ESAT News (May 22, 2017)
“No Tedros, No Tedros,” shouts an Ethiopian activist from the press gallery at the annual World Health Organization assembly, while his compatriots hold a huge rally outside the Palace of Nations in Geneva.
“It is a travesty! Africa think again!” says activist Zelalem Tesema at the opening of the WHO assembly that will vote for the next director general.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom, one of the three finalists for the post has faced a relentless campaign by Ethiopians against his bid for the top post of the world’s health agency.
Ethiopians in their social media campaign say Dr. Tedros, as a member of the Ethiopian clique that rules with iron fist, is responsible for human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings and hence has no integrity to lead the WHO. he is also accused of misappropriation of funds for the prevention of HIV, TB and malaria.
International health experts also object his candidacy due to his indifference, while he was the minister of health, when the his government made multi million dollars deal with transnational tobacco companies. He also stands accused of covering up a series of cholera epidemics, a scourge still threatening the lives of millions of Ethiopians.