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  World   Africa  23 Oct 2017  Robert Mugabe removed as WHO goodwill envoy for Africa

Robert Mugabe removed as WHO goodwill envoy for Africa

REUTERS
Published : Oct 23, 2017, 3:34 am IST
Updated : Oct 23, 2017, 3:34 am IST

Britain, Canada and the US swiftly denounced any prospective role for Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (Photo: AP)
 Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (Photo: AP)

Geneva: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been removed as a WHO goodwill ambassador, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Sunday following an outrage among donors and rights groups at his appointment.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who made the appointment at a high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Uruguay on Wednesday, said in a statement that he had listened to those expressing concerns.

“Over the last few days, I have reflected on my appointment of H.E. President Robert Mugabe as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for NCDs in  Africa. As a result I have decided to rescind the appointment,” Tedros said in a statement posted on his Twitter account @DrTedros.

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.

“We have concluded that this decision is in the best interests of the World Health Organization.”

Tedros had announced the appointment earlier this week during a speech in Uruguay. But activists, public health experts and key WHO donors like Britain, Canada and the United States swiftly denounced any prospective role for Mugabe, saying Zimbabwe’s healthcare system has collapsed under his 37 years of authoritarian rule.

Tags: robert mugabe, world health organisation, harare government