The first article in this report on pages 2 to 4 is titled: The African Union’s structures and mechanisms put to the test – Since the outbreak of the coronavirus at the beginning of the year, the African Union (AU) has been active in coordinating responses across Africa and has been praised for its quick reaction to the pandemic. The following article on page 5 : Ramaphosa takes charge at home and on the continent – South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, chairperson of the AU for 2020, convened a teleconference meeting of the continental organisation on 3 April 2020 to discuss Africa’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. On page 7 : COVID-19 compounds security threats in West and Central Africa – Despite low infection rates at first, Africa has seen, for a few weeks now, a rise in the number of people infected with COVID-19. Some experts predict that the peak of the pandemic is yet to come. On page 9 : Towards a regional response in the Horn – Since COVID-19 was first reported in the region in March 2020, states in the Horn of Africa have been taking drastic measures to curb the spread of the pandemic. While they are doing what is possible to mitigate the epidemiological and economic ramifications of the pandemic, little is said, however, about its impact on peace and security. On page 12 – COVID-19: Responses in Africa must include migrants and refugees – Migrants and displaced people across Africa are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 transmission. Governments should resist nationalist responses that could put vulnerable people more at risk and exacerbate the spread. On page 14 – PSC Interview with Dr Mayaki: Amid great uncertainty, Africa needs to prepare – The COVID-19 pandemic is having a serious impact on African economies and societies, even though the actual numbers of those infected with the virus are still relatively low. The PSC Report asked
Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of the African Development Agency (AUDA)-Nepad, what is being done to assist African countries during the crisis.
