By Abiola Olawale
Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), has voiced his disappointment over the recent announcement of the United States’ decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mahamat, in a press statement, maintained that the significance of the WHO in global health governance cannot be overlooked. He , expressed concern about the potential implications this withdrawal could have on international cooperation in addressing health challenges, particularly in the context of the ongoing global health crisis.
The AUC Chairperson, reacting after the President of the US, Donald Trump, announced the exit of the country from WHO, said the withdrawal is detrimental to global health initiatives, particularly those affecting African countries.
The statement reads in part: “The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, was dismayed to learn of the US government’s announcement to withdraw from the World Health Organization.
“The USA as a member of WHO, was crucial in shaping global WHO instruments and norms on public health security and wellbeing over the past seven decades.
“In Africa, the USA was an early and strong supporter of the establishment of Africa CDC, the African Union’s technical agency for public health emergencies that works with WHO and the global WHO membership to detect, prepare for, respond to, and recover from pandemics.
“Today, now more than ever, the world depends on WHO to carry out its mandate to ensure global public health security as a shared common good. The Chairperson, therefore, hopes the US government will reconsider its decision to withdraw from this key global Organization of which it is a founding member.”
