On 19^th February, the Assembly of the African Union appointed Dr Jean Kaseya of the Democratic Republic of Congo as Director General of the AfricaCDC for a mandate of 4 years. He will oversee the delivery of the core functions and key objectives of the organization, as per its statute.

According to the statute, the mandate of the Africa CDC is as follows:

1. Establish event-based surveillance in order to detect potential disease threats from informal, non-structured sources that often circulate outside the official health sector
2. Assist Member States to address gaps in International Health regulation compliance
3. Support public health emergency preparedness and response
4. Map the regional- and country-level hazard and risk assessments for Member States.

The DG will also be responsible for the formulation and implementation of substantive work programs for the Regional Collaborating Centers and ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion.

For further information please contact:

Mrs. Wynne Musabayana| Head of Communication| Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission |Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail:MusabayanaW@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia