POLITICS
MADAGASCAR: Andry Rajoelina: “No one can stop us from helping our people”
It was an unprecedented interview that Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina granted to the channel France 24 and RFI. The head of state defended the Covid-organics, a preventive remedy against coronavirus. This remedy is already distributed in twenty African countries such as Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea or Congo. This tribune, guided by journalists Christophe Boisbouvier and Marc Perelman, enabled President Rajoelina to defend his discovery based on artemisia and traditional medicinal plants.
To the question: “… Madagascar is distinguished by the use of Covid-Organics, a remedy based on artemisia, a plant with a recognized therapeutic effect against malaria. You have already sent it to several African countries, but do you have any proof that it works at home, that it heals people from Covid-19?” , the President replied: “In fact, we did launch this remedy based on Malagasy medicinal plants. It should be noted that in Madagascar, we are used to and 80% of the population is treated through the medicinal remedy. That said, Covid-Organics is obviously a preventive and curative remedy against Covid-19 that works very well. Moreover, it is the result of research carried out by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research [Imra], which has the status of regional research center recognized by the African Union. I just want to clarify that Imra is a medical and pharmaceutical research and training centre, founded in 1957 by Professor Rakoto Ratsimamanga, who is a distinguished figure in African science.
You talk about “evidence” and I talked about “war” earlier. The global situation shows that there are almost 300,000 deaths today. Does this allow us to ignore a possibility of treatment?And when we are also in a period of war, what is the proof that can be demonstrated and that we can currently provide? This is of course the cure of our patients, because it should be noted that today, in Madagascar, we had 171 cases, including 105 cured. And most of these coronavirus patients have been cured, and you’re telling me about evidence. As proof, I want to tell you that the patients who were cured took only this product of Covid-Organics [also called Tambavy CVO]. In summary, a significant improvement in the health status of patients who received Tambavy CVO was observed within 24 hours of the first Tambavy CVO. The cure was found after seven days or even ten days of taking Tambavy CVO. This remedy is natural, non-toxic and non-invasive.”
WHO doubts the effectiveness of Covid-Organics
The question of WHO’s doubts was addressed by the journalist. The response of the Malagasy president was not long in coming: “You are obviously quoting me the warning of Doctor [Matshidiso] Moeti, who warns against the use of Covid-Organics. I would just like to ask the question: had the Mediator [antidiabetic drug responsible for the death of patients in France] received and obtained the authorizations? And the question I’m asking today is, how many people have died from Mediator? Like everyone else, you are familiar with Professor Bernard Debré’s statement and that of Philippe Even. They presented almost 58 drugs manufactured by prestigious laboratories that not only fail to treat, but in their own words, are “dangerous” and “deadly”.
These drugs have been and are being distributed in Africa, and I have never heard Dr. Moeti or the WHO make a statement that does not allow these drugs to be taken. Now, as I said earlier, we use decoction. When we talk about decoction, it is a method, it is the action of boiling in the water of medicinal plants for the extraction of the active ingredients. It is our traditional medicine that is known and recognized for its effects. There’s a lot of talk in this artemisia remedy. You asked me today, but I still have a question to ask you: if it wasn’t Madagascar, but if it were a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so many doubts? I don’t think so. What I can tell you today is that the case of the patients in Madagascar and also those who took these drugs, in fact today this Tambavy CVO or this decoction, we have had evidence that we have treated our patients so far.”
Malagasy clinical observations vs Clinical trials requested by WHO
The doubts expressed by the World Health Organization came back regularly in the exchange. President Andry Rajoealina replied to this effect: “There are two things. We must not confuse. We have a number of protocols in place. First, like every country in the world, we are dealing with this pandemic. We are obliged to find a solution to cure the sick. And when Professor [Didier] Raoult announced the efficacy of chloroquine and azithromycin, we used it, and I would like to thank him here because, without his proposed solution, we could not have saved the first victims of the coronavirus.
After that, we all know that high doses of chloroquine have side effects and undesirable effects. This treatment has presented risks of toxicity and requires greater clinical monitoring.The second protocol we adopted was the Tambavy CVO or the decoction that I announced earlier, following the principles of clinical studies and observations following the recommendations of the WHO. The vast majority of new patients who have taken this decoction have been observed, and of course the result is there. There are no deaths in Madagascar right now. All we’ve done is cure our patients. But you talked earlier about clinical trials. Of course, we have a third protocol and a clinical trial on an injection drug, which is different from what we’re proposing right now. This is part of regional cooperation and in collaboration with doctors and scientists in the United States, and of course in the Indian Ocean. ‘
“No one can stop us from helping our people”
But nothing prevents us from moving forward either a country or an organization. You mentioned a few organizations earlier, such as the World Health Organization. “We” is us, Madagascar, with our decoction that we are [doing] and no one can stop us. We are a sovereign country and we are there to help our people, our people, so that we are not really victims or die from this pandemic.
«The problem with Covid-Organics is that it comes from Africa»
The composition of the Covid-Organics was raised by journalists. The Malagasy president, for his part, recalled that the remedy contains 62% artemisia and Malagasy medicinal plants but did not want to give the components of the remedy: We have our formula, we work with IMRA and I want to show you the Madecassol, which is produced today by the company Bayer that makes quite a lot of drugs. It’s a product of IMRA research. It’s a drug that was concocted in 1961.
We must not underestimate African scientists, Malagasy scientists. I think the problem with Covid-Organics is that it comes from Africa. We cannot admit, we cannot accept that a country like Madagascar has put in place this formula, this tambavy to save the world. It is a war, but it is not the military force or the economic power that is currently playing but God. And the Lord
POLITICS
SENEGAL Moussa Tine: “We launch a solemn appeal to the diaspora for the International Exhibition of Investment of the African Diaspora – SIDIA
Exclusive interview with Moussa Tine, the Director General of Urbanism and Habit. From September 26 to 28, 2025, at the Domaine de Choully, Africa – and particularly Senegal goes to meet its diaspora. For three days, the event will bring together several hundred entrepreneurs, including 30 from Senegal, investors, policy makers and artists. It is an unprecedented exhibition that brings together strategic sectors such as housing, agriculture, but also industry and commerce.
Why involve the diaspora and why organize this International Diaspora Investment Fair? Why this fair?
This exhibition today is a moment of exchange, an indispensable meeting point for government policy and particularly the policy of these three sectors, namely housing, construction, agriculture, industry and commerce. It is these three ministries that bring together their strategies, their strengths, to go out to meet the diaspora. The diaspora plays a decisive, extremely important role in the country’s economy and in its socio-economic stability. It is an important moment, a decisive moment, a moment that will also help us to financially complete a number of projects that are underway, but also to give the opportunity to the nationals of the diaspora to contribute to the development of their country. Each ministry today develops projects and this fair is an opportunity to give the diaspora the necessary information, either to integrate these projects or to collaborate with the State in the context of public-private partnerships or direct investments under the auspices of the State. Here is, in a global manner, the object of the exhibition. Today, this the exhibition is a decisive moment, an important one, with challenges defined across the three sectors I have just mentioned.
Thus, what is the economic weight of the diaspora?
The weight of the diaspora is well established. Today, it plays a decisive role in our economy. The diaspora is strong and economically involved, not only in a family way, but also through local and international initiatives. Therefore, involving the diaspora means redefining its role in a strategic way, which must no longer be limited to family support but contribute directly to the development of the country. This can be done through financial investment projects through programmes structured by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Spatial Planning. I take the example of the PNALRU (National Program for Access to Housing), a project designed and led by the Ministry of Urbanism. We know that most of our fellow citizens in the diaspora have a house or housing project because they want to invest in their home. But often, they do not have the necessary information to do it in a secure way, nor quality support. Projects like the PNALRU offer a secure framework at the level of land, construction, but also marketing, in a transparent manner. These are projects that the State has implemented and which allow the diaspora to have easier access to land, and to participate directly in the national economy. The diaspora complains about not having enough information on state initiatives. This exhibition is a way to reach out to her, to provide as much information as possible about ongoing projects and integration modalities. We know that a part of the diaspora already has the initiative to return or to work in collaboration with the State. This show will therefore be a B2B meeting, a space where the diaspora and the State will be able to meet, establish collaborative relationships, and create what I often call a “return ticket”, that is to say an opportunity for many Senegalese to prepare for a secure and planned return.
Mr. Director, what is the direct message you send to the diaspora, especially to that of Geneva, because the exhibition will take place there?
Yes, the exhibition will be held in Geneva. This choice does not come by chance. Geneva is a financial capital and a business hub. Organizing it there highlights a decisive point in the outcome of projects: the financial dimension and the technical dimension. The objective is that from this exhibition, not only do we provide the necessary information to the diaspora, but also that we mobilize its capital to encourage it to invest in real estate, agriculture and industry. Each ministry will present development projects that the diaspora can appropriate, whether in housing, agriculture or industry. These sectors are linked: industry supports habitat, habitat needs building materials, and agriculture requires infrastructure. This sectoral transversality will allow for maximum opportunities to be created for the diaspora. In Geneva, for three days, we will have exchanges, panels, permanent exhibitions (more than 30 planned), and B2B meetings between the state, professionals, the diaspora, and the private sector. The aim is to mobilize investors, experts and promoters to implement joint projects.
Who are the partners of this project?
In Senegal, we have the Ministry of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities and Spatial Planning, which leads, with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Agriculture as co-organizers. We also work in partnership with Me Events, a structure specialized in the organization of events, and with partners in Geneva, such as the African Village Association and Afrique Néon.
Mr. Director, to conclude, what message do you want to send to the Senegalese in the diaspora?
I take this opportunity to make a solemn appeal to all our fellow citizens of the diaspora. This exhibition is made for you. Its objective is clear: to mobilize the diaspora, not only for its expertise, but also for its investments. Invest in yourself. Invest in Senegal. Invest in Africa. This fair is yours, make it your own, and make it a channel for communication and development. The success of this exhibition will be the success of the national policy towards the diaspora. Senegal comes to you, your country comes to you, in order to discuss your projects and those we develop here. Come in large numbers, because together we can ensure inclusive development where every contribution counts. Thank you and I hope to see you very soon at the Geneva exhibition, from September 26 to 28.
Initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the major march of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the main opposition party in Côte d’Ivoire, will finally take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This postponement was announced by the party’s Executive Secretary, who points out that the decision came after discussions between the PDCI leadership and the authorities of the Abidjan department. The details of these discussions have not been made public.
This demonstration, highly anticipated by the party’s activists and supporters, aims to support the candidacy of its president, Tidjane Thiam, in the presidential election of 2025, and to protest against his removal from the electoral list. A decision that the party qualifies as unfair and unacceptable, arguing for the right of all Ivorian citizens, including those with dual nationality, to participate in the political life of the country.
The route of the march remains unchanged: the protesters will leave from the SOCOCE space of the 2 Plateaux, in the municipality of Cocody, to head towards the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). The party calls for a strong peaceful mobilization in order to convey a clear message: demand inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections.
The removal of Tidjane Thiam and other opposition figures is mainly based on the issue of dual nationality, a legal provision that continues to be debated as the election approaches. The PDCI, which sees in Thiam a rally candidate capable of unifying the Ivorians, intends to make this march a highlight of its campaign and its democratic fight.
Photo credit: Tidiane Thiam page
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Morissanda Kouyaté, received this Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Conakry a delegation from the African Union, on an official visit to Guinea. On this occasion, he reaffirmed the commitment of the transitional authorities to respect the deadlines set for the return to constitutional order, while stressing the historical and central role of Guinea in the construction of the Pan-African project.
« I am very happy. The African Union is at Guinea’s side to accompany and support the vision of the head of state, President Mamadi Doumbouya, in favor of Guinea and Africa, in the political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural fields, declared the head of Guinean diplomacy.
This meeting takes place in a context marked by the preparations for the constitutional referendum scheduled for next September 21.
Morissanda Kouyaté also recalled the founding involvement of Guinea in the creation of the Organization of African Unity, which became the African Union. “This visit materializes the commitment of the Peace and Security Council to accompany Guinea in a dynamic of ambitious political and diplomatic transformation,” he stressed.
The minister indicated that all actions related to the transition are currently funded by the national development budget, while calling for a broader mobilization of the international community. “We have requested a round table, called the Basketfront, to seek support to speed up the process. But this does not mean that we will give up,” he said, reiterating President Doumbouya’s willingness to scrupulously respect the scheduled deadlines.
He finally wanted to reassure on the efforts made to ensure an inclusive electoral process. “We are going through a difficult period, and that is why we want all Guineans to be registered in order to obtain a reliable electoral roll,” concluded Morissanda Kouyaté.
Source: guinee360 / Photo credit: Page Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guinea
