AFRICA’S GOVERNANCE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 | PRELIMINARY REPORT 2020 The PSC has also clearly emphasized the need for peace efforts to remain active to address the persistent surge in terrorist activity, criminal network activities, and trafficking, all of which have capitalised on the distraction from the pandemic. Hotspots include Somalia and the region controlled by Boko Haram in the Sahel. There is an express need to also address the spread of insecurity into new areas, such as the Islamic terrorists in Mozambique. In general, it appears, thus far, that the AU response to COVID-19 has predominantly focused on epidemiologic and economic recovery and a great deal more is yet to be directed at reconfiguring governance and security risks and impacts. b. APRM Initial Response Response Fund is a financial instrument to mobilise and manage funds from the private sector in Africa. governance response to COVID-19. It has since launched virtual dialogues with member states and regional economic communities to provide a platform for sharing experiences on national governance responses to the epidemic. The APRM has encouraged country reporting on this crisis through the voluntary national reviews. The Mechanism is currently, on an ongoing basis, offering data on governance of COVID-19 through its platform on Agenda 2063 and other themed communities. In addition to this study, the APRM has also revised its study on United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) Principles of effective governance for sustainable development (effectiveness, accountability, and inclusiveness) of UN SDGs Agenda 2030 Aspiration 16 & AU Agenda 2063 Aspirations 1 and 2. The study shall now embed an assessment of national executives and parliamentarian’s awareness and policy-making approaches in dealing with COVID-19. Thus, the study shall accordingly respond to the Africa joint continental strategy for COVID-19 outbreak through promoting evidence-based public health practice for surveillance, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and control of COVID-19. a. Private Sector Response The AU and the Africa CDC have launched a publicprivate partnership with the Afro-Champions Initiative, known as the Africa COVID-19 Response Fund. The partnership aims to raise an initial US$ 150 million for immediate needs to prevent transmission and up to US$ 400 million to support sustainable medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic by pooling the resources required for the procurement of medical supplies and commodities; supporting the deployment of rapid responders across the continent as well as providing socio-economic support to the most vulnerable populations in Africa. The Africa COVID-19 51