Reality check on Mugabe envoy post

In what can only be described as a mighty cock-up, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe held an honorary ambassadorial honour for barely four days as of early last week.

Mid-previous week at the meeting of the World Health Organization, WHO, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus appointed President Mugabe as Africa’s “goodwill ambassador” for non-communicable diseases, NCD. These are those like cancer, diabetes—anyone can cuddle the patient without being infected.

The Ethiopian physician and former health minister, Ghebreyesus took helm in July. He’s the first African to do so. The organisation also happens to be very active on the continent.

Making the announcement, Dr Ghebreyesus described Zimbabwe, which Mr Mugabe, approaching 94 years, has governed since 1980, as “a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at the centre of its polices.” Wow!

SENIOR LEADERS

Additionally, Mugabe could use the role “to influence his peers in his region” on the issue.

A separate WHO statement said the appointment was in line with Ghebreyesus’ desire to engage senior leaders in the organization’s activities.

The Zimbabwe Herald, state-owned, hailed the appointment as “another feather” on Mugabe’s cap.

What the newspaper didn’t say but plausible was that Mugabe, who is subject to sanctions, including a travel ban, by the US and the European Union could use the position to visit those countries on behalf of the continent’s efforts to fight NCD.

The newspaper’s praise was premature. As The Washington Post put it, the appointment raised the question: Can you be a “goodwill ambassador” if the world widely regards you as a violent, tyrannical despot?

The Non-communicable Diseases Alliance members were “shocked and deeply concerned to hear of this appointed…” and outright rejected Mugabe as a “goodwill ambassador.”

The alliance tossed in “Mugabe’s long track record of human human-rights violations and undermining the dignity of human beings.” 

JOKE

Many others, organizations, leaders, civic groups, et al, followed. For example: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reports on first hearing of the appointment he thought it was a bad April Fools joke. He described it as “unacceptable” and “ridiculous.” 

Samantha Powers, US ambassador to the UN under President Barak Obama, said the only the only health Mugabe has cared about was his own, a reference to the president and family’s foreign travels to seek medical treatment.

To his credit, Dr Ghebreyesus paid attention: I’m listening. I hear your concerns. Rethinking the approach in light of WHO values. I will issue a statement as soon as possible. He later withdrew the appointment, reportedly to the satisfaction of WHO and Zimbabwe.

UPROAR

Forgotten, in the midst of all this, was WHO’s initiative to combat NCD. Mugabe, who rarely misses international gatherings—he dozes but officially rests eyes—was the only African president present in Montevideo.

That though wasn’t a qualification for the appointment. WHO officials and Mugabe’s handlers should have anticipated the uproar. It’s common knowledge internationally, “Robert Mugabe” brand is long past use-by date. In the end, WHO and Mugabe were embarrassed, an avoidable cock-up.

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