Assembly/AU/Res.1.(XXIV) Page 1 RESOLUTION ON DEBT CANCELLATION OF COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE We, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union meeting in our TwentyFourth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 30 to 31 January 2015; Recognizing that the Ebola virus is a global public health issue that threatens the entire planet and Africa in particular with regard to its human impact and consequences on the social and economic prospects of the continent, particularly for the three directly affected countries (Guinea , Liberia and Sierra Leone); Considering the negative impact of the epidemic on economic activities, foreign direct investment flows, tourism revenues, export earnings, tax revenues and macroeconomic stability; 1. AWARE that the mechanisms of debt constitute an obstacle to the achievement of Post-2015 Development Agenda expressed in our Common African Position with a view to building a democratic, peaceful and prosperous continent where growth is inclusive and sustainable for the benefit of our people; 2. EXPRESS our profound solidarity to the governments and people of countries hardly affected with regards to the deterioration of their economic, financial and social conditions; 3. REITERATE our call to bilateral and multilateral creditors for the complete and unconditional cancellation of the external debt that impedes the progress of affected countries towards inclusive and sustainable growth trajectory in support of the effective expression of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural aspects of their people; 4. URGE the Commission to work closely with the concerned countries for a comprehensive assessment of their external debts in order to estimate its amount and identify their creditors; 5. URGE the Commission to set up a High Level Contact Group composed of Member States, the Commission, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and to work closely with creditors for the negotiation of the terms of the debt cancellation in affected countries; 6. REQUEST the High Level Contact Group to submit its report in our Twenty-Fifth Ordinary session; 7. DECIDE to remain actively seized of the matter.