Madagascar’s Presidency has denied claims that President Andry Rajoelina accused the World Health Organization (WHO) of offering a $20 million bribe to poison its herbal remedy for Covid-19.
A couple of news outlets in Tanzania this month published the said allegation, claiming the comments were made during an interview with TV channel France 24.
Many news portals have continued to republish the said false article but there is no evidence Rajoelina made such comments.
Madagascar’s president launched the Covid-Organics in April and touted it as cure and treatment for Coronavirus.
The WHO warned people against “adopting a product that has not been taken through tests to see its efficacy” while the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has said the herbal drink should be “tested rigorously”.
President Rajoelina has always defended the herbal remedy and this month announced that he would be signing a confidentiality clause with the WHO on the tonic.
A spokesman for the Madagascan presidency said since the launch of the herbal remedy many falsehoods have been pushed against Madagascar and its leader.
Lova Ranoramoro, director of the presidential office, told AFP that “the Madagascan presidency absolutely denies all these allegations.”
“Since the launch of the Covid-Organics remedy, many words have been falsely attributed to President Andry Rajoelina,” She added.
There have been previous false claims that China and the United States also offered the Madagascan president “many millions” to poison the Covid-Organics remedy.
Source: Africafeeds.com
