The head of the World Health Organisation on Sunday reversed his decision to name Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador, following widespread uproar.
“Over the last few days, I have reflected on my appointment of H.E. President Robert Mugabe as WHO goodwill ambassador for (non-communicable diseases) in Africa ... I have decided to rescind the appointment” the head of the UN agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a statement.
Mr Tedros, who took charge of WHO in July, said he had “listened carefully” to those who condemned the decision and spoken to the Harare government.
Mr Tedros had praised Zimbabwe as “a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at the centre of its policies”. But activists and key WHO donors like the UK and the US denounced the move saying Zimbabwe’s healthcare has collapsed under Mr Mugabe’s 37 years of authoritarian rule.
