By Mohamed Siyad - Reporter
Kenya, June 17, 2026 - African Union leaders have mobilised urgent political commitments and operational support to strengthen the continent's collective response to the escalating Ebola outbreak, as the disease continues to threaten lives and strain health systems across affected regions.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, joined heads of state, international partners, United Nations agencies, and regional organisations at an AU High-Level Meeting on the Ebola outbreak, convened and chaired by H.E. Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union.
The summit, held against a backdrop of rising case numbers and cross-border transmission risks, served as a critical platform to rally political will, unlock financial resources, and coordinate operational support. Leaders acknowledged that fragmented national responses would be insufficient against a disease that respects no borders, and that only a unified continental strategy could contain the threat.
In his keynote address, Chairperson Youssouf underscored the urgent need to enhance national and regional response plans, strengthen cross-border coordination, and scale up preparedness, surveillance, and containment measures. He warned that weak health systems in one nation pose a security risk to all, and that early investment in detection and response infrastructure remains the most cost-effective defence against a wider catastrophe.
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"We cannot afford to act in isolation," Youssouf told delegates. "This outbreak demands sustained solidarity and collective action. We must prevent further transmission, protect our frontline workers, and invest in resilient health systems that can withstand the shocks of today and the threats of tomorrow."
The Chairperson expressed his deepest condolences to families and communities that have lost loved ones, recognising the human toll behind the epidemiological data. He paid tribute to frontline health workers and emergency response teams, commending their dedication and swift efforts to contain the spread under extraordinarily challenging conditions.
Youssouf further conveyed his appreciation to AU Member States, development partners, and humanitarian organisations for their solidarity, including direct financial contributions and technical assistance to the most affected countries. He noted that while international backing remains essential, Africa's long-term health security depends on building domestic capacity and reducing reliance on external emergency funding.
The summit concluded with a commitment to establish a rapid-response funding mechanism and deploy AU health monitors to border regions within the coming weeks, ensuring that no Member State is left behind in addressing this shared challenge.