India-Africa Forum Summit postponed as Ebola concerns rise

Summit in New Delhi delayed amid regional Ebola outbreaks

The fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), due to be held in New Delhi this week, has been postponed after consultations between the Government of India and the African Union (AU) about the evolving health situation in parts of Africa.

Health concerns drive decision

The AU and India said the decision came in light of outbreaks of the Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The two sides exchanged views on the evolving health situation and reaffirmed the importance of strengthened public health preparedness and response capacities, including support to Africa CDC and national institutions, the AU said in a statement.

International response and risk assessment

According to the World Health Organization cited in the announcement, the risk from the epidemic is assessed as high at the national and regional levels, and low at the global level. The WHO statement noted 51 confirmed cases in the DRC in the northern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, including in the cities of Bunia and Goma, and said Uganda had reported two confirmed cases in Kampala, including one death among two individuals who travelled from the DRC.

AU and India to set new dates

After consultations between the Government of India, the Chairperson of the African Union and the African Union Commission, the parties agreed it would be advisable to convene the IAFS at a later date. New dates for the summit and its associated meetings will be finalised through mutual consultations and communicated in due course, the AU said.

South Africa’s perspective

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the AU Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, commended the governments of the DRC and Uganda for declaring the outbreaks. He emphasised the need for sustained political leadership and coordinated action to stop outbreaks at their source.

“Ebola does not respect borders. In a region marked by high population mobility, insecurity and humanitarian movement, the risk of regional spread is significant and demands urgent, coordinated action.”

South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, said the decision was taken to avoid putting people’s health at risk, noting that delegates from 75 countries were registered to participate in the summit. He described the postponement as a collective decision made to ensure safety and well-being.

What the summit represents

The IAFS is described as the apex institutional mechanism for India’s engagement with Africa, covering political, security, economic, trade, development, cultural and people-to-people ties. The AU statement said India reaffirmed its solidarity with African peoples and governments and expressed readiness to support Africa CDC-led efforts to address the evolving health situation.

Work already completed and next steps

Professor Sooklal said AU and Indian officials had largely completed negotiations on the draft declaration and programme of action ahead of the summit. He noted the summit programme included political and economic engagement, an extensive cultural programme and an academic forum to bring together universities and academics.

India and Africa reaffirmed their long-standing partnership founded on solidarity, mutual respect and South–South cooperation, the AU said, and stated both sides remain committed to finalising arrangements for the summit at a later time.