Ebola is Not African Union's Problem

The Ebola outbreaks in West Africa is the world's deadliest to date and World Health Organization (WHO) already declared as international health emergency as almost more than 4,000 people have died for the Ebola virus. most affected countries include Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

This epidemic needs local, national and international cooperation to deal with it in order to stop spreading on other regions. the highest representative of African people which is African Union scheduled to have a high level meeting in Tanzania this week to discuss the crisis facing the continent whether its peace and security but one word is glaringly missing from their agenda which is Ebola.

AU Commission Chairperson  Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is chairing the meeting with AU special envoys, mediators, foreign diplomats and representatives from Civil Society organizations.

African governments and most pan-African institutions are making only marginal contributions to the fight against the biggest threat to the continent for years. Solidarity with the people of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone consists mainly of pledges and plans rather than action and cash.
By October 17 the death toll had reached 4,555. The infection rate is climbing while the urgent need for medical personnel, field hospitals, laboratories and protective equipment hugely outstrips the accessible supply.

Its understandable that the affected countries in West Africa are feeling abandoned by the rest of Africa and AU meeting without discussing Ebola will be another nightmare of the devastating situation in West Africa.

It looks like in Africa there is no collective response or strategy to combat one of  the deadliest and fastest epidemic the world has witnessed recently. but every nations is trying to isolate and control the movement of people coming from the affected zones such as imposing restrictions or  banning the flights coming from these zones , which is having a huge impact on the economic activity of the continent.


Up to date only few nations pledged some contribution, also the African Development Bank said it had committed $220 Million, which channeled through World Health Organization, in contrast to this and surprisingly the AU has made "uncommitted pledge" of $700,000. despite perceptions that it would be the largest contributor.

Absolutely it will be lack of responsibility if AU doesn't see Ebola as its problem or ignore it on their agendas while fellow Africans are desperately suffering or dying because of Ebola.