Communique: The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 450th meeting held in Addis Ababa, on 19 August 2014, adopted a decision on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa

AFRICAN UNION

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UNIAO AFRICANA

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Email: situationroom(S)africa-union.org

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 450™ MEETING

19 AUGUST 2014

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

PSC/PR/COMM.(CDL)

COMMUNIQUE

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 450^th meeting held in Addis Ababa, on 19 August 2014, adopted the following decision on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa:

Council:

1. Takes note of the briefing made by the Commission, on the situation relating to the outbreak of Ebola in some countries in West Africa;

2. Expresses its deep concern at the current situation, and its full solidarity and support to the countries affected by this epidemic;

3. Recognizes the seriousness of the security implications of the current Ebola outbreak, and notes with concern that three of affected countries are in a post-conflict situation, and that the epidemic has the potential of undermining the tremendous progress made by these countries over the past few years. In this respect, Council calls for renewed efforts, both within Africa and from partners in combating the epidemic;

4. Recalls the relevant provisions of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, in particular, Article 6(f) relating to aspects of the mandate of the PSC with regard to humanitarian action and disaster management, as well as to the role of the African Standby Force in humanitarian emergency situations;

5. Commends the countries of the region, under the auspices of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the steps already taken in dealing with the Ebola outbreak, and welcomes the readiness and commitment of AU partners to support African efforts to this effect;

6. Decides, given the emergency situation caused by the Ebola outbreak, to authorize the immediate deployment of an AU-led Military and Civilian Humanitarian Mission, comprising medical doctors, nurses and other medical and paramedical personnel, as well as military personnel, as required for the effectiveness and protection of the Mission;

7. Requests the Commission, in cooperation with the countries affected, ECOWAS and all relevant partners and stakeholders to take, without further delay, the necessary steps to develop a Concept of Operations for the AU Mission authorized in paragraph 6 above, including its logistical, financial and other relevant aspects;

8. Encourages all AU Member States, and the international community as a whole, to extend the necessary support to the deployment of the AU Mission against Ebola outbreak. In this regard, Council underlines the need to pay particular attention to the impact of the epidemic on the post-conflict reconstruction and socio-economic development efforts in the countries affected;

9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.