Communique of the Peace and Security Council at its 481st Meeting on 15 January 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

AFRICAN UNION

P. O. Box 3243, Addis Ababa,

Email: situationroom@africa-union.org

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 481^st MEETING

15 JANUARY 2015

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

PSC/PR/COMM.(CDLXXXI)

COMMUNIQUE

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), held its 481^st meeting on 15 January 2015 on the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa. The meeting was held pursuant to the decision taken by the PSC at its 464^th meeting held on 29 October 2014 to dedicate monthly meetings on the Ebola epidemic to receive comprehensive progress reports from the Commission, covering the evolution of the situation, the implementation of the mandate of the AU Support Mission to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), the status of contributions by AU Member States and the level of engagement of the larger international community in combating the epidemic and took the following decision:

Council,

1. Takes note of the briefing made by the Director for Social Affairs and commends the Commission for the progress made in the implementation of the mandate of the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA);

2. Recalls all its previous Communiques and Press Statements on the Ebola Epidemic in West Africa;

3. Reiterates its gratitude to all AU Member States that have contributed healthcare personnel, financial and material resources to the countries most affected by the Ebola epidemic. Council also commends the healthcare volunteers deployed in the affected countries in West Africa, who are putting their lives at great risk in the fight against the Ebola epidemic;

4. Notes that, in spite of some progress made, the fight against Ebola is still ongoing and that lack of adequate resources is prejudicial to the momentum gained. In this regard, Council stresses the need for renewed commitment in the fight against the epidemic and mobilization of additional resources in order to effectively support ASEOWA and the efforts of the region, as well as those of the countries most affected by the Ebola epidemic;

5. Reiterates its appeal to the AU Member States, which have not yet done so, and in the spirit of pan-African solidarity, to join the fight against the Ebola epidemic by extending necessary support to the countries most affected;

6. Also reiterates that it is the Ebola epidemic which needs to be isolated rather than the people of the affected countries. In this regard, Council, once again, deplores the continued stigmatization, discrimination and isolation of both the people and the countries most affected, including by some of the AU partners. In this context, Council, once again, reiterates its call on AU Member States, which have not yet done so, to fully comply with the decision that was adopted by the 16^th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council, held in Addis Ababa, on 8 September 2014, regarding the opening of borders and resumption of flights to the affected countries. Council also appeals to the AU partners to also assist in this fight against stigmatization and discrimination of people from the countries most affected by the epidemic;

7. Further urges the communities affected by the Ebola epidemic to renounce cultural

practices that are counter-productive to the fight against the Ebola epidemic and to guarantee the safety and security of healthcare personnel deployed in the affected areas;

8. Council decides to extend the mandate of ASEOWA by another six months; and

9. Council agrees to remain seized of the matter and to continue receiving periodic

briefings and reports from the Commission.