Latest news with #ECCAS
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
New Roadmap to Strengthen Health Security in Central Africa
Africa CDC and strategic health partners operating in Central Africa have drawn up an outline of a joint 2026–2027 roadmap to strengthen health security in the Central African region. Central Africa, like the rest of the continent, is deeply affected by recurrent or prolonged health crises, with the emergence and re-emergence of infectious threats. These threats challenge the resilience of healthcare systems and underline the need for an integrated, multi-sectoral and proactive approach. These public health emergencies are a powerful reminder that no country can effectively and sustainably deal with cross-border health threats on its own. 'This joint planning process is much more than a technical exercise. It is a key moment to strengthen our regional public health architecture, foster the interoperability of our alert systems, promote data sharing and expertise, and facilitate more effective mobilisation of available resources,' said Dr Brice Wilfried Bicaba, Director of Africa CDC's Regional Coordinating Centre for Central Africa (CA RCC). Africa CDC, through its CA RCC, brought together technical and institutional representatives from regional bodies including the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Organisation for Coordination in the Fight Against Endemic Diseases in Central Africa (OCEAC) of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), from 16 to 18 June 2025 in Equatorial Guinea. The inaugural strategic joint planning workshop was aimed at strengthening collaboration and coordination between Africa CDC, Regional Economic Communities and health institutions to improve prevention, preparedness and response to health emergencies in Central Africa. Africa CDC and its partners also came up with a consolidated 2025 plan. 'The 2025 joint action plan will serve as an operational guide for the coming months, focusing on concrete actions to strengthen regional coordination and governance, reinforce integrated health systems and the control of high-burden diseases, enhance surveillance, data collection and early warning, as well as build national capacity in terms of networks and laboratory systems,' added Dr Bicaba. The joint roadmap 2026–2027 lays the foundations for a structured response that is more effective, efficient, sustainable and aligned with continental and regional frameworks such as the New Public Health Order for Africa, the Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023–2027, the Regional Strategic Plans for Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies, cross-border surveillance of diseases with epidemic potential under the 'One Health' approach, and the ECCAS 'One Health' Platform for the period 2025–2029, as well as the 2023–2027 Five-Year Strategic Plan of the OCEAC. 'This roadmap reflects our collective commitment to building a community that is better prepared, more resilient and more responsive to health threats. Coordination with Africa CDC and other regional health organisations is essential if we are to achieve genuine health security in Central Africa,' said Dr Peggy Raymonde Conjugo-Batoma, Head of the Health Department of the Commission of ECCAS. The various stakeholders have also defined a coordination and monitoring framework for the joint implementation of health initiatives in the Central African region over the period 2025–2027. The main aim of this framework is to establish an effective coordination and accountability mechanism for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of joint regional health security activities in Central Africa, while ensuring optimum synergy between the key players. 'I welcome this initiative, which strengthens regional solidarity around our shared priorities,' said Mr Mitoha Ondo'o Ayekaba, Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Health. 'The results of your work reflect not only the richness of your contributions but also the collective commitment and strong desire to face cross-border health threats together. They are also an illustration of strengthened regional cooperation between national institutions, regional economic communities and technical partners in the interests of our populations,' said Mr Ayekaba, who is also a member of the steering committee of the Central African RCC. 'I am personally committed to overseeing the implementation of the joint roadmap and to advocating vigorously with my colleagues to secure the necessary political support,' he said. This inaugural workshop has been hailed by the Minister of Health and Africa CDC's partners as a model of multi-sector collaboration, mobilising the technical expertise, political priorities and resources of the various stakeholders around a common vision. 'It marks an important step in Africa CDC's ambition to build a more robust, integrated and inclusive continental public health system that is better prepared to deal with future health emergencies,' said Dr Bicaba. The representatives present in Malabo also recommended co-developing collaboration protocols between the various institutions, integrating Africa CDC's Regional Coordinating Centre for Central Africa as an observer or technical member at decision-making and technical meetings of the RECs relating to public health, health emergency management and health security, and strengthening the capacities of Member States in health planning and coordination. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
TimesLIVE
11-06-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Rwanda quits Central African bloc in dispute with DRC
Rwanda says it will withdraw from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), underscoring diplomatic tensions in the region over an offensive this year by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kigali had expected to assume the chairmanship of the 11-member bloc at a meeting on Saturday in Equatorial Guinea. Instead, the bloc kept Equatorial Guinea in the role, which Rwanda's foreign ministry denounced as a violation of its rights. Rwanda, in a statement, condemned DRC's "instrumentalisation" of the bloc and saw "no justification for remaining in an organisation whose current functioning runs counter to its founding principles". It wasn't clear if Rwanda's exit from the bloc would take immediate effect. The office of DRC President Felix Tshisekedi said in a statement that ECCAS members had "acknowledged the aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda and ordered the aggressor country to withdraw its troops from Congolese soil".
Russia Today
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
African state quits regional bloc over DR Congo dispute
Rwanda has announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) as tensions rise over its alleged role in the conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). The move followed an ECCAS summit held on Saturday, during which Equatorial Guinea was retained as the bloc's chair. Rwanda had expected to assume the rotating leadership position. Rwanda's Foreign Ministry said the 11-member bloc 'deliberately ignored' Kigali's right to the presidency in order to impose the DR Congo's diktat. The statement also condemned the 'instrumentalization' of ECCAS by the Congolese government. 'Rwanda denounces the violation of its rights as guaranteed by the constitutive texts of ECCAS. Consequently, Rwanda sees no justification for remaining in an organization whose current functioning runs counter to its founding principles and intended purpose,' the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Kigali said it had previously protested its exclusion from an ECCAS meeting in 2023, which was held in DR Congo's capital, Kinshasa. It criticized both the African Union and the ECCAS leadership for failing to uphold internal rules and procedures. 'The silence and inaction that followed confirm the organization's failure to enforce its own rules,' it stated. Tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa have escalated since the M23 rebels intensified their offensive in DR Congo's eastern provinces earlier this year. The militants have seized major cities, including Goma and Bukavu, reportedly killing thousands of people. Congolese authorities have long accused the Rwandan government of supporting the rebels with troops and weapons – a claim backed by a UN panel of experts. Kigali has repeatedly denied the allegations, insisting its forces are only securing its borders. The accusations have also strained Rwanda's relations with some of its Western partners, including its former colonial metropole, Belgium. In March, Kigali severed diplomatic ties with Brussels and ordered Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, accusing the country of harboring 'neo-colonial delusions' and interfering in the conflict in DR Congo's mineral-rich east. On Saturday, the office of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi issued a statement saying that ECCAS leaders had 'acknowledged the aggression against the Democratic Republic of Congo by Rwanda' and called on the 'aggressor country' to withdraw its troops from Congolese soil. 'The summit recommended that Equatorial Guinea (outgoing) retain the leadership of the organization, to the detriment of Rwanda, until the resolution of its dispute with the DRC,' it stated.
See - Sada Elbalad
08-06-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Rwanda Withdraws from ECCAS over Blocked Leadership Transfer
Israa Farhan Rwanda has officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) after the regional bloc refused to grant it the rotating presidency, in breach of its charter. The decision was announced in a statement published by *The New Times* and marks a significant diplomatic shift in Central African regional politics. According to the Rwandan government, the refusal to transfer leadership as scheduled violates the foundational agreements of ECCAS. Kigali declared that it no longer sees value in remaining part of a body that operates contrary to its governing principles. The dispute escalated after ECCAS members voted to extend Equatorial Guinea's presidency for an additional year, despite the standard rotation that would have seen Rwanda assume leadership. The move was reportedly supported by Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with the DRC accusing Rwanda of backing rebel groups in its eastern provinces. In response, Rwanda has also submitted a formal complaint to the African Union, condemning what it described as illegal actions by ECCAS. Established in 1983 and based in Libreville, Gabon, ECCAS comprises Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Rwanda's withdrawal marks a rare departure from a major African regional bloc and underscores deepening tensions in Central Africa. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Qatar Tribune
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Rwanda pulls out of ECCAS
KIGALI: Rwanda announced its departure from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing what it described as 'repeated violations of its rights as a member and the organization's failure to adhere to its founding principles'. Rwandan ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement that the country's government sees no point in continuing membership in an organization that no longer adheres to its principles and no longer performs its assigned role. The ministry indicated that the 26th Ordinary Summit of the organization, held Saturday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, was a decisive turning point in this decision, after Rwanda's right to hold the rotating presidency of the regional block, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VI of the ECCAS Treaty, was ignored. ECCAS is a regional cooperation organization founded in 1983 and comprises 11 Central African countries, including Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Sao Tome and Principe.
