Joly Announces $1M Funding to Combat Mpox in Africa as Liberals Develop Pan-Continental Strategy
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly states that Canada will contribute $1 million to help combat mpox in Africa as her government works on a long-awaited plan for engaging with the continent.
The funding will be directed to the World Health Organization as they strive to contain the spread of the virus previously known as monkeypox, which is rapidly spreading across Africa.
During a visit to a vaccination coordination center in Ivory Coast, Joly will then travel to South Africa for a two-day visit starting on Wednesday.
The purpose of the visit to the West African nation is to explore shared counterterrorism priorities and reinforce Canada’s relationships with both French-speaking countries.
Joly’s office indicates that discussions will also focus on economic partnerships between Canada and South Africa and commemorate 30 years since the end of apartheid.
This trip follows the recent launch of consultations by the Liberals on their approach to Africa, including the placement of diplomats and key focus areas.
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The African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has requested Canada to donate some of its mpox vaccine stockpile, with Ottawa currently considering possible ways to provide assistance.
The newly announced funding will be utilized to enhance detection and reporting systems for mpox, including strengthening laboratory testing and expediting research, as outlined by Joly’s office.
This funding is an extension of the $2 million contribution Canada previously made to the WHO for responding to global health emergencies.
Prior to this, South Africa criticized countries like Canada for holding onto COVID-19 vaccines urgently needed in Africa and not endorsing efforts to waive patents on COVID-19 medications and vaccines that were rarely permitted for production in African nations.
Joly stated in a release, “Canada stands by our African and multilateral partners in their endeavors to accelerate the response to the current mpox outbreak. We are ready to support the global response and play our part in halting the virus’s spread.”
The Liberals have been developing what was initially termed as an Africa strategy for nearly three years but rebranded it as a framework last year. Recently, Ottawa now refers to it as their “approach” to the continent.
Experts in public administration have noted that strategies are long-term plans with funding allocations, while frameworks consist of general principles.
In 2022, senators on the foreign-affairs committee cautioned that Canada was falling behind its peers and adversaries in establishing economic relationships on the continent.
Africa is defying a global demographic decline trend, with a burgeoning young population and various trade agreements and infrastructure projects that economists predict will spur economic growth.
Canada has committed to a form of economic cooperation plan with Africa and completed a consultation last summer. The integration of this project into the broader approach led by Joly remains uncertain.
Aid experts have urged Canada to better define the projects it supports in Africa and adopt a more consistent approach to development and trade.
Organizations like the One Campaign and CUSO International have emphasized that Canada risks losing influence due to ongoing disengagement, consequently ceding ground to Russia and China.
