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Lloyd Gumbo in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Sadc and African Union Chairman President Mugabe arrived here yesterday to attend an international conference on Africa’s fight against Ebola.
He was welcomed at Malabo International Airport by his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and the First Lady Constancia Mangue De Obiang.
Also there to receive him were Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa and officials from both Zimbabwe and the West African country.
Cde Mugabe is travelling with First Lady Amai Mugabe, Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and senior Government officials.
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is the Acting President.
The conference – running from Monday to Tuesday – follows the International Ebola Recovery Conference convened by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon about two weeks ago.
The AU Chair attended that event alongside the Presidents of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea; the countries hardest hit by the disease.
Africa wants to guide the recovery of such countries and has invited health ministers and continental business leaders, among other participants.
They will share experiences in fighting Ebola, with pledges to assist recovery expected at the conference’s conclusion.
Further, the gathering will explore public health investment strategies to eliminate major disease outbreaks as they are among impediments to Africa’s socio-economic development.
The conference was organised by the AU Commission; Ecowas; Manu River Union and the affected countries.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa was first reported in March 2014, though the disease was discovered in 1976.
It has been reported that at least 11,193 people have died from the disease in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, the United States and Mali.
Over 27,352 cases have been recorded.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter