As
the Ebola virus becomes an overwhelming human catastrophe affecting
public
health, social institutions and economic well-being in Africa, we stand
in solidarity with our fellow citizens in the countries victimized by
this deadly disease.
We
also thank and salute the local and international health workers who
are
risking their lives daily, intervening on the ground to eradicate the
scourge of Ebola, often without access to gloves and other protective
supplies.
We
acknowledge and applaud the decision of the Economic Community of West
African
States (Ecowas) health ministers to call for the lifting of travel bans
to Ebola affected countries, which are hampering the fight against Ebola
and restricting the arrival of essential expertise and equipment, as
well as fuel to provide electricity, medications
to treat other deadly diseases such as malaria and food to prevent
famine.
In the name and interest of our common humanity, we are collectively launching
this urgent Citizens' Call to Action.
We
call on our respective Heads of State and Government to avoid full
embargo
against Ebola-affected states. While we understand the legitimate
concerns for the protection of their population, we remind African
leaders of their obligation to pan-African solidarity and the global
community of their humanitarian obligations in emergencies.
We urge the following immediate actions:
One
Ensure that the flow of essential assistance can reach those in need, while
maintaining economic activity necessary for sustaining life in cities and villages, by
• Authorizing and implementing the local recommendations issued by
the World Health Organization (WHO)
•
Acknowledging the impossibility of quarantining entire nations and
instead establish much-needed economic and humanitarian corridors of
access - essential life-lines - both within the affected countries and
between countries.
Two
We
call on African opinion leaders – including artists, athletes,
filmmakers,
writers, journalists, academics – to initiate or to actively take part
in public information campaigns on prevention and transmission of the
Ebola. These can happen via road-shows, film screenings, theatrical
pieces, discussion groups, and the distribution
of messages via cellphone networks. And we call upon global opinion
leaders to add their talents and voices in support.
Three
We
call on the broad private sector, the pharmaceutical industry, and the
research
community, in particular, to fund, facilitate and make immediately
available access to all known methods of prevention and treatment of
this menacing threat to our global well-being.
Join the call by signing the petition at
Signed on August 31, 2014
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Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
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Benjamin Mkapa, Former President Tanzania
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Mrs Graca Machel, President of the Foundation for Community Development
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Bineta Diop , Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, African Union
-
Youssou N’Dour, Singer
-
Ali Mufuruki, InfoTech Investment Group
-
Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of UN-Energy and former Director-General
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Zainab Bangura, Special Representative of UN Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
-
Ashih Thakkar, Founder, MARA Group
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AKON, Singer
-
Frannie Leautier, Founder, Mkoba Group
-
Wendy Luhabe, Africa Chairperson, Cartier Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs
-
Dele Olojede, Journalist, Pulitzer Prize Winner
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Amadou Mahtar Ba, Executive Chairman, Co Founder AllAfrica Global Media
-
Akere Muna, Presiding Officer, AU Economic, Social and Cultural Council
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Mamadou Toure, Founder, Africa 2.0
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Thelma Awori, chair Institute for Social Transformation, former UNDP Director
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Angelle Kwemo, Founder & Chair Believe in Africa
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Linus Gitahi, CEO Nation Media Group
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Prof. Ousmane Kane, Harvard University
-
Ebrima Sall, Executive Secretary CODESRIA
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Slim Othmani. CEO, NCA-Rouiba, Chairman Algeria Business Council.
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Prof. Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Columbia University
-
Prof. Alioune Sall, Director, African Futures Institute, South Africa ,
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Prof. Mamadou Diouf, Columbia University
-
Trevor Ncube, Deputy Executive Chair, Mail&Guardian
-
Omar Ben Yedder, Director IC Publications
-
Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Founder and CEO, APO (African Press Organization)
-
Oulimata Sarr, Country Coordinator, IFC Advisory Services
-
Férial Haffajee, Editor In Chief, City Press
-
Zyad Limam, Director Afrique Magazine
-
Aminata Forna, Professor of Creative Writing and award-winning author
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Mahen Bonetti, Founder & Executive Director of African Film Festival, Inc.
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Fatou Wurie, Activist
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Aliou Goloko, CEO Goal Communication
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Reed Kramer, CEO, AllAfrica Global Media
- Aly
Leno, Président Union des Journalistes Culturels et Animateurs de Guinée )
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Tidiane Soumah, PDG Todoane World Music
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Dr Tendai Mhizha, CEO Integra Africa
-
Samba Bathily, PDG ADS
-
Prof. Cheikh Ibrahima Niang, UCAD
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Prof. Penda Mbow, UCAD
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Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o, former minister, Kenya
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Dr Tami Hultman, CEO AllAfrica Foundation
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Soyata Maiga, Special Rapporteur on Women Human Rights in Africa
-
Harriette Williams Bright, Femmes Africa Solidarité
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Isham Elgar Olympic and World Champion
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Younes Maamar CEO Eone Investments
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Prof. Fatima Harrak, President CODESRIA, Mohamed V Souissi, University.
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Prof. Kwadwo Ansah Koram, Director Noguchi Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon
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Prof. Adam Habib, Vice Chancellor, University of Witwatersrand
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Prof. Olive Shisana, CEO, Human Sciences Research Council
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Prof. Suren Pilley, University of Western Cape
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the Citizens
Call to Action against Ebola.
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