Hollande to Visit Guinea, Seeks to Pledge Solidarity in Fight Against Ebola

Hollande is expected to arrive in the country’s capital Conakry on Friday, November 28, bearing a “message of solidarity” to the people of Guinea.

MOSCOW, November 28 (Sputnik) — France’s President Francois Hollande is about to become the first Western leader to visit Guinea since the country was struck by an outbreak of the Ebola virus, the BBC reports.

He is expected to arrive in the country’s capital Conakry on Friday, November 28, bearing a “message of solidarity” to the people of Guinea.

According to Deutsche Welle, Hollande will visit healthcare facilities and participate in a round-table discussion on the current outbreak. He will also hold talks with Guinean President Alpha Conde. Following his visit to the former French colony, Hollande is scheduled to travel to Senegal to participate in the 15th Francophonie Summit, which will also be attended by Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada.

France has pledged $125 million to help deal with the virus, according to the BBC. Furthermore, Paris intends to provide Guinea with mobile clinics and funding for 200 beds for Ebola patients.

However, the international aid efforts in Guinea continue to be plagued by poor coordination which hampers attempts to stop the virus, AP points out.

About 5,700 people have been killed by the contagion so far throughout West Africa. The highest death toll was recorded in Liberia, while the fastest rate of expansion was detected in Sierra Leone. According to AP, the outbreak in Guinea appears to be less urgent than those in the two aforementioned countries.