Titi Camara Raises Concerns About Ebola Origins and Calls for Caution Over AFCON
Former Guinean international and ex-Minister of Sports, Titi Camara, has made controversial remarks regarding the origins of the Ebola outbreak that devastated parts of West Africa, and voiced strong opinions on the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) being held amid the crisis.
🗣️ Camara’s Claims on Ebola
Speaking from Doha during the “Doha Goals” forum, Titi Camara suggested a conspiracy theory around the deadly virus, which has claimed over 40,000 lives, primarily in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia:
“Ebola is a dangerous disease… For me, there are doubts; it may have been white people who transmitted this virus in Guinea.”
He also questioned the role of local laboratories:
“There is a laboratory between Guinea and Sierra Leone that has not detected this virus. There is mystery in this affair.”
These remarks echo some of the public mistrust that has surfaced in affected regions, although there is no scientific evidence to support such claims.
🗓️ On the 2015 AFCON: “Health Comes First”
In the same interview, Camara urged CAF (Confederation of African Football) to postpone the 2015 AFCON, siding with Morocco’s health concerns over Ebola:
“Postponing the CAN will be a very good thing… The health and interests of Africa come before any consideration.”
He warned of potential catastrophe if the tournament proceeds amid an epidemic:
“Imagine if a supporter dies in the stands — it will be a tragedy, and the fans may ignore the tournament.”
⚖️ Balancing Sports and Safety
Camara’s words underline the tension between sporting continuity and public health safety. While CAF has decided to maintain the tournament’s schedule, his comments reflect a wider debate on whether African football should have paused to prioritize containment and care during a continental health emergency.
As the AFCON approaches, his message is clear:
“The CAN is a spectacle for the continent’s youth, but lives come first.”
