On a significant day for public health in Africa, leaders convened in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to intensify efforts against the ongoing Ebola outbreak. This crucial gathering, held at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, saw President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the DRC welcome President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who attended in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. The meeting underlined a powerful message: the DRC is at the forefront of this battle, and it is not fighting alone. ## Uniting Against a Persistent Threat Ebola virus disease (EVD) remains one of the most formidable health challenges globally, known for its severe symptoms and high fatality rate if not treated promptly. Outbreaks can quickly overwhelm health systems, particularly in regions already grappling with insecurity or limited resources. The DRC has faced numerous Ebola outbreaks over the years, demonstrating both the resilience of its people and the persistent need for robust international and regional support. This particular meeting aimed to accelerate the national response and rally collective African support, recognizing the interconnectedness of health security across the continent. The discussions involved key figures beyond the two heads of state, including Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and senior representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. This diverse representation highlighted the multi-faceted approach required to tackle such a complex public health crisis, blending national leadership with continental and global collaboration. ## DRC's Leadership in Crisis President Tshisekedi articulated the DRC government's deep commitment to safeguarding its population and preventing the disease's spread. He emphasized that the situation is under daily scrutiny, with necessary measures being implemented. A critical point raised was the intricate link between health security and peace, particularly in areas affected by armed conflict. Insecurity, as he noted, significantly hampers prevention efforts, epidemiological surveillance, and the ability of public health workers to respond rapidly to outbreaks. This insight underscores the broader humanitarian context that often complicates disease control in vulnerable regions. Furthermore, President Tshisekedi highlighted the worrying reality of simultaneous Ebola outbreaks in both the DRC and neighboring Uganda. This concurrent challenge underscores the urgent need for a unified and coordinated regional strategy, built on the principle of shared responsibility. He expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from South Africa and other international partners, including Africa CDC, WHO, UNICEF, the United States, and China, all of whom contribute significantly to the national response efforts. ## African Solidarity in Action President Ramaphosa's presence in Kinshasa was a powerful symbol of African solidarity and collective action. As the African Union Champion for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, his message was clear: an outbreak of this magnitude demands speed, coordination, and adequate financing. He stressed the importance of avoiding widespread travel restrictions, which can isolate affected countries and cripple their economies, advocating instead for responsible engagement with the DRC while strengthening targeted public health measures. Ramaphosa evoked the shared history of resilience among African peoples, expressing confidence that this crisis, like others before it, would be overcome through unity. He proudly referenced a prior virtual summit convened by President Ndayishimiye of Burundi on June 16, where African leaders and partners mobilized approximately US$1.5 billion in funding, technical assistance, medical countermeasures, and humanitarian aid. Significantly, African countries themselves pledged over US$100 million of this amount, demonstrating a growing commitment to continental health sovereignty and self-reliance. ## Bridging the Gap: Funds Pledged vs. Funds Disbursed The meeting also delved into the operational aspects of the response. The DRC's Minister of Health provided an update on the epidemiological situation and outlined the immediate priorities for the national response, while the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs detailed the urgent needs within affected communities. Various partners shared updates on their deployed support, ongoing commitments, and identified remaining gaps that require attention. Financial commitments were a major discussion point. The Government of the DRC has allocated US$50 million to the response, while South Africa has pledged US$13.5 million. The World Bank announced an additional US$10 million, building on its existing commitment of US$63 million. The European Union, the United Kingdom, and other partners also reaffirmed their crucial support. While the joint Africa CDC–WHO continental preparedness and response plan estimated the overall need at US$518 million, the total commitments announced comfortably exceeded this figure. However, a critical issue was brought to light: despite the generous pledges, only 21% of the committed funds had actually been released and made available for on-the-ground operations. This significant disparity between commitment and disbursement poses a serious challenge to a rapid and effective response. The immediate priority is to ensure these pledges translate swiftly into practical operational support for field teams, affected communities, clinical trials, surveillance activities, laboratories, and regional preparedness efforts, particularly at points of entry. ## Africa CDC's Role in Continental Coordination Africa CDC plays a pivotal role in orchestrating a harmonized response across the continent. Dr. Jean Kaseya reiterated that the DRC is leading its own response, with Africa CDC providing vital support to national decisions, strengthening regional coordination, and facilitating the rapid deployment of expertise, teams, and resources where they are most needed. He emphasized that President Ramaphosa's visit underscored a message of confidence: the DRC can safely host high-level engagement and coordinated support, promoting responsible public health actions without isolation. Dr. Kaseya's powerful statement, “Ebola moves fast. Africa must move faster,” encapsulated the urgency of the situation. He stressed that the necessary financing and commitments exist, but they must now reach the front lines to save lives. Africa CDC continues its collaborative work with the DRC government, South Africa, WHO, the World Bank, the EU, the UK, and other partners to bolster the response, support communities, and safeguard the wider region from the threat of Ebola. ## The Path Forward: From Pledges to Prompt Action The high-level meeting concluded with a collective call from the two Heads of State for all partners to align their support with the priorities established by the DRC. They urged accelerated resource mobilization and, crucially, prompt disbursement of funds. Strengthening preparedness in neighboring countries remains a vital component of the strategy, as preventing cross-border transmission is essential for containing the outbreak effectively. This integrated approach, blending strong national leadership with robust regional and international solidarity, is the cornerstone of overcoming the Ebola challenge and building a more resilient health future for Africa.