THE African Union (AU) has urged the United States to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The appeal comes in response to an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump formalising the country’s departure from the UN health agency.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, highlighted the critical role the US has played in shaping global health policies and strengthening public health security through its membership in the WHO over the past seven decades.
Reasons for US withdrawal
The US government justified its withdrawal by citing several concerns, including what it described as the WHO’s ‘mismanagement’ of the Covid-19 pandemic, its failure to implement necessary reforms, and a perceived lack of independence from political influence by member states.
President Trump’s decision has sparked widespread concern, given the WHO’s role in coordinating international efforts to combat health crises and promote global public health.
AU’s response
The African Union stressed the importance of the WHO, particularly in the context of global health challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
In his statement, Mahamat praised the US for its early support of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), which works in collaboration with the WHO to tackle pandemics and other public health emergencies on the continent.
He expressed hope that the US would reconsider its decision, noting: ‘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 WHO’s role in global health
Established in 1948, the WHO is a specialised UN agency with 194 member states. It operates in over 150 locations across six regions and is tasked with promoting health, responding to public health emergencies, and addressing global health challenges.
The organisation has been at the forefront of coordinating the international response to the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting vaccine distribution, and offering technical assistance to countries worldwide.
Concerns over US withdrawal
Public health experts and global leaders have voiced concern that the US withdrawal from the WHO could weaken international health initiatives and hinder global efforts to combat pandemics and other crises.
The AU’s call for reconsideration reflects the critical importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing shared health challenges.
As nations worldwide grapple with ongoing health threats, the role of institutions like the WHO remains central to ensuring the well-being of populations and promoting global stability.
