THE African Union (AU) Bureau of Assembly of Heads of States and Government has appointed President Cyril Ramaphosa its champion on Covid-19 for his efforts to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.
The appointment was initially made at the 34th ordinary session of the AU held on February 6, the Presidency said on Thursday.
After his appointment, Ramaphosa established the commission on African Covid-19 response, which he chairs.
His deputy is Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
“The establishment of this commission recognises and advances the crucial role played by President Ramaphosa in driving the continental Covid-19 response during his tenure as chair of the AU in 2020,” said acting presidential spokesperson Tyrone Seale.
The establishment of this Commission recognises and advances the crucial role played by Ramaphosa in driving the continental COVID-19 response during his tenure as Chair of the African Union in 2020.
During this time the following critical milestones were attained:
• The development and endorsement of the Africa Joint Continental Strategy for COVID-19 Outbreak
• The establishment of the Africa Task Force for Coronavirus (AFTCOR)
• The development and establishment of the African Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP)
• The establishment of the COVID-19 African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) to secure financing for and acquire vaccines
• Coordinating communications across the continent around COVID-19 as well as the contributions of the AU Bureau to the continental COVID-19 response
• The appointment of AU Special Envoys for COVID-19.
“Despite the development of a vaccine, we are still a long way from permanently containing the pandemic, necessitating that African countries consolidate their cooperation and strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders in this crucial next phase,” Ramaphosa said.
It is envisaged that the Commission’s output will be tabled as a standing agenda item of the African Union Bureau of Assembly of Heads of State and Government (AU Bureau).
- Inside Politics
