The latest Ebola outbreak has reopened a bitter conversation about how the world responds to African health emergencies. Matthew Mpoke Bigg reports from the East Africa bureau that many Africans see the continent's largest health agency bungling its early response as a repeat of old patterns, where African lives are treated as afterthoughts.

Red Cross workers were photographed carrying coffins in Rwampara, Democratic Republic of Congo, a stark image that captures the human toll when institutions fail to act swiftly. The photo, credited to Moses Sawasawa for the Associated Press, circulated widely on May 20, 2026, reinforcing claims that global health funding consistently flows unevenly.

Critics argue this reflects a deeper structural problem: African nations rarely receive the same urgency or investment as wealthier regions facing comparable outbreaks. For businesses operating across the continent, this mistrust can complicate partnerships with local health authorities.