WHO cancels Robert Mugabe goodwill ambassador role
The World Health Organization has
revoked the appointment of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe as a goodwill
ambassador following a widespread outcry.
"I have listened carefully to all who have expressed their concerns," WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.
He had previously praised Zimbabwe for its commitment to public health.
But critics pointed out that Zimbabwe's healthcare system had collapsed under Mr Mugabe's 30-year rule.
Staff
often go without pay, medicines are in short supply, and Mr Mugabe, who
has outlived the average life expectancy in his country by three
decades, travels abroad for medical treatment.
Mr Tedros said he had consulted with the Zimbabwean government
and decided that rescinding Mr Mugabe's position was "in the best
interests of" the WHO.
He said he remained "firmly committed to working with all countries and their leaders" to build universal health care.
Mr
Tedros, elected in May under the slogan "let's prove the impossible is
possible" had said he hoped Mr Mugabe would use his goodwill ambassador
role to "influence his peers in the region".
But the appointment
was met by a wave of surprise and condemnation. The UK government, the
Canadian prime minister, the Wellcome Trust, the NCD Alliance, UN Watch,
the World Heart Federation, Action Against Smoking and Zimbabwean
lawyers and social media users were among those who criticised the
decision.
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg reports that Mr
Mugabe's supporters are likely to see this episode as Western meddling
in Africa.
BBC
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