The World Health Organization this week named Zimbabwe's controversial longtime President Robert Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador -- provoking criticism from those who say the move is embarrassing and concerning. Mugabe has been a major political force in Zimbabwe since 1980, serving as president and prime minister after winning a number of elections many considered dubious.
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control names Mugabe on its sanction list and the European Union decided earlier this year to renew sanctions against the leader. Movement for Democratic Change, Zimbabwe's main opposition party, described the WHO appointment as "laughable".
Spokesman Obert Gutu said: "The Zimbabwe health delivery system is in a shambolic state. It is an insult.
"Mugabe trashed our health delivery system. He and his family go outside of the country for treatment in Singapore after he allowed our public hospitals to collapse."
The British government described Mr Mugabe's appointment as "surprising and disappointing, particularly in light of the current US and EU sanctions against him".
It said it had raised its concerns with Dr Tedros, adding: "Although Mugabe will not have an executive role, his appointment risks overshadowing the work undertaken globally by the WHO on Non-Communicable Diseases."
Tom Tugendhat MP, chair of the foreign affairs committee, said Mr Mugabe's "version of goodwill is corruption, murder, and dictatorship".
Defending his decision, Dr Tedros said Mr Mugabe could use the role "to influence his peers in his region".
In his speech, Dr Tedros described Zimbabwe as "a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at the centre of its policies to provide health care to all".
Hillel Neuer, executive director of the Geneva-based group UN watch described the choice by WHO, a UN agency as “sickening”.
