Panafrican News Agency

AU Member States adopt common strategy to combat coronavirus

Addis Ababa Ethiopia (PANA) - Heads of State and Government of the 54 member countries of the African Union (AU), who on Sunday closed by video conference the 34th AU Summit, decided on the effective implementation of the common continental strategy to combat Covid-19.

The summit agreed on the strengthening of the African Fund for Covid-19 and the creation of an African platform for  acquisition of medical equipment and acceleration of tests, said the new Chair of the AU Assembly, DR Congo President  Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, at the closing session.

The Summit has approved the report on the activity of the Special Envoys for the response against Covid-19 and the work of the newly created African task force for the acquisition of vaccines, Tshisekedi added.

He also announced the adoption of the principle of strengthening and empowering the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention by granting the necessary power and authority to their leaders.

Besides reporting on the progress made in the AU's response to the coronavirus pandemic in Africa, the Heads of State and Government addressed the implementation of institutional reform of the Union with a focus on the interim report by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in his capacity as leader on institutional reform.

The Ordinary Summit was marked by the election on Saturday of the new Bureau of the AU Commission, with Moussa Faki Mahamat re-elected for a four-year term at the head of the Commission and the former Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa as Vice Chairperson of the Commission.

Nigerian diplomat Bankole Adeoye was elected Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU, Mrs. Josefa Sacko of Angola re-elected Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Albert Muchanga of Zambia as Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade and Industry and Mining and Mrs. Amani Abou-Zeid of Egypt as Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.

-0- PANA AT/IN/JSG/BBA/AR 8Feb2021