World Health Organization revokes appointment of Robert Mugabe

JOHANNESBURG — The head of the UN health agency has revoked his appointment of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe as a “goodwill ambassador” after the choice drew widespread criticism.

World Health Organization director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus last week told a conference in Uruguay on noncommunicable diseases that Mugabe had agreed to be a “goodwill ambassador” on the issue.

The United States, Canada and a host of other countries, health and human rights leaders criticized the appointment of Mugabe, who has been long been accused of human rights violations.

“Quite frankly I thought it was a bad April Fool’s joke,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday. “It is absolutely unacceptable, absolutely inconceivable that his individual would have a role as a goodwill ambassador.”

In addition to human rights abuses, the 93year-old Mugabe has also come under fire for frequently going overseas for medical treatment, costing the impoverished African nation millions of dollars.

Tedros said in a statement Sunday that he had “reflected” over the past few days after a flood of outrage and concern was voiced by international leaders and health experts on Mugabe’s appointment. “As a result I have decided to rescind the appointment,” he said in a statement. He said he revoked Mugabe’s position in the best interests of the World Health Organization.