Today, the United States, through USAID, announced up to an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance to bolster response efforts for the clade I mpox outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa, pending Congressional Notification. This new commitment brings the total U.S. government support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other affected countries in the region to more than $55 million in response to this outbreak. 

The additional assistance announced today will enable USAID to continue working closely with affected countries, as well as regional and global health partners, to expand support and reduce the impact of this outbreak as it continues to evolve. USAID support includes assistance with surveillance, diagnostics, risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, case management, and vaccination planning and coordination. 

Since 2023, the DRC has been experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of clade I mpox. This outbreak has extended beyond the DRC, with several other countries in the region reporting cases in 2024, including countries where mpox has historically not been reported. In response to elevated concerns about further international spread and its potential impact on regional and global health security, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) issued its first-ever declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.

The support of the United States, through USAID, includes the  donation of 50,000 doses of Jynneos vaccines to the DRC, the country most severely impacted by the outbreak, and resources to support vaccine readiness and delivery. 

The United States remains committed to a comprehensive, whole-of-government response to this growing outbreak, and we call on other donors to join us in these critical efforts.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Outgoing European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Manuel Müller, has bid farewell to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio as he concludes his tenure in the country.

Ambassador Muller reflected on his departure and expressed deep affection for Sierra Leone, stating, “It was difficult to leave a great country like Sierra Leone,” though he acknowledged the diplomatic necessity of moving on after his tour of duty.

He congratulated President Bio on his presidency of the UN Security Council for August and noted the honour the European Union felt in participating in the debate on Africa’s representation, which the President had initiated.

Ambassador Müller underscored the EU’s commitment to comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, emphasising the need for it to be more “effective, inclusive, transparent, democratic, and accountable.” He highlighted the importance of strengthening the voices of under-represented regions, particularly Africa, in the Security Council.

Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s political landscape, he praised the country’s ability to find peaceful solutions during challenging times, particularly through the implementation of the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations, stating, “Many countries can learn from Sierra Leone on that.” The Ambassador reaffirmed the European Union’s continued support for Sierra Leone, particularly in advancing the recommendations from the Tripartite Committee.

“Sierra Leoneans can be proud of the outcome of the Tripartite and of the ability of their political leaders to find solutions in the interest of national unity,” he said, confirming the EU’s willingness to support Sierra Leone’s governance programs aimed at fostering development and unity.

In response, President Julius Maada Bio expressed gratitude for Manuel Müller’s service and dedication to Sierra Leone. He acknowledged the strong partnership between the European Union and Sierra Leone, appreciating the EU’s contributions to various development initiatives in the country.

While bidding farewell to the Ambassador, President Bio assured him that Sierra Leone would always welcome him back, saying, “Sierra Leone is home, and you are always welcome in Freetown.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) has reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and security in Somalia.

During a recent field visit to Jowhar and Baidoa, the administrative capitals of Hirshabelle and South West States, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of ATMIS, along with Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma ATMIS Force Commander pledged to enhance the capacity of the Somali Security Forces and intensify military offensives against Al-Shabaab.

“The African Union will never abandon Somalia and its people in their quest for peace and stability,” said Ambassador Souef, during a meeting with local leaders in Dinsoor district, Bay region.

He commended ATMIS troops for their immense contributions to peace and security in Somalia and urged continued collaboration with the Somali Security Forces (SSF).

Lt. Gen. Kavuma stated, “We will conduct offensive operations against Al-Shabaab and ensure there are no more attacks on ATMIS positions.” “We need to support the Federal Member States and the Federal Government to build the capacity of the Somali Security Forces to secure the country,” he added.

In Baidoa and Jowhar, the SRCC and ATMIS Force Commander, met with the contingent commanders, Col. Oscar Hatungimana of Burundi and Brig. Gen. Besfat Fente Tegegn of Ethiopia, who briefed them on the prevailing security situation. They also engaged with the local authorities, the Somali Security Forces and civil society members.

Lt. Gen. Kavuma described the meetings as productive and insightful and expressed satisfaction with the preparedness of ATMIS troops in their respective Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

“I checked the combat readiness of the troops, and I must say they have really prepared well and have a very cordial relationship with the local population,” he noted.

The Dinsoor District Commissioner (DC), Osman Moalim Abdi, thanked ATMIS’ leadership for engaging with the SSF and the local community and called for more consultation meetings.

“The meeting was fruitful because we briefed the delegation about the security situation in the district, including our needs, the challenges we face and the humanitarian situation,” said the DC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

The town of Renk, in northern Upper Nile, was a bustling hub for trade between Sudan and South Sudan. But, today, the traffic is mostly people, and it’s all one way.

More than 780,000 people have fled the fighting that erupted in Sudan in April 2023, crossing the southern border into Renk where many have sought sanctuary while others are gradually being relocated to join family in other parts of the country.

Bathurs Ongo Nyikaig is among the refugees living in the transit camp in Renk after losing family members, his home, and livelihood in Sudan.

“I come from Blue Nile in Sudan, but I ran with my family to Renk because of the fighting in Sudan. There is nothing there for us but death and destruction,” he says. “We came here because we need help. We need peace.”

Humanitarians are working tirelessly to meet escalating needs despite funding already being stretched to breaking point. State authorities acknowledge the support from international partners but say more is needed to prevent a slide into a deeper crisis.

“There are two communities that came here after the war broke out in Sudan, one is refugees, and the other is returnees. For returnees, they came here seeking ways to get to their final destinations to reconnect with family in other parts of the country,” explains Renk County Commissioner, Akoch Jol Achiek.

Unfortunately, despite best efforts, many are still waiting to travel due to a lack of resources. He says local authorities are doing their best, but more support is needed.

“For those that need to stay in Renk county, if they come officially to the authorities and ask for land, they will be given land, they will be given help if they want to stay. There is no problem.”

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has deployed peacekeepers to Renk to help ensure the safe delivery of aid, provide protection, and deter violence between diverse communities forced to live together in congested conditions. They are faced with what their Force Commander describes as a “cocktail” of challenges.

“The humanitarian situation, dwindling resources, inability to relocate people as much as we’d like, a contest over scarce resources, deteriorating economic situation – all this combined creates a cocktail in which any small thing, like a difference of opinion between diverse communities, could trigger a conflict,” explains Lieutenant General Mohan Subramanian.

“We acknowledge the tremendous efforts of local forces in maintaining security, and we hope that won’t happen, but we always prepare for the worst-case scenario.”

That preparation must now include a new threat of extraordinary flooding.

“If the rains pick up, then the condition of people in the transit center, refugee camp and other displacement sites will become far worse,” says the Force Commander.

“When the misery keeps increasing and the numbers of people coming from Sudan keeps increasing, there will come a point when there will be serious security concerns, which is what we are trying to prepare in advance for in collaboration with our partners.”

One of those already experiencing the misery of escaping the Sudan conflict is 19-year-old Stephen Deng who fled to Renk in June 2024.

“We were very afraid. There was a lot of trouble. My brother died. My friend died. We knew we had to leave everything behind and come here to Renk so we could at least be safe,” he says, acknowledging the UNMISS peacekeepers as “brothers” who provide that safety.   

Stephen has been scraping together an income by selling pots and pans in the transit camp. But while food, water, and shelter are critical, he sees a greater need – for schools to reopen – so that he can achieve his dream of being a doctor and, not only survive, but thrive.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).