorn millet, a crop that originally came from northeast China. Later, people returned to more traditional foods like wheat and barley.
The skeletons showed signs of hard physical work, stress during childhood, and injuries, but researchers found little evidence of large disease outbreaks.
The findings also revealed that burial practices were very diverse. Some people were cremated, while others received traditional burials or more complex funeral rituals.
Researchers say the study shows that Bronze Age Europe was a connected and changing world where people mixed old traditions with new ideas.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania has arrived in Rwanda to attend the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2026), where regional and global leaders are meeting in Kigali to discuss the future of nuclear science and technology on the continent.
The summit, held under the theme Powering Africa’s Future: Turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality, brings together policymakers, scientists, and energy stakeholders at a time when African countries are increasingly exploring nuclear energy as part of long-term strategies to address rising electricity demand and support industrial development.
For many nations, nuclear discussions are still emerging from being treated as distant or politically sensitive topics into more practical energy planning frameworks.
Rwanda is among the countries actively advancing nuclear energy plans as part of its long-term development strategy. The government aims to generate up to 1.5 gigawatts of electricity from nuclear power by 2050, as it works to expand national electricity generation capacity and prepare for future demand.
Officials estimate that electricity demand in Rwanda could exceed 5,000 megawatts in the coming decades, compared to the current installed capacity of about 406 megawatts. This growing gap has pushed the country to consider more scalable and reliable energy options.
A central part of Rwanda’s approach is the adoption of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, which authorities describe as a more flexible and practical alternative to traditional large nuclear plants. SMRs are seen as better suited for phased deployment and for countries building nuclear capability gradually.
President Paul Kagame has previously described nuclear energy as a key pillar of Rwanda’s industrialisation agenda. Speaking at a nuclear energy summit in Paris earlier this year, he said nuclear power would help diversify the country’s energy mix while ensuring a stable electricity supply for long-term transformation.
NEISA 2026, which runs from 18-21 May, 2026, is expected to bring together several heads of state and senior officials, including Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo and Rt. Hon. Ali Mahamane Zeine of Niger, alongside leading figures in global nuclear governance and energy policy.
Among the international participants are Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. Lassina Zerbo, William D. Magwood IV of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, and Sylvie Bermann of the World Nuclear Exhibition, all contributing to high-level discussions on nuclear development.
The summit positions Rwanda as an emerging hub for continental energy dialogue, as African countries explore nuclear power as part of broader efforts to secure sustainable, reliable, and future-oriented energy systems.
President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania arrived in Rwanda on Tuesday morning.The summit, held under the theme Powering Africa’s Future: Turning Nuclear Energy Ambition into Investable Reality, brings together policymakers, scientists, and energy stakeholders at a time when African countries are increasingly exploring nuclear energy as part of long-term strategies to address rising electricity demand and support industrial development.
According to the head of Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB), Prof. Jean Jacques Kayembe, the Ebola patient arrived in Goma from the city of Bunia in Ituri Province after her husband died from the virus.
AFC/M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said the patient is currently receiving specialized treatment in Goma and that strict measures have been put in place to prevent the spread of the disease.
These include tracing and closely monitoring everyone who had contact with the infected person.
Kanyuka added that AFC/M23 has set up a response team made up of medical experts and partner organizations to conduct investigations, carry out testing, and implement necessary prevention measures.
On the night of May 18, Kanyuka announced that 189 contacts had already been identified. He also said that 22 samples collected that day were sent to the INRB laboratory in Kinshasa for testing.
“Among the results received so far, five samples tested negative while other results are still pending,” he said.
AFC/M23 also reported that a suspected Ebola case was identified in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, but tests conducted by a laboratory in Goma confirmed that the person was not infected.
“So far, in all areas under our control, only one Ebola patient has been confirmed and is being treated in Goma. No other cases have been detected,” the group stated.
The coalition urged residents in the areas it controls not to panic, while encouraging them to remain vigilant and follow preventive measures against the virus.
In response to the outbreak reported in DRC, the Rwandan government closed the border crossings in Rubavu and Rusizi to prevent Ebola from entering the country.
Rwanda has also strengthened border screening and is working closely with local, regional, and international partners to protect public health.
Goma is a densely populated city requiring strict measures to contain the outbreak.
In a statement, military spokesperson Samaila Uba said the operation was carried out in the Metele area of Borno as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Uba said the strikes came after the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom the military described as the global second-in-command of IS.
According to the statement, the operation was conducted under a recently established counter-terrorism and intelligence-sharing partnership between Nigeria and the United States aimed at dismantling terrorist networks operating in the region.
The military said the strikes were launched after surveillance detected the gathering and movement of suspected militants, adding that ongoing operations were intended to weaken terrorist networks and deny armed groups safe havens within Nigeria.
The U.S. Africa Command confirmed on Monday that U.S. forces, in coordination with the Nigerian government, conducted additional strikes against IS militants in northeastern Nigeria.
In a statement, the U.S. Africa Command said intelligence had confirmed the targets were IS militants, adding that no U.S. or Nigerian personnel were hurt during the operation, while further assessments were underway.
Nigeria’s military spokesperson, Samaila Uba, said the operation was carried out in the Metele area of Borno as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
The move comes as the country seeks to expand its electricity generation capacity. The Government of Rwanda estimates that national demand could exceed 5,000 megawatts in the coming decades, compared to the roughly 406 megawatts currently available.
To help bridge that gap, Rwanda has opted to pursue Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, arguing that it offers a more practical and scalable solution for the country than conventional large-scale nuclear plants.
President Paul Kagame, while speaking at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, France, in March this year, described nuclear energy as a key pillar for powering the country’s industrial growth while meeting its climate responsibilities.
“We have decided to make nuclear central to our strategy,” Kagame said. “It will diversify our energy mix while providing the stability required for industrial growth and long-term transformation.”
This strategic roadmap takes center stage as Rwanda hosts the second edition of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit on Africa (NEISA 2026) at the Kigali Convention Centre. The high-level gathering brings together continental heads of state, including Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, alongside global industry leaders like Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Unlike hydroelectric dams or fossil-fuel-powered plants, nuclear reactors require relatively small amounts of fuel to produce substantial amounts of electricity. Uranium, the fuel used in nuclear power generation, releases heat through a process known as nuclear fission, in which atomic nuclei split apart. The resulting heat is used to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity.
According to energy experts, a single gram of uranium can generate enough energy to produce one megawatt of electricity per day, roughly equivalent to the output generated by three tons of coal.
Why Rwanda chose small modular reactors
Rwanda began studying the feasibility of nuclear power in 2017. Early assessments concluded that constructing a large conventional nuclear plant would be difficult due to the country’s limited land area and infrastructure constraints.
Officials noted that a traditional 1,000-megawatt reactor would exceed the absorption capacity of Rwanda’s current electricity grid. In addition, large nuclear facilities typically require extensive exclusion zones of up to 40 kilometers surrounding the site for safety purposes, a condition difficult to meet in Rwanda’s densely populated landscape.
As a result, policymakers turned to Small Modular Reactors, a newer generation of nuclear technology designed to operate on a smaller footprint while maintaining significant electricity output.
SMRs generally require less land, in some cases around 20 hectares, and are designed with passive safety systems intended to automatically shut down reactors in the event of technical failure.
International partnerships taking shape
Rwanda has already entered into several international partnerships aimed at supporting its nuclear energy ambitions.
In 2018, the country launched cooperation with Russia focused on establishing a nuclear research centre that could eventually support domestic nuclear energy production.
In August 2024, Rwanda signed a cooperation agreement with the U.S.-based company Nano Nuclear Energy Inc to collaborate on advanced nuclear technologies intended for electricity generation.
Earlier, the government also signed an agreement with Dual Fluid Energy Inc to test nuclear reactor technologies that could potentially be deployed in Rwanda. The broader objective is for nuclear energy to contribute approximately 1.5 gigawatts of Rwanda’s projected 5-gigawatt electricity demand by 2050.
Site selection and safety assessments underway
Authorities have already identified preliminary locations for future reactor installations based on visible geographic conditions. However, detailed scientific assessments are still underway to determine whether the sites meet international safety requirements.
Among the key considerations are seismic stability, water availability, and population density. Nuclear facilities require reliable water sources for cooling and steam generation and are generally located away from densely populated areas to minimise potential risks.
Multi-billion-dollar investment
The nuclear program is expected to require substantial financial investment.
Although final construction costs have not yet been determined, Rwanda estimates that each megawatt of nuclear generating capacity could cost approximately $4 million to develop.
At that rate, achieving the country’s target of 1,500 megawatts of nuclear-generated electricity could require investments approaching $6 billion, though officials acknowledge that the estimate remains preliminary.
Rwanda is also investing in workforce development to support the emerging sector.
In 2024, reports indicated that more than 200 Rwandan students were selected for overseas training in nuclear science and engineering disciplines. The initiative is intended to build a domestic pool of specialists capable of operating and maintaining future nuclear facilities.
Initial plans focused on deploying a single SMR unit capable of generating approximately 200 megawatts of electricity. Current projections, however, envision four such modules, each producing around 200 megawatts.
The expansion would significantly increase demand for specialised personnel, with estimates suggesting that more than 400 additional experts will eventually be required as the sector grows.
Officials say additional reactor modules could be introduced progressively as Rwanda’s energy needs continue to expand.
Rwanda is advancing plans to integrate nuclear energy into its long-term development strategy, with ambitions to generate up to 1.5 gigawatts of electricity from nuclear power by 2050.
About 435 suspected cases as well as 116 suspected deaths have been reported, DRC Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said late Monday as health authorities race to contain the outbreak amid growing fears of wider regional transmission.
Why this outbreak is different?
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rarer Ebola strain than the Zaire strain that has driven most previous outbreaks in the DRC.
Jean-Jacques Muyembe, director of the DRC’s National Institute of Biomedical Research, said the country has recorded 17 Ebola outbreaks since 1976, most caused by the Zaire strain. The Bundibugyo strain, however, has appeared only once before in the country, after first being identified in Uganda in 2007 and later causing an outbreak in eastern DRC in 2012.
He said the Zaire strain is generally more lethal, with fatality rates that can exceed 80 percent, while Bundibugyo is estimated to be less deadly. However, he warned that the current outbreak remains dangerous because it was detected late, is spreading in a conflict-affected region, and involves a strain for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is available.
The WHO has also noted that, unlike Ebola Zaire, there are currently no approved therapeutics or vaccines specifically targeting the Bundibugyo virus, increasing concerns about potential regional spread. Officials of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said vaccine candidates are under consideration for research, but remain at an early stage.
Why detected late?
Health officials and experts have identified two main reasons for the delayed detection: the outbreak may have been spreading for weeks before confirmation, and early laboratory tests were looking for the wrong Ebola strain.
According to authorities in Kinshasa, the presumed index case was a nurse in Ituri’s Rwampara health zone who died after developing symptoms. However, Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director General Jean Kaseya said the true index case had not yet been identified.
“This outbreak started in April. So far, we don’t know the index case. It means we don’t know how far the magnitude of this outbreak is,” Kaseya said Saturday.
Muyembe said the outbreak was discovered “very late, even too late,” largely because early samples were tested with tools designed to detect Ebola Zaire, not Bundibugyo.
He said samples initially tested negative because local laboratories were using tools specific to Ebola Zaire. Broader testing conducted later in Kinshasa detected the Bundibugyo virus in several samples.
The WHO said it received an alert on May 5 about suspected cases and later deployed a mission to Ituri. This helped confirm the outbreak after weeks of unexplained deaths in the region.
What is being done?
Muyembe said the risk of further spread is high in eastern DRC due to population movement and the challenges of responding in a conflict zone. He warned that the virus could spread beyond the current health zones to other areas or provinces.
Insecurity complicates response efforts, including the safety of health workers, sample transport, supply delivery, patient transfers and communication with communities, he said, recalling that health workers were killed and facilities attacked during the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak.
With no specific vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, health officials said response efforts rely on basic measures such as isolating patients, contact tracing and community engagement. Muyembe noted that a 2012 outbreak of the same strain in northeastern DRC’s Isiro was contained through such public health interventions.
“If you break the chain of transmission, you can control the outbreak,” he said, adding that standard care techniques for hospitalized patients could help stop its spread if properly applied.
Health Minister Roger Kamba said on Sunday that three new treatment sites are being built in the country to increase the capacity of health facilities in the face of the scale of the epidemic.
Neighboring countries, including Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania, have stepped up surveillance, border screening and emergency preparedness measures.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Monday declared the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda as a public health emergency of continental security.
The official declaration came as about 395 suspected cases and 106 associated deaths have been reported in the DRC, mainly in the country’s Mongwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia health zones, as well as in Kampala, Uganda, where two cases and one death have been reported, according to the latest data from the Africa CDC.
The agency also warned that the outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain, for which no strain-specific vaccine is currently available, and which carries a high risk of regional spread.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya said the declaration would help strengthen regional coordination, mobilize emergency resources, and accelerate preparedness efforts in neighboring countries at risk of transmission.
Africa CDC warned that intense cross-border movement, insecurity in affected areas, and weak infection control measures could increase the risk of regional spread.
“The confirmation of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus in interconnected countries reminds us once again that Africa’s health security is indivisible,” Kaseya said, adding that the agency has already deployed emergency response teams to support containment efforts.
Africa CDC warned that intense cross-border movement, insecurity in affected areas, and weak infection control measures could increase the risk of regional spread.
