This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 7, 2020, Tanzania's President John Pombe Magufuli made headlines by declaring the country 'coronavirus-free' and crediting the prayers of its citizens for the supposed elimination of the disease.
Speaking at a church service in Dodoma, the capital city, President Magufuli stated, 'The corona disease has been eliminated thanks to God.'
Magufuli's declaration comes amidst a global pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives and infected millions worldwide. The Tanzanian government had previously reported 509 cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths as of April 29, 2020, but had stopped publishing data on the status of coronavirus cases in the country.
The President's stance on the pandemic has been at odds with world health authorities and other leaders, who have urged caution and adherence to public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.
Magufuli's remarks were met with applause and celebratory ululation from the worshippers, who were also commended by the President for not wearing gloves and masks to protect themselves from the virus.
Despite the President's declaration, the global community remains skeptical about the accuracy of the claim, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has not recognized Tanzania as a 'coronavirus-free' country.
