NO GOODWILL FOR MUGABE’S ‘RIDICULOUS’ WHO ROLE

THE appointment of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador for the World Health Organisation is “absolutely unacceptable” and “ridiculous”, Canada’s premier has said.

“When I heard of Robert Mugabe’s appointment ... quite frankly I thought it was a bad April Fool’s joke,” Justin Trudeau said at the weekend.

“It is absolutely unacceptable and inconceivable this individual would have a role as a goodwill ambassador for any organisation, much less the World Health Organisation.”

The foreign ministry later called for the appointment to be “rescinded without delay”.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the UN health agency, last week asked Zimbabwe’s 93year-old authoritarian leader to serve in the role to help tackle non-communicable diseases across Africa. The decision triggered anger given Zimbabwe’s health care system has collapsed under Mugabe’s regime.

Mr Ghebreyesus has said he is “rethinking” his decision.

Picture: AP Authoritarian Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe’s appointment as a WHO goodwill ambassador has sparked incredulous condemnation.