Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and 11 other former
leaders have appealed to governments in Africa to do more in the fight against
coronavirus.
They also advised international organisations to draw up a
concrete, effective, and continental emergency plan to combat COVID-19 outbreak
in the continent.
The ex-Presidents/Prime Ministers warned that “with porous
borders all over Africa, national efforts will not be enough but regional and
continental were required”.
Their position was contained in a joint statement on Tuesday
titled “Appeal for preparation for Africa to confront the onslaught of
COVID-19”.
It read: “We have seen the mitigation effect or otherwise by
the preparatory and preventive actions made by different nations and
international organisations to combat the killer virus.
“The results have been related to seriousness of preparation
and preventive measures taken including the level of healthcare measures and
delivery. The epidemiological progression in already affected areas has
indicated that the worst case is yet to occur in Africa.
“Taking into account the weak healthcare bases in Africa,
the conurbation, and the communal living of our people particularly in ghettos
and poverty-stricken areas of our cities, the outbreak of COVID-19 in these areas
of African communities and cities will be a monumental disaster.
“We, as concerned African leaders, note the efforts that
African governments are making within their limited resources to deal with this
global challenge.”
The statesmen urged the African Union (AU), United Nations
(UN), World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank and G-20, to urgently come up
with a plan to alleviate social and economic effects of the disease.
The call for action was co-signed by Obasanjo, Festus Mogae
(Botswana), Hailemariam Desalegn (Ethiopia), John Kufour (Ghana), Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf (Liberia), Joyce Banda (Malawi) and Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique).
Others are Thabo Mbeki (South Africa), Kgalema Motlanthe
(South Africa) Benjamin Mkapa (Tanzania), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) and Mohamed
Marzouki (Tunisia).
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