Ramaphosa Calls for Urgent Action as Ebola Outbreaks Hit DRC and Uganda

President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda for their swift response to recent Ebola outbreaks, while calling for urgent regional cooperation and stronger investment in Africa’s public health systems to prevent wider spread of the deadly disease.

Ramaphosa made the remarks in his capacity as the African Union (AU) Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of the outbreaks as a public health emergency of international concern.

The outbreaks involve the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and have already resulted in hundreds of reported cases across affected areas.

Ramaphosa Praises DRC and Uganda’s Rapid Response

In a statement released on Monday, the President praised both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda for acting quickly after laboratory confirmation of the outbreaks.

“I commend the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda for their swift leadership and transparency in declaring the Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks,” Ramaphosa said.

The outbreaks were reported in:

• Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Kampala in Uganda

Ramaphosa stressed that early detection, rapid reporting, and decisive intervention remain essential in preventing outbreaks from escalating into broader regional health crises.

“Early detection, rapid reporting and decisive action remain critical to containing outbreaks before they escalate into a wider regional crisis,” he said.

Solidarity With Frontline Health Workers and Affected Communities

The President expressed solidarity with communities affected by the outbreaks as well as frontline healthcare workers responding to the crisis.

He acknowledged the difficult conditions under which health workers continue to operate, particularly in regions already affected by insecurity, displacement, and fragile healthcare systems.

Ramaphosa also commended neighbouring countries that have moved quickly to strengthen preparedness measures, improve emergency coordination, and enhance cross-border disease surveillance.

Africa CDC and WHO Praised for Coordinated Response

The President further praised the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), under the leadership of Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya, for rapidly mobilising support and coordinating regional response efforts alongside the WHO.

He said the current response builds on the successful continental incident management systems previously deployed during the mpox outbreak.

Ramaphosa welcomed ongoing efforts by national governments, Africa CDC, WHO, and international partners to strengthen critical outbreak response measures, including:

• Disease surveillance systems

• Laboratory testing and diagnostics

• Contact tracing operations

• Infection prevention and control

• Risk communication and public awareness

• Case management

• Access to medical countermeasures

Concerns Over Cross-Border Spread

The President warned that Ebola poses a serious regional threat because the virus does not respect national borders.

He noted that high levels of population movement, humanitarian displacement, insecurity, and informal border crossings across the region significantly increase the risk of further transmission.

“Ebola does not respect borders,” Ramaphosa said.

“In a region marked by high population mobility, insecurity and humanitarian movement, the risk of regional spread is significant and demands urgent, coordinated action.”

He urged both affected and at-risk countries to intensify cooperation through:

• Enhanced cross-border collaboration

• Stronger surveillance at formal and informal border crossings

• Faster information sharing between governments

• Improved coordination in conflict-affected and displaced communities

Appeal to Protect Women, Children and Adolescents

Ramaphosa also made a special appeal for governments and healthcare systems to ensure that women, children, and adolescents are not neglected during the outbreak response.

Speaking in his role as Chair of the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, the President stressed the importance of maintaining routine healthcare services while addressing the Ebola crisis.

“As we handle this crisis, women, children and adolescents must not be left behind and routine services must not backslide,” he said.

Health experts have frequently warned that outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola can disrupt maternal healthcare, child immunisation programmes, and routine medical services, particularly in already vulnerable healthcare systems.

Call for Long-Term Investment in Public Health Systems

The President said the outbreaks highlight the urgent need for African countries to continue strengthening public health systems and regional health security mechanisms.

According to Ramaphosa, pandemic preparedness requires sustained investment in:

• National public health institutes

• Emergency operations centres

• Laboratory and genomic surveillance networks

• Trained healthcare workers

• Rapid response capabilities

He emphasised that stronger health infrastructure and preparedness systems are critical to reducing Africa’s vulnerability to future pandemics and disease outbreaks.

Ramaphosa Urges International Support

The President called on African Union member states and international partners to increase support for pandemic prevention and emergency response efforts.

He urged governments, donors, and global health organisations to provide:

• Timely financial support

• Technical assistance

• Medical countermeasures

• Direct support to affected communities

“Solidarity must translate into concrete action,” Ramaphosa said.

He stressed that continental cooperation and international partnerships remain essential to preventing Ebola outbreaks from escalating into broader humanitarian and regional crises.

Africa’s Experience and Institutions Key to Containment

Ramaphosa expressed confidence that Africa possesses the experience, institutions, and expertise necessary to contain the outbreaks if countries act collectively and decisively.

In his role as AU Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, he pledged to continue working closely with:

• The African Union Commission

• Heads of State and Government

• Africa CDC

• International health partners

to ensure Africa’s response remains coordinated, properly financed, and rooted in the principles of solidarity, health security, and sovereignty.

“The peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and the wider region must not face this threat alone,” Ramaphosa said.

“Africa has the experience, institutions and resolve to contain these outbreaks. What is required now is urgency, unity and collective action.”

Ebola Remains One of the World’s Deadliest Diseases

Ebola Virus Disease is one of the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases, causing severe haemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates if not quickly contained.

Outbreaks in Central and East Africa have historically placed enormous strain on healthcare systems and regional economies.

Health authorities continue to emphasise that rapid detection, community trust, public awareness, and coordinated international support are essential in preventing wider transmission.

The current outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda are expected to remain under close monitoring by African and international health agencies in the coming weeks.