MINISTRY OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS
MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Press Release
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ECOWAS
Urges International Community’s Assistance To Fight Ebola ; Terms It Regional Threat
March
27, 2014: In the wake of the outbreak of the Ebola
Haemorrheagic fever in the Republic of Guinea, which has reportedly spread to
neighboring Liberia, the Mediation and Security Council of ECOWAS, comprising
Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense of the ECOWAS sub-region, has
expressed deep concern over the outbreak, which it considers a threat to
regional security.
In a communiqué issued
by the Mediation and Security Council at the end of its 31st Meeting
in Yamoussokro, Cote d’Ivoire on March 25, 2014, the Council underscored the
need for a robust regional response in putting a halt to the further spread of
the deadly scourge. The Council called
on the President of the ECOWAS Commission, in consultation with the West
African Health Organization (WAHO), to take appropriate and swift actions to
mobilize the stakeholders and the needed resources to stem out the epidemic
from the region. The Council also appealed to the International Community to
assist the affected countries in the management of the Ebola epidemic in the
region.
Speaking on the issue
during the Council’s Meeting, Liberian Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan
and his Guinean counterpart, Lounceny Fall, separately informed the Council
about the extent to which the deadly disease has impacted their respective
countries and steps that had been taken by their respective governments along
with other partners to contain the outbreak.
Minister Ngafuan, quoting reports from the
Liberian Ministry of Health, informed that the Liberian health facilities along
the border with Guinea had recorded four deaths of Guineans Ebola victims who
had crossed into Liberia for treatment. The Liberian Foreign Minister further
informed the Council that, considering the contagious nature of the Ebola
epidemic and the frequent cross-border movements by citizens of both countries
for trading and other purposes, it was important that ECOWAS and other
international partners move quickly in assisting Liberia and Guinea in
containing the virus.
Meanwhile, the Foreign
Minister of Guinea informed the Council that the Government of Guinea has
initiated some preliminary measures with a view to preventing the contraction
and spread of the Ebola epidemic. These measures include quarantining those
diagnosed of the Ebola Haemorraheagic fever; and discouraging the consumption
of bats which are believed to be transmitters of the Ebola virus.
Signed:
Hon. Horatio Bobby Willie
Assistant Minister / Public Affairs
Hon. Horatio Bobby Willie
Assistant Minister / Public Affairs