South African president Ramaphosa in Kinshasa to strengthen Ebola response efforts
- Politics
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Kinshasa today to lead a high-level solidarity mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of his role as the African Union’s Champion for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention, and Response (PPPR). His visit follows the declaration of the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak, which has prompted urgent continental action.
The South African leader, accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka, met with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to reaffirm the African Union’s collective support for the Congolese government and people in combating the ongoing Ebola crisis.
The mission aims to provide political leadership to strengthen Africa’s coordinated response to the Ebola outbreak while enhancing regional collaboration and cross-border preparedness.
In a statement, the South African Presidency emphasized that this initiative seeks to mobilize both political and financial commitments from African Union member states and international partners. The goal extends beyond containing the current epidemic to building sustainable public health systems and improving the continent’s resilience against future health crises.
Financial commitments and continental solidarity
African Union member states have already pledged over $100 million to the African Epidemic Fund, while global commitments to fight Ebola now exceed $910 million. South Africa has contributed $13.5 million to these efforts.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified the Bundibugyo strain Ebola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, two days after its official declaration in the DRC. The virus has since spread to neighboring Uganda, raising concerns about regional transmission.
WHO officials warn that the outbreak’s geographic spread may be underestimated due to population mobility, weak health systems, and limited access to affected areas due to insecurity. Currently, no vaccine or specific treatment exists for this Ebola strain.
DRC’s experience in managing health crises
Despite these challenges, Congolese authorities have expressed confidence in their ability to contain the outbreak. The DRC has successfully managed 16 previous Ebola outbreaks in the past, demonstrating its capacity to respond effectively to public health emergencies.
The visit by President Ramaphosa underscores the African Union’s commitment to strengthening health security across the continent while providing political and technical support to affected nations.
