African presidents and Africa Union (AU) have shown their support to WHO after the verbal attack by the American president.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called the World Health Organization (WHO) and its leader Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus “exceptional” after US President Donald Trump criticized them. Trump tweeted Tuesday that the WHO is “very focused on China” when it is “largely” funded by the United States. He warned that he could stop supporting the World Health Organization.
Ramaphosa tweeted that the leadership of Dr. Tedros, who is originally from Ethiopia, during the Covid-19 pandemic was more than remarkable. “The most powerful weapon against # COVID19 and its devastating health, social and economic impact is international cooperation and solidarity”.
“This is why the exceptional leadership shown by WHO and Dr. Tedros on a daily basis during an unprecedented global public health crisis is more than remarkable.”
Earlier, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, had defended the head of the WHO. “Surprised to learn of the existence of a US government campaign against the global leadership of the WHO”.
“The African Union fully supports the WHO and Dr. Tedros. The emphasis must remain on the collective fight against Covid-19 as a united global community. The time for empowerment will come,” wrote Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The AU position is also supported by Namibian President Hage Geingob and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who shared a message of support on their Twitter accounts. “Dr Tedros, as head of WHO, has the full confidence and support of Africa … as we know it!”
