On the phone, from the garden of his London home, Claude Makélélé speaks in his soft voice, in the middle of the song of birds. At 47, the former footballer, captain of PSG and vice-world champion in 2006, agreed to discuss his last engagement.
He launched a call for donations on the GoFundMe platform to finance research on Artemisia annua, the annual sagebrush. This plant, already used against malaria, could also have virtues against Covid-19. The WHO (World Health Organization), which does not recognize its effectiveness, advocates scientific studies but does not offer funding. Claude Makélélé also evokes the anti-racist movements which are multiplying and confides his faith in the youth who revolt.
Why did you get involved in the development of Artemisia?
CLAUDE MAKÉLÉLÉ. I was convinced by the approach of Doctor Jérôme Munyangi (Editor's note: the Congolese doctor who conducts part of the scientific research on Artemisia annua) . I could only support it, because it is fought from right to left by systems. And I'm smart enough to understand why. We have to get in the way somewhere. However, he does things simply so that the world can have a chance to heal themselves naturally. It is a very deep issue. I react naturally, as a human.
#ArtemisiaForAfrica 🌿🌿
Sportsmen, artists, doctors .... get involved alongside #ClaudeMakelele, #LilianThuram #BlaiseMatuidi #DieumerciMbokani, #EstherKamatari ... to advance research #Artemisia vs # Covid_19 🌿🌿
👉https: / /t.co/yVsvsesq8G pic.twitter.com/SexRG10pPe
Are you convinced of the virtues of Artemisia?
This plant is extraordinary. It is a natural gift. And if someone wants to develop this, well you have to give them a hand. In Africa, many people die from certain types of diseases which one does not die in Europe. The Chinese have used this plant for centuries (Editor's note: under the name of Chinese absinthe) . There is a reason. So why would you want to turn off what works?
You have a great team, including the support of Blaise Matuidi and Lilian Thuram…
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Yes, they are sensible people. They know. I don't need to tell you about it. They are people who always fight a lot of things in the world, injustice… And when I spoke to them about it, they found it natural to participate.
And for you, what does this commitment mean?
I think that when you do something, it is to give from the bottom of my heart. I'm not cheating. I do not use this platform for myself but to give a helping hand to many people who deserve to be able to treat themselves.
Is there not a paradox between the ease of access to this plant and the absence of investments from the pharmaceutical industry?
Yes, exactly! Here. For a large laboratory, it's a budget of nothing at all! While the truth is in this plant.
What do you think about the news in the fight against racism?
People wake up. Why now? That's the question.
Do you mean "only" now?
Here. Because it does not date from today, all that. We could have anticipated these things. Afterwards, better late than never. But it is devastating. It destroys human relationships in general in the world. Too bad.
Have you suffered from racism?
I have been through all of this in my life. And I will always be confronted with that because it is something anchored in humanity. So it's just a matter of education. But it may be this young generation that will change all these things. Because she doesn't want that anymore. She is capable of many things. But it's up to us to open the door for him.
Are you moved by this movement?
No. I will be moved the day there is a change. But optimistic, yes.
What does it take for it to succeed?
The future will tell. But every act for a change has consequences. So it has to happen naturally. By being patient. Here. Patience. The problem is, how long will it take? We don't want it to take centuries and centuries!
VIDEO. LFP clip against racism in football
Does it involve speaking?
By action. But not in aggressiveness. The conscience action of people who can make a difference. Let them know that they have exceeded a limit and say to themselves: I am going to stop.
What is the place of Artemisia in the middle of this?
It is there, between everything that is happening. But others will come behind. It's going to be an accumulation of matter. We will have to make a decision because at some point, it will explode!
How do you follow all the news?
I try to look less at these things. I don't need to look to know that it exists. But it's shocking. I do not want to accumulate all this negativity and that it derails my brain. But I am not surprised.
Do you miss football?
We never stopped working at Chelsea (note: he is the technical advisor for the young teams of the English club) . Afterwards, all of society adapted to the coronavirus crisis, and so did football. We do not have a choice.