WHO representative asked to leave Equatorial Guinea

Triphonie Nkurunziza, the World Health Organization's country head of office for Equatorial Guinea, has been asked to leave the country as soon as possible. According to Matshidiso Moet, WHO regional director for Africa, Equatorial Guinea's Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation asked WHO to replace its representative in the Central African nation of over 1.2 million people.

"The government of Equatorial Guinea has asked WHO to replace its country representative Triphonie Nkurunziza without giving details on why. We are currently working to resolve the situation. I would like to emphasize that we are committed to working with the government, particularly working to support the people," Moet said on Thursday.

However, in a statement shared on WHO's website, the health body said that WHO has every confidence in Nkurunziza's competence, commitment and integrity.

"Nkurunziza is an experienced health expert, leader and manager who led the regional office's maternal health program for many years and has served as minister of health in her own country. She has been leading WHO's work in Equatorial Guinea, including support to the coronavirus response," WHO said.

While appearing before the country's Senate last month, Pascual Asue, Equatorial Guinea's prime minister, accused Nkurunziza of falsifying the country's coronavirus case figures. However, in their statement, WHO denied the claims.

"There has been a misunderstanding over data, which WHO offered to clarify. WHO wishes to state that Nkurunziza did not falsify coronavirus figures," WHO said.

However, the world health body said it will continue to support Equatorial Guinea and the people of all member states in the coronavirus response, as well as on other priority health issues in line with the International Health regulations.

In May, Burundi also ordered WHO officials to leave the country following a disagreement over their reporting on the coronavirus pandemic in the East African country.