Ready to Manage a Global Pandemic? Explaining the Involvement of the EU in the 2013–2016 Ebola Outbreak.

This article analyzes the involvement of the European Union (EU) in the 2013–2016 Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, which primarily affected West African countries but raised concerns in the EU due to infections among its citizens. Using descriptive social network analysis and interviews with crisis managers, the study finds that EU response coordination was limited by institutional deficiencies and unclear mandates, resulting in low centrality and flawed cooperation among EU actors. Postcolonial ties influenced the engagement of certain Western governments, notably the United Kingdom and the United States, while not all former colonial powers, such as France, were equally involved; moreover, EU Member States with Ebola infections did not necessarily play central roles. The findings highlight the need for clearer allocation of competences within the EU to improve coordination in future external public health crises, a priority reflected in the EU Global Health Strategy adopted in 2022.