Statement by the Chairman of the Democrat Union of Africa on COVID-19

The Democrat Union of Africa (DUA), the affiliate of the global alliance of center-right political parties, the International Democrat Union (IDU), observes with grave concern, the raging scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa and across the globe and expresses solidarity to its members, partners, and institutions at this moment of emergency.

COVID-19 is spreading globally and is affecting us all. It has stoked uncertainty in many African countries given its biological complexity, contagion and the so far not successful effort to find immediate cure. In the midst of the disquiet, DUA wants to show its solidarity to all those who have lost their lives of this disease and to their families, to the frontline healthcare workers and to all responsible for the stability of supply chains who operate daily in these precarious circumstances.

For rural communities in the global south, taking key measures to minimize the spread of the disease is even harder than in the industrialized west. Regular hand washing and social distancing may become a challenge and could be seen as a privilege few can afford. Especially in remote areas, limited infrastructure and communication can impede preventive measures.

DUA strongly believes that the time for international co-operation among governments, institutions and organizations fighting the pandemic in joint action is now. The global community shall unite to contain the pandemic and support the most affected communities worldwide by sharing human and material resources.

In the spirit of common humanity, DUA supports all approaches that will put human lives first and preserve human dignity. Also, in the midst of a global emergency of such magnitude, let’s eschew politicization, discrimination against minorities and abuse of power. DUA Honorary Patron, the President of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo calls for a human centered approach, putting the people of Africa first, but also espousing democratic governance, human rights and free market principles in this challenging time.

We further urge a joint multilateral approval to ease the debt burden on struggling economies in the forum of restructuring debts. Nations such as China that is heavily indebted by African nations must move beyond face mask diplomacy and announce restructuring of debts. DUA further calls African universities and science scholars to collaborate in the search of Covid-19 vaccine that is free and available to the people of the continent.

DUA wishes our members and partners well, believing that together we shall contain COVID-19 and ensure global health security and prosperity in the long- term future. Let’s share ideas and resources. Let’s co-operate and not isolate. Let’s spread hope and calm and fight together this extraordinary situation!

McHenry Venaani
DUA Chairman