Following widespread criticism from donors, human rights groups and several medical organisations, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Sunday withdrew its decision to appoint Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe as a Goodwill Ambassador.

In a statement, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recently appointed WHO director-general, said: "Over the last few days, I have reflected on my appointment... As a result I have decided to rescind the appointment. I have listened carefully to all who have expressed their concerns, and heard the different issues that they have raised."

Mr Mugabe, 93, who has been in power since independence from the UK in 1980, took a charter flight from Harare to Uruguay last week to attend WHO’s global conference on non-communicable disease, which include heart attacks, strokes, asthma, and diabetes.

When bestowing the honour last week, Dr Tedros called Zimbabwe "a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at the centre of its policies to provide healthcare to all."

The UK government expressed its dismay at the honour bestowed by the WHO - the UN's healthcare branch - and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the appointment was "absolutely unacceptable and inconceivable”.