The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to fast-track the nomination process for a new Regional Director for Africa, suspending Rule 52 of the region’s election procedures.
This rule typically mandates a six-month period for member states to submit nominations. The expedited process is necessitated by the unexpected passing of Dr. Faustine Ndugulile, the director-elect, in November 2024.
Dr. Ndugulile, who was elected by the WHO Africa Regional Committee in September, was poised to assume the position in February 2025 after his election was confirmed by the WHO Executive Board.
In its meetings, WHO was faced with a decision of whether to re-open nominations for the position, hold new elections based on the three remaining candidates or simply choose the runner-up as the next regional director.
Following a special session of the WHO Africa Regional Committee last week, a new timeline for the selection process has been established whereby it has re-opened nominations.
Member states were set to receive an invitation from the WHO Director-General from January 21st to submit nominations by February 28th.
A virtual live candidates’ forum is scheduled for April 2nd, providing a platform for the nominated candidates to present their vision and engage with member states.
The Regional Committee has requested the Director-General to convene another special session in Geneva on May 18th, just before the World Health Assembly. During this session, member states will elect the next Regional Director, who will then be nominated to the Executive Board.
However, the final appointment of the Regional Director-elect will still require formal approval by the WHO Executive Board during its February 2026 meeting.
The role of WHO Regional Director for Africa is pivotal in guiding the organization’s public health efforts across the continent.
Reports show that Ndugulile secured 25 of the 46 votes at the WHO Africa regional conference in the Republic of Congo.
The three candidates who were part of the election process could be renominated by their countries. The candidates were Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall (Senegal), Richard Mihigo (Rwanda) and Dr Boureima Hama Sambo (Niger).
Socé Fall currently serves as the Director of the Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases at WHO headquarters in Geneva while Dr.Mihigo is Gavi’s Senior Director of Programmatic and Strategic Engagement with the African Union and Africa CDC, but worked for WHO Africa until March 2022. Sambo is the WHO Representative to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The successful candidate will have to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who is retiring after serving as the first female Regional Director for WHO Africa.
Dr. Moeti gained significant recognition for her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and impactful public health initiatives.
