AU to hold emergency meeting on Ebola in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The AU says it will hold an emergency meeting next week to come up with a strategy to deal with the Ebola epidemic. 

AU's Executive Council says next Monday's meeting at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, will also deliberate on the issue of suspension of flights, maritime and border closures, as well as stigmatisation of the affected countries and their nationals. 

The meeting has been necessitated by the need to have a common understanding of the Ebola virus and the current status of the response and a way forward. 

It will take into account the socio-political and economic impact of the disease. 

There are concerns that decisions by some African nations to close borders and halt flights could have serious socio-economic and cultural effects that can lead to more suffering. 

NEWS24