Events

Press Release NO. 184/ 2014

African Union deploys more volunteers for the Ebola fight
Announces business roundtable for resource mobilisation

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia– 06 November 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Wednesday expressed appreciation to the third group of African volunteers who are being deployed under the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) operation, for their commitment to assist affected countries, in keeping with the founding pan African solidarity principles of the African Union.

“We thank you very much, you make us proud, you are doing a service to humanity” said the AU Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, while addressing the volunteers at the African Union headquarters. The African Union Commission has already deployed a total of 48 volunteers to Sierra Leone and to Liberia.

The new team of volunteers includes doctors, laboratory experts, data analysts and communication experts different African countries.

“We are in solidarity with our brothers and sisters. We can have African solutions to African problems” said Rwandan Medical Epidemiologist Landry Mayigane who is one of the volunteers being deployed to West Africa. “We request the Africa Union Commission to lobby with Heads of State and Government to ensure that we do not face stigmatisation when we return to our countries. We will do our best to help our brothers and sisters in West Africa and take all measures to remain safe” he added.

The Commission is engaging the Union’s Member States for additional volunteers. To date various Member States have responded including Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda and the modalities for their deployment are being worked out.

The Chairperson also announced that the African Union will meet with top business people from the African continent this Saturday to see how they can also be involved in the fight against Ebola and, more broadly, to discuss how the private sector can help in the transition period to revive the affected countries’ economies.

The African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak (Operation ASEOWA) is deploying volunteers from across the continent to ensure that Ebola is defeated.

For more information, visit http://www.africa-union.org

For further information contact

Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Tawanda Chisango| | Social Affairs | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182029 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision:to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peacewith itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable,efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

Press Release Nº 296/2014

Norway signs USD 2.75 million direct support to African Union Ebola operation

Commends the African Union for its leadership in the Ebola response

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia– 28 October 2014: The Government of Norway and the African Union have signed a funding agreement providing USD 2,750,000 in direct support for the African Union’s Ebola response in West Africa. The agreement was signed by the Commissioner for Social Affairs, H.E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko and State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Hans Brattskar, in Addis Ababa, on 28 October 2014.

“ Let me take this opportunity to commend the efforts of the Government of Norway for its sustained efforts to support Africa’s development priorities and its current support to the efforts of the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa” said Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko ‘The only way to stop the epidemic is to put people on the ground and the African Union is taking a lead on that front” he added.

The new agreement provides a significant contribution to the African Union Ebola Support to West Africa at a crucial time when international efforts against the Ebola virs are being intensified.

“Norway commends the African Union Commision and its Chairperson for their leadership in the fight against the Ebbola outbreak. We also recognise AU member countries that are providing financial contributions, personnel or other resources to the ASEOWA operation and we encourage others to do the same,” said Mr Brattskar.

‘We note the African Union’s increasing importance in continental and international affairs and urge ASEOWA to continue to cooperate and coordinate with other actors on the ground, such as local authorities, the United Nations, civil society and other ongoing international efforts” he added.

The ASEOWA operation is filling the existing gap in international efforts to the Ebola response. The African Union made a historic decision end of August by declaring Ebola a threat to peace and security in Africa, invoking article 6 (f) relating to its mandate with regard to humanitarian action and disaster management at its 450th meeting. The Commission has already mobilised medical personnel for Sierra Leonne and Liberia and will be deploying to Guinea Conakry.

For more information, visit http://www.au.int

For further information contact

Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Tawanda Chisango| Social Affairs | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182029 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision:to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peacewith itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable,efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire - 25 October 2014.
Leaders of three Pan-African institutions – the African Union Commission’s Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the African Development Bank’s Dr Donald Kaberuka, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s Dr. Carlos Lopes – concluded a solidarity tour on Friday 24 October 2014 in Conakry, Guinea.

The visit ended with a confident call to step up resource mobilisation, enhance coordination, fight stigmatization, promote Africa’s readiness for business and its continued rise. Starting off in Ghana, the visit took in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire, before rounding off in Guinea.

They met with Heads of Government, cabinet Ministers, parliamentarians, civil society and media in the affected countries, as well as with leaders of two neighbouring countries, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Ghana also hosted the delegation in its capacity as the current President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The primary purpose of the visit was to show solidarity in the spirit of Ubuntu, to shore up more resources to support the Governments and peoples of these countries, and to engage with leaders on their national efforts and strategies in response to Ebola.

Their discussions focused on the immediate public health needs, in particular arresting the spread of the disease, as well as on the immediate and longer-term social and economic impact of Ebola. They saluted the courage, resilience and determination of the Governments and the people in overcoming the panic phase, embarking on massive public education around how the disease is spread, modes of prevention, social mobilization, contact tracing, testing and treatment, and also managing deaths and burials.

They recognised the stepped up contributions of the international community in providing financial, technical, infrastructural and medical support to the fight against the EVD, and urged all to do still more.

They appreciated the response to the AUC Chairperson’s appeal for AU Member States to make available medical personnel as soon as possible. Many countries heeded the call, with some 2000 health workers from the African continent pledged.

They said that enhancing coordination becomes even more critical, at both the national and international levels. Resources must be channeled to support the strategies, structures and procedures laid down by the Governments of the three affected countries. Accountability and transparency must be given at every level.

The AfDB’s contribution – currently at over 220 million USD – includes supporting the international response, budgetary support for the deployment of health workers from across Africa and the diaspora, as well as supporting the health systems in the three countries, including training local health extension and community workers.

The group shared the concern that stigmatisation is hurting not just those suffering from Ebola, but the whole continent of Africa. It felt that the virus – and perceptions about it – cannot be allowed to affect the economic prospects of the fastest growing continent. The group strongly believed that the Mano River Basin countries, now at the epicenter of the epidemic, continue to have some of the best economic prospects of the continent. In continuing to call for a lifting of all travel bans, it was pleased to hear that Côte d’Ivoire has resumed flights to Guinea this week, and will do so with Sierra Leone and Liberia in the coming days.

With all the national, continental and international efforts, the heads of the Pan-African institutions came back more energised to continue the fight to defeat the negative predictions and ensure that the continent remains on track to build the Africa we want.

For further information:
Jacob Enoh Eben, African Union Commission, tel. +251 11 55 17 700 EnohEbenj@africa-union.org
Bakary Sanogo, African Development Bank, tel. +225 01 15 18 18, b.sanogo@afdb.org
Sophia Denekew, Economic Commission for Africa, tel. +251 911 197 696, denekews@uneca.org

AU Commission Chairperson appeals to Member States for human resources to fight Ebola
Calls for immediate action to have adequate screening infrastructure at airports and rallies for media support to ongoing continental and global efforts.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia–17 October 2014: With reports that the turning point in the fight against Ebola has not yet been reached, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Thursday called for more continental solidarity to bring medical and public health officials to the affected countries. The African Union Commission, which has already called for emergency meetings of its executive and peace and security councils, has already deployed medical volunteers to two of the affected countries- 28 to Liberia and 21 to Sierra Leone under its African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak (Operation ASEOWA). The Commission is now putting together a team for Guinea Conakry.

‘The challenge with the Ebola response is mainly the need for infrastructure, including the need to establish treatment centres in all the three countries. During the United Nations General Assembly, the international community committed to take the lead on that front, with the United States commiting to lead efforts in Liberia, the British government in Sierra Leone and France in Guinea’, said Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the African Union Commission Chairperson.

‘The second challenge is human resources. Not many countries have pledged human resources, and yet if the infrastructure is made available we will need people to work in these centres. We have to do more as a continent to mobilise human resources”, she added.

The Chairperson of the Commission is pressing Member States to second medical teams and has since written to African Heads of State and Government to request for human resources, noting that it is Africa’s responsibility to support affected countries. If governments second staff the costs of bringing medical personnel on the ground will be significantly lower. She also stressed the need to ensure that the private sector is on board to support with protective clothing, accommodation and subsistence.

The African Union Commission is currently engaged with individual Member States as part of its ongoing political advocacy efforts to remove air, maritime and border closures that are affecting humanitarian access, and have far reaching implications for the affected countries’ economies, that are still grappling with post conflict reconstruction.

Last week the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko led a delegation from the African Union to West Africa that visited Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The Commission is also having meetings with African airlines to make the necessary arrangements that will facilitate movement of people.

Some airlines are ready to fly as long as countries allow them to land. However most countries remain anxious and are concerned about the inadequate measures for screening at some airports. The African Union Commission and its international partners are lobbying African Union Member States to lift the bans and some of the measures include ensuring that the screening measures are strengthened. Some countries have relaxed the border restrictions and the African Union Commission continues to monitor the developments.

For further information contact

Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Tawanda Chisango| | Social Affairs | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182029 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision:to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peacewith itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable,efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

Sierra Leone President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma Welcomes African Union Deploymment of Health Experts in the Fight Against Ebola

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia–13 October 2014: In continuation of his visit to the Ebola affected countries, the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs H. E. Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko has informed the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma about the African Union’s response to the Ebola crises.
The AU Commissioner informed President Koroma on the formation of the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) as part of the implementation of the decisions of the AU Peace and Security Council meeting held in Addis Ababa on 18 August 2014. He pointed out that the AU has already commenced the deployment of health teams made of doctors, nurses, epidemiologists and lab technicians to boost the human resources in treatment centres.
Commissioner Kaloko further explained steps the African Union has taken to engage Member States on the urgent need to rescind actions that led to border closures, flight cancellations and the stigmatisation of the affected countries. The Commissioner stressed the need for coordination and the mobilization human and other resources in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease in the subregion.
President Koroma expressed appreciation for the AU intervention and deployment. He welcomed AU efforts towards normalizing air traffic as well as the AU visit, which he hoped would change the negative narrative that is preventing people from coming to states affected by Ebola. President Koroma urged the African Union under the leadership the Chairperson, HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to intensify the advocacy campaign and the mobilization of support for the affected countries. He also expressed his wish for quicker involvement of the AU.
The AU visit to Sierra Leone marks the end of a two week tour which saw the Commissioner and his team travel to Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Guinea. The visit was aimed at demonstrating African Union’s solidarity with the affected countries and explaining the AU interventions in the fight against Ebola. In Nigeria and Ghana, the AU delegation held high level discussions with the respective Governments and also with ECOWAS with a view of coordinating regional efforts in the fight against Ebola.

Meanwhile, a team of 21 health and other experts arrived in Freetown on 13 October as part of the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa. Another team will be deployed to Guinea in a forthnight to complete the first phase of the AU deployment of experts to the affected subregion. The AU team is expected to complement ongoing efforts to tackle the Ebola Virus Disease.

For more information, visit http://www.africa-union.org

For further information contact

Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Wurie Bah| | Social Affairs | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182227 | E-mail: Bahw@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia