Ebola: African Leaders call for more solidarity
Posted by admin | 10 years ago | 2,427 times
African leaders have launched a call for more solidarity and a coordinated approach to deal with Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
They warned that the knee-jerk response to serial Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreaks in West Africa, such as the closing of borders and cancellation of flights were having counter- productive, with negative economic and social impact on the sub-region.
They consequently called on all countries not to take any decision that suggests full embargo against Ebola affected states.
Disclosing this in an open letter signed by the President of Tanzania and other heads of states and prominent people, including popular musicians, as a well as leaders from civil society and businesses, they expressed concern that the effect could be more on a young democracy like Liberia which has just come out of a long and debilitating civil war.
They described the approach as one that has been denounced by both the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), calling on all citizens to play their role by demanding a coordinated and rational response from African governments and international institutions.
They went on to warn that the Knee-jerk response to the serial EVD outbreaks in West Africa, such as the closing of borders and cancellation of flights were having counter –productive economic and social impact on the sub- region.
The petition was signed by famous leaders such as former president Mkpapa of Tanzania; Graca Machel, civil society leader and wife of the late President Mandela; the singer and former minister, Youssour N’Dour; and a number of prominent leaders and personalities from music, media and business.
Source: Eberechi Obinagwam
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