African heads of state and government, during an Extraordinary Virtual Session of the Committee of Heads of State and Government (CHSG) of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), lauded the agency for its institutional reforms and strides toward advancing Africa’s health sovereignty.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, also saw leaders call for stronger, sustainable financing mechanisms to bolster the continent’s public health efforts.
In a communiqué issued after the session, the leaders reaffirmed Africa CDC’s pivotal role as the continent’s public health agency, tasked with guiding member states in tackling recurring and emerging health threats. They highlighted the agency’s mandate to enhance local manufacturing, promote pooled procurement, and advance regulatory harmonization through the African Medicines Agency.
The CHSG celebrated Africa CDC’s successful completion of the United Kingdom’s Due Diligence Assessment, enabling direct funding to the agency. The leaders praised the UK’s commitment and encouraged other global partners to adopt similar transparent and accountable funding models. They also acknowledged Africa CDC’s progress in implementing the African Union’s resolution on health sovereignty and sustainable financing.
To strengthen resource mobilization, the CHSG directed Africa CDC to engage former African heads of state to champion fundraising efforts. The leaders also commended Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, the AU’s cholera champion, for spearheading a high-level emergency meeting in June and launching the continental cholera preparedness and response plan in Lusaka alongside Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO). Regional economic communities and partners were urged to align their efforts with this plan to ensure cohesive action.
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama was recognized for his leadership in championing Africa’s health sovereignty agenda. The CHSG directed Africa CDC to host the Africa Health Sovereignty Initiative under his guidance.
While acknowledging the United States’ significant contributions to global health in Africa, the leaders expressed concern over the inclusion of the African Union and its organs, including Africa CDC, on the U.S. prohibition list. They urged Washington to reverse this decision and enhance collaboration under the America First Global Health Strategy.
The CHSG called on global partners to support Africa CDC’s efforts to replenish critical health funds, including Gavi, the Global Fund, and the Pandemic Fund. They also endorsed the agency’s leadership in implementing the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amended International Health Regulations (2005).
The leaders emphasized Africa’s vulnerability to outbreaks such as cholera, mpox, Marburg, Ebola, Lassa fever, and dengue, underscoring the urgent need for increased domestic financing, accelerated local production of medical countermeasures, and greater global health solidarity.
