Dr Nkengasong, who has been heading Africa CDC, the agency leading Africa's response to the coronavirus pandemic, was nominated by the US president last year.

The UN Aids agency has congratulated Dr Nkengasong while welcoming his confirmation, saying he “will provide outstanding leadership” of the programme.

https://twitter.com/UNAIDS/status/1522447105813626880?s=20&t=p4FxMK0ZvNV58HqdyWuN_A

The African Union Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki, praised Dr Nkengasong’s “exceptional leadership to the continent” following the confirmation.

The AU commission chief said Dr Nkengasong’s co-ordination of the AU’s response to the Covid pandemic “will stand him in exceptional good stead” in his new role.

https://twitter.com/AUC_MoussaFaki/status/1522482956857716737?s=20