AU reacts to US withdrawal from WHO

The African Union Commission (AUC) has expressed disappointment over the United States' decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), announced by President Donald Trump.

In a statement, AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki noted the critical role the U.S. has played over the past seven decades in shaping WHO’s global health policies and norms.

"In Africa, the US was an early and strong supporter of the establishment of the Africa CDC, the African Union's technical agency for public health emergencies that works closely with WHO," Faki said.

The AUC stressed that the world relies on WHO to fulfill its mandate of ensuring global public health security, describing it as a shared common good.

"The Chairperson, therefore, hopes the US government will reconsider its decision to withdraw from this key global organisation, of which it is a founding member.”

On Monday,  Trump announced the U.S. would exit the WHO, citing alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises.

He accused the agency of failing to act independently from "inappropriate political influence" by member states and criticised the financial burden placed on the US, claiming its contributions were disproportionately higher than those of other nations, such as China.