Ethiopian Ambassador accuses WHO chief of advancing political interest
In a Geneva conference on Monday, the Ethiopian Ambassador to the UN has accused WHO chief Tedros of "using his office to advance his personal political interest."
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Zenebe Kebede Korcho, Ethiopian Ambassador.
During the World Health Organization's executive board meeting in Geneva on Monday, WHO Director-General made some statements that angered Ethiopia's Ambassador.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General, according to the Ethiopian Ambassador, "has not lived up to the integrity and the professional expectations required from his office and position."
Zenebe Kebede Korcho accused Ghebreyesus of "using his office to advance his personal political interest at the expense of the interest of Ethiopia," he said in a meeting between countries serving on the UN health agency's executive board.
Tedros was a former health and foreign affairs minister in Ethiopia. Furthermore, he has become more and more vocal of his criticism of the conflict, particularly regarding the government's actions and approaches.
Earlier this month, the WHO chief described the conditions in Tigray as "hell", saying that the government has been preventing medicine and other life-saving aid from reaching civilians.
Tedros was initially nominated as WHO chief by the Ethiopian government - however, now, the government is warning that his comments are threatening the WHO's professional integrity. Addis Ababa sent a "note verbale" request demanding that the WHO investigate Tedros for "misconduct and violation of his professional and legal responsibility."
The government accused Tedros of supporting the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
When the UN health agency's executive board launched its meeting, which will see a vote on whether Tedros will assume another 5 years, it decided not to include Ethiopia's note verbale on the agenda.
Kebede Korcho was cut off before he could continue voicing his country's criticism of the WHO chief.
The Executive Board President, Patrick Amoth of Kenya, first warned him he would need to "refrain from further remarks that are irrelevant to the subject under discussion," and when the Ambassador continued along the same line, his video feed was cut off.
