Ramaphosa urges continental solidarity as fresh Bundibugyo Ebola cases emerge

Where the outbreaks have been reported

The Bundibugyo strain was reported in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in Kampala, Uganda after laboratory confirmation.

Early detection and praise for transparency

Ramaphosa said that early detection, rapid reporting and bold political action are the difference between containment and catastrophe. He commended the governments of the DRC and Uganda for what he described as their “swift transparency in declaring the Bundibugyo strain outbreaks in Ituri Province and Kampala.”

“These governments have shown the resolve needed to protect lives, reassure communities, and prevent a wider regional crisis,” Ramaphosa said.

Calls for regional cooperation and strengthened surveillance

Ramaphosa stressed that Ebola “does not respect borders” and warned that, in a region with high population mobility, insecurity and humanitarian movement, the risk of regional spread is significant and requires urgent, coordinated action.

He urged affected and at-risk countries to:

• Intensify cross-border collaboration
• Strengthen surveillance at formal and informal points of entry
• Ensure rapid information sharing, particularly in areas affected by insecurity and displacement

“I therefore urge affected and at-risk countries to intensify cross-border collaboration, strengthen surveillance at formal and informal points of entry, and ensure rapid information sharing, particularly in areas affected by insecurity and population displacement,” Ramaphosa said.

Support, investment and concrete action

Ramaphosa said Pretoria stands in solidarity with the governments and peoples of the DRC and Uganda, especially affected communities and frontline health workers, and he commended neighbouring countries that have moved rapidly to strengthen preparedness, cross-border surveillance and emergency coordination.

He also urged the DRC and Uganda to sustain strong political leadership and continue working closely with frontline responders and communities in an environment of trust and transparency to stop the outbreaks at their source and prevent further spread.

On financing and health-system readiness, Ramaphosa said the outbreaks are a reminder that Africa must continue investing in resilient public health systems and regional health security architecture despite a decline in official development assistance. He listed preparedness priorities including:

• National public health institutes
• Emergency operations centres
• Laboratory and genomic surveillance networks
• A trained health workforce and rapid response capabilities

He called on African Union member states and international partners to strengthen support for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response through timely financing, technical assistance, medical countermeasures and direct support to affected communities, adding that “solidarity must translate into concrete action.”