GENEVA: Shock and condemnation continued on Saturday after Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe was named a “goodwill ambassador” for the World Health Organisation (WHO) by the agency’s first African leader, with the United States calling it “disappointing”.

The 93-year-old Mugabe, the world’s oldest head of state, has long been criticised at home for going overseas for medical treatment as Zimbabwe’s once-prosperous economy falls apart. Mugabe also faces US sanctions over his government’s human rights abuses.

“This appointment clearly contradicts the United Nations ideals of respect for human rights and human dignity,” the US State Department said.

“The decision to appoint Robert Mugabe as a WHO goodwill ambassador is dee­p­ly disappointing and wro­ng,” said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, a major British charitable foundation. “Robert Mugabe fails in every way to represent the values WHO should stand for.”

Ireland’s health minister, Simon Harris, called the appointment “offensive, bizarre.”

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Increased inflows
Updated 12 Jan, 2025

Increased inflows

Govt must devise a strategy to increase industrial and agricultural productivity to boost exports and reduce reliance on uncertain remittances.
Gwadar’s potential
12 Jan, 2025

Gwadar’s potential

THE Gwadar deep-sea port, completed in 2007, was supposed to be a shining success for the other newly built ports in...
Broken metropolis
12 Jan, 2025

Broken metropolis

KARACHI, Pakistan’s economic juggernaut, is the largest contributor to the nation’s tax revenue. The Federal...
Afghan outreach
Updated 11 Jan, 2025

Afghan outreach

Islamabad should stress stronger counterterrorism measures, yet also engage the Taliban high command in Kandahar as well as politicians in Kabul.
Fragile recovery
11 Jan, 2025

Fragile recovery

STATE Bank Governor Jameel Ahmed appears to be quite optimistic over recent economic gains. That is not unusual;...
Destination Europe
11 Jan, 2025

Destination Europe

THE country’s aviation authorities can rest a little easy. After a four-year banishment from European skies,...