AU criticizes U.S. decision to halt funding to WHO

The African Union (AU) on Wednesday criticized the decision of the U.S. government to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).

"The U.S. government's decision to suspend funding to WHO is deeply regrettable. Today more than ever the world depends on WHO's leadership to steer the global COVID-19 pandemic response," tweeted AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.

"Our collective responsibility to ensure WHO can fully carry out its mandate has never been more urgent," he added.

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration is halting the nation's funding to the WHO, a move experts have warned against, as COVID-19 continues to take a toll globally.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump also said a review is being conducted to assess the WHO's role in addressing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The announcement came as Trump is aggressively defending his own handling of the outbreak in the United States after his administration has been blamed for downplaying the COVID-19 threat early on and for delays in testing.