Kinshasa, DRC — President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday undertake a high-level African Union (AU) solidarity go to to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), reaffirming Africa’s collective dedication to containing the continuing Ebola outbreak and strengthening the continent’s preparedness for future public well being emergencies.
President Ramaphosa will go to Kinshasa in his capability because the African Union Champion for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR), the place he’s anticipated to carry talks with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi.
The go to comes because the AU intensifies efforts to coordinate a continental response to the Ebola outbreak, with the mission anticipated to bolster regional collaboration, strengthen cross-border preparedness, and mobilise higher political, technical and monetary help for outbreak containment.
As AU PPPR Champion, President Ramaphosa supplies political management and oversight of the continental Ebola response, whereas additionally championing efforts to replenish the African Epidemic Fund.
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African Union Member States have pledged greater than US$100 million in the direction of the fund, whereas world companions have dedicated greater than US$910 million to help the Ebola response. South Africa has dedicated US$13.5 million.
The solidarity mission additionally underscores South Africa’s continued management in advancing Africa’s well being safety agenda.
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa performed a pivotal function in coordinating the continent’s response, advocating for equitable entry to vaccines and medical provides, and calling for stronger world well being governance.
The nation’s management helped form Africa’s collective method to managing one of many world’s greatest public well being crises.
Constructing on that legacy, South Africa is as soon as once more taking a number one function in supporting a coordinated African response to a significant illness outbreak, reflecting its dedication to strengthening well being methods, bettering pandemic preparedness and selling solidarity amongst AU Member States.
Past the speedy public well being response, the go to is predicted to additional strengthen the longstanding bilateral relations between South Africa and the DRC. The 2 international locations take pleasure in sturdy diplomatic, political and financial ties and proceed to cooperate on peace, safety, commerce and improvement initiatives aimed toward selling stability and prosperity within the area.
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The DRC stays an essential strategic companion for South Africa throughout the Southern African Improvement Group (SADC) and the broader African continent. The 2 international locations have labored intently on regional peacebuilding efforts and proceed to collaborate by way of continental establishments to handle shared challenges.
President Ramaphosa might be accompanied by Deputy Minister of Worldwide Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka.
The Presidency mentioned the mission seeks to exhibit the African Union’s collective help for the Authorities and folks of the Democratic Republic of Congo whereas strengthening a coordinated continental response that may help outbreak containment.
“The mission will present high-level political stewardship to strengthen a coordinated continental response to the Ebola outbreak, reinforce regional collaboration and cross-border preparedness, and mobilize political, technical, and monetary commitments from African Union Member States and Companions.
“These efforts are supposed to help outbreak containment, strengthen public well being methods, and improve resilience in opposition to future public well being emergencies,” the Presidency mentioned in a press release
