The African Union Commission on Friday (November 9th) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) to enhance efforts to control and eradicate African animal Trypanosomiasis, caused by tsetse fly.

The MoU will facilitate collaboration on the promotion and improvement of animal health, protection of livestock and saving human life and in particular exploring means for achieving control and eradication of African animal Trypanosomiasis throughout the continent. The two parties will now work together to plan and implement research, develop, validate and deploy animal health products and services related to this disease within the framework of the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) Office of the Africa Union Commission's Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture.

The Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, commended GALVmed's commitment towards tackling animal diseases in Africa, and noted the MOU would be of cardinal importance in enhancing efforts by the two organizations to control trypanosomiasis and benefit resource-poor livestock owners in Africa