The African Union Commission says it is dismayed by the US government's decision to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO). 

In a statement, Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat says the US, as a member of WHO, was crucial in shaping the organisation's instruments and norms on public health security over the past seven decades.

US President Donald Trump followed through on his election promise and announced plans to withdraw the US membership from WHO.

The US is WHO's biggest funder, with contributions running into billions of US dollars annually.

President Trump's repeated criticism of the UN agency dates back to his first term, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he said it ripped off the US.

AU Commission's Chairperson highlighted the role of the US as a strong and early supporter towards the establishment of the African Centre of Disease Control.

The Centre serves as the AU's technical agency for public health emergencies that works with WHO and its global membership to detect, prepare, respond, and recover from pandemics.

Moussa Faki Mahamat says now more than ever, the world depends on UN agencies to ensure global public health security as a shared common good.

He expressed hope that the US government will reconsider its decision to withdraw from the organisation, of which it is a key founding member.

The WHO has since labelled President Trump's actions as regrettable.