A World Health Organization (WHO) official said the global body would postpone a decision on Ethiopia’s request to investigate its leader for allegedly backing rebels fighting the federal government in his native Tigray.
WHO executive board chair Patrick Amoth made the statement at a meeting on Monday by the board in Geneva where current director general Teodros Adhanom Ghebereyesus’ bid for a second term as head of the UN agency is to be discussed.
Adhanom, an Ethiopian national earlier said this month that aid was being blocked from getting through to his home region of Tigray, where the rebellious forces are fighting the central government.
“This is an extremely complicated matter with political implications and outside the agreed procedural frameworks of this committee,” said Amoth.
“Accordingly, I am inclined to the view that this request should be set aside and if appropriately addressed by those concerned as they see may deem appropriate. None of the WHO’s 34 board members objected” he said.
On January 4, 2022, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry accused Ghebereyesus who previously served as Ethiopia’s health and foreign minister of spreading misinformation about the war in the country’s north.
The ministry said his remarks compromised the WHO’s credibility and independence.
Ethiopia’s statement came days after the WHO chief said aid was being deliberately prevented from getting through to Tigray’s displaced population.
MG/as/APA