“Malaria remains a major threat to health and development in Africa. I am committed to ensure that malaria remains high on the political agenda of the African Union and the international community. The elimination of malaria in Africa will not only save millions of lives, it will build more resilient health systems and contribute to Africa’s socio-economic transformation and achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want, says His Excellency, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau
The president of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who is also the 8th and current president of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), is about to conclude his two-year term at the helm of the organization.
ALMA, based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, plays a crucial role in the fight against malaria on the African continent, by coordinating efforts and mobilizing resources to achieve the goal of a malaria-free continent. The next president of ALMA will have the responsibility to continue this vital fight.
Sissoco Embaló succeeded former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and is now preparing to pass the baton to the next leader of ALMA. Under his efficient and visionary leadership, the organization has had a major impact on reducing malaria, a disease that still affects millions of people in Africa.
According to some rumors, the potential successor to Embaló could be João Lourenço, President of Angola, or Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Both of these leaders are considered influential and committed personalities in public health, and either one of them would bring a new dynamic to the presidency of ALMA.
It is worthy of note that Embaló in 2023 championed the creation of Africa’s first joint End Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Council. The council opened a new chapter in Guinea Bissau’s fight against diseases and demonstrates its unwavering commitment to achieving control and elimination targets by 2030 and improving the health and well-being of its people.
ALMA was created to unite African leaders in a collective effort to eradicate malaria, and the choice of the next president is of great importance for the continuity and strengthening of initiatives against this disease. The succession will be closely followed by the international community and development partners, who expect ongoing and enhanced commitment in the fight against malaria.
The power handover ceremony is scheduled for the coming months and will be a crucial moment to reaffirm the goals of the ALMA and define new strategies to meet future challenges.