African Union Calls for Intensified Efforts to Ensure Success and Effectiveness of Continental plan for Preparedness and Response to Monkeypox

His Excellency the President of the Republic, the current President of the African Union, Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, and Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in a joint statement issued today, Saturday, urged all member states of the African Union to strengthen surveillance and screening systems, and intensify awareness and vaccination campaigns, in light of the increasing spread of monkeypox in Africa.

They also called on the international community to intensify efforts to ensure the success and effectiveness of the continental plan for preparedness and response to monkeypox.

Here is the statement:

“ We, the undersigned, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union, along with Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in our respective capacities, are closely monitoring the evolution of the monkeypox epidemic, Mpox, on our continent.

We have particularly noted the detailed reports from Africa CDC on the progression of Mpox and the efforts made to combat its spread as of September 13, 2024 (35th epidemiological week). The toll of 26,544 cases, including 5,732 confirmed and 724 deaths, is both alarming and concerning. The wave of propagation appears to spare no African region.

We are deeply troubled by the impact of this epidemic on two particularly vulnerable groups: children and women.

We commend Africa CDC for its proactive approach in managing this health crisis, especially for the timely declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (USPSEC) in perfect coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO). We encourage Africa CDC to maintain its strong coordination with the WHO, a key global player in this domain.

We urge all Member States of the African Union to strengthen their surveillance and screening systems, and to intensify awareness and vaccination campaigns, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations and ensuring that vaccines are accessible to the most fragile communities.

In these exceptional circumstances, African solidarity is both urgent and necessary in the face of the immense needs of the most affected countries. Containing the spread of Mpox is a collective responsibility. To this end, we should mobilize and organize aid for the most affected countries. An estimated 600 million dollars and more than 10 million vaccines are necessary to end this epidemic in Africa. It is vital that the rapid and effective administration of vaccines be carried out without any delay to contain the spread of the virus.

On this occasion, we sincerely thank all international partners who have already made significant contributions and encourage them to redouble their efforts.

We make an urgent appeal to all other partners who have not yet fulfilled their promises to do so as soon as possible.

We solemnly call on the international community to intensify its efforts to ensure the success and effectiveness of the Continental Plan for Preparedness and Response to Mpox. Together, we announce the holding of a high-level meeting of the Africa CDC Heads of State Committee in the coming days. At this meeting, the presidents of the Regional Economic Communities, the Heads of State of the affected countries, and our international partners will be invited to strengthen our response to this epidemic and to mobilize all necessary financial resources to support the continental plan.
We strongly and gravely call on all our partners to show solidarity with Africa and to support the continental response plan methodically, cohesively, orderly, and coherently”

H.E Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union.

Mr . Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.