Robert Mugabe has been controversially appointed as health ambassador for the World Health Organisation.
The 93-year-old president of Zimbabwe – who oversaw plummeting life expectancy in his own country – will supposedly co-ordinate the United Nations organisation’s battle against heart disease, cancer and diabetes across Africa.
The role – which comes with the title of ‘WHO goodwill ambassador’ – will be to encourage African governments to introduce policies to reduce smoking and drinking, improve diets and increase exercise.
Walter Mzembi, Zimbabwe’s foreign affairs minister, said the appointment was a ‘major diplomacy coup’ for the country and claimed Mugabe is ‘very passionate about non-communicable diseases’.
