In hope of saving battered image, spokesman says Mugabe never officially appointed as WHO ambassador

George Charamba, spokesman for Africa’s longest serving leader, Robert Mugabe, insisted during an interview that his boss was never officially asked to take up the controversial ambassadorial role.

Charamba also told The Herald, a state-run newspaper, during the interview that Mugabe would have turned down the role anyway days after the 93-year-old president was stripped off the ceremonial post to help in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa.

“There was nothing, whether verbal or written, from the WHO intimating that WHO wished to make the President a goodwill ambassador in respect of NCDs.

“As a matter of fact, had anything been put to the President in the direction of helping WHO by the way of being a goodwill ambassador, the President would have found such a request to be an awkward one,” said Charamba.

Days after Mugabe was appointed by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the UN health agency, the decision was rescinded following widespread criticism by WHO member states and human rights groups.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Ghebreyesus said that he had listened to those expressing concerns coupled with the confusion and anger among key WHO member states and opposition figures in Zimbabwe.

“Over the last few days, I have reflected on my appointment of H.E. President Robert Mugabe as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for NCDs in Africa. As a result I have decided to rescind the appointment,” Tedros posted on his Twitter account @DrTedros.

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