World Health Organisation slammed as ‘ridiculous’ for naming Robert Mugabe a goodwill ambassador

CANADIAN prime minister Justin Trudeau has slammed the appointment of the Zimbabwean leader to a key position as “absolutely unacceptable”.

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe is to become a goodwill ambassador for the World Health Organization. Picture: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe

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

“When I heard of Robert Mugabe’s appointment ... quite frankly, I thought it was a bad April fool’s joke,” Justin Trudeau said during a press briefing.

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

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attacked the decision to appoint the controversial leader to a key role. Picture: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the UN health agency, this week asked Zimbabwe’s 93-year-old authoritarian leader to serve in the role to help tackle non-communicable diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and asthma across Africa.

The decision triggered confusion and anger among key WHO member states and activists who noted that Zimbabwe’s health care system, like many of its public services, has collapsed under Mugabe’s regime.

Faced with a barrage of criticism over the appointment, Ghebreyesus said Saturday that he was “rethinking” his decision.