The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Moussa Faki Mahamat has called on US President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw the country from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a member State.
In a statement, Faki said that over the past seven decades, the US as a member State has played a crucial role in shaping public health and well-being.
The AUC chair further stated that the world depends on the WHO to carry out its mandate to ensure global public health security as a shared common good
“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.
“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,” Faki stated.
Faki, in addition, noted that America has been a strong supporter towards the establishment of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is in collaboration with WHO.
“In Africa, the USA was an early and strong supporter towards 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,” Faki added.
WHO on US withdrawal
WHO, in a statement dated Tuesday, January 21, 2025, responding to the US after it announced its intention to withdraw from the organization, stated that as a founding member, its withdrawal is regrettable.
The health organisation further indicated that in partnership with US have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats for over seven decades noting how their combined effort contributed to the end of smallpox.
“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go,” WHO stated.
WHO further hoped that US President Donald Trump would reconsider his decision for the benefit of the health and well-being of people globally.
“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe,” WHO added.
AUC Chairperson @AUC_MoussaFaki expresses dismay at announced US withdrawal from WHO
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) January 22, 2025
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