Robert Mugabe Removed As WHO Goodwill Ambassador

The World Health Organization on Sunday rescinded its appointment of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador.

The United Nations agency on public health cited the outrage among rights groups and Western donors at Mugabe’s appointment for their decision to rescind.

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WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement said:

“Over the last few days, I have reflected on my appointment of H.E. President Robert Mugabe as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for NCDs (non-communicable diseases) in Africa. As a result, I have decided to rescind the appointment.”

“I have listened carefully to all who have expressed their concerns and heard the different issues that they have raised. I have also consulted with the Government of Zimbabwe and we have concluded that this decision is in the best interests of the World Health Organization.”

Tedros Adhanom had aounced Mugabe’s appointment to the ceremonial post on Wednesday at a conference in Uruguay on chronic diseases.

The WHO chief at the time praised Zimbabwe as “a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at the center of its policies to provide healthcare to all”.

Less than a day later, more than two dozen health organizations as well as countries like Britain, Canada, and the United States released statements condemning WHO’s decision.

Britain said Mugabe’s appointment as a goodwill ambassador was “surprising and disappointing” and that it risked overshadowing the WHO’s global work.

The United States pointed out Mugabe’s alleged human rights violations and electoral fraud in its statement noting disappointment in the decision.

Officials from the health organizations said they were “shocked and deeply concerned” as they also cited Mugabe’s record of human rights abuses, adding that Zimbabwe’s healthcare system has collapsed under his almost 30-year rule.

Reports also suggest that several former and current WHO staff had privately objected to the decision saying they were appalled at the “poor judgment” and “miscalculation” by the Director-General.

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Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Walter Muzembi accepted the decision to rescind but insisted that the WHO had “benefited tremendously” from nominating Mugabe and the media buzz it got on health issues.

He, however, reiterated that his country would continue to help the organization to work on its mandate as it also fulfills its membership obligations.

Tedros Adhanom was elected the first African head of the World Health Organization in May.

Mugabe was head of the African Union at the time when the bloc endorsed the former Ethiopian health and foreign minister over other African candidates for the top post.