AU COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON RECEIVES TWO NEW AMBASSADORS ACCREDITED TO THE AFRICAN UNION

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2014- The African Union Commission has reiterated its determination to assist affected countries in fighting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) that has so far killed nearly 1500 people in West Africa.

African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma assured the new Ambassador of Sierra Leone Mr. Osman Keh Kamara that the continental organization is seized with the matter of the outbreak, its consequences and the responses to it. She acknowledged the challenges being faced by Sierra Leone and other affected countries as they deal with the disease outbreak as well as its consequences. “Our thoughts are with the people of Sierra Leonne and other affected countries”, she said

The discussion between the two leaders took place as Ambassador Kamara was at the AU headquarters to present the letters accrediting him as his country’s Permanent Representative to the AU.

Sierra Leone’s new Ambassador to the AU commended the African Union for its timely contribution to augment his government’s efforts to combat the EVD. As part of those efforts, the AU’s Peace and Security Council last week authorised the immediate deployment of a joint AU-led military and civilian humanitarian mission to tackle the emergency situation caused by the Ebola outbreak and to ensure that Ebola is brought under control. The mission will comprise medical doctors, nurses and other medical and paramedical personnel. The operation is expected to run for six months with monthly rotation of volunteers. The operation will cost more than USD25 million and the US government and partners have pledged to support the African Union with a substantial part of this amount.

Ambassador Kamara also decried the closing of borders and stoppage of air services into affected countries, saying this would hamper the continent’s integration efforts. He urged dialogue on the issue.

The AU Commission Chairperson also met the new Ambassador of the Russian Federation H.E. Mr. Vsevolod I. Tkachenko who presented his letters of credence. She acknowledged the good cooperation that has been ongoing between the Russian Federation and the African Union. The Chairperson highlighted that there is still more that can be done, further indicating that she looked forward to the impending visit of Russia’s Foreign Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov in September.

Mr. Tkachenko pledged to do his utmost to fast track cooperation between the Russian Federation and the AU, adding that the Foreign Minister’s visit will help to assess the status of cooperation as well as discuss the way forward.

“We have a big agenda ahead of us”, he said

For further information contact:

Mrs Wynne Musabayana| Deputy Head of Communication and Information Division | Directorate of Information and Communication AUC| E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org