Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has become the public face of the global fight against coronavirus, a staunch supporter of the global vaccination campaign and the equitable distribution of vaccines to include the poorer countries of the world.
Dr Tedros became the WHO’s first African director-general in 2017, and was re-elected unopposed in 2021, despite a politically motivated campaign against him. He was born and raised in Asmara, Eritrea, and received a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Health from the University of Nottingham, and a Master of Science (MSc) in Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the University of London.
 
Prior to his work at the WHO Dr Tedros was Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, and also held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs.  As the Minister of Health, he received global recognition for Ethiopia’s outstanding achievements in improving child and maternal health, introducing Malaria and HIV control programs, and making primary healthcare the central priority of the government, resulting in a reduction of mortality rates and an increase in life expectancy of Ethiopian citizens.
 
Dr Tedros’ experience and leadership qualities have been on display during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the guidelines outlined by the WHO have been the main strategies adopted by most if not all nations in their efforts to contain the virus. The WHO´s quick and determined response to the Ebola outbreak has also earned the admiration of many.  Dr. Tedros Adhanom was included in the TIME magazine’s most influential people of 2020 and also wone the 2020 Bridge Maker Award.  At the same time, he has been subjected to more intense scrutiny of his track record and background than any other leader of the organization.
 
On 4 November 2020 the Ethiopian government, supported by the government of Eritrea, declared war on Tigray. Since then, Dr Tedros has been the subject of systematic smear campaigns orchestrated by the Ethiopian army’s Chief of Staff and amplified by some in the Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora communities whose support the regimes of Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopian and Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea. He has received numerous death threats and has been subjected to social media caricatures and crude racial slurs, yet he remains unbowed in the face of such attacks.
 
The attacks have become more voracious and venomous in recent weeks, particularly since Dr Tedros, like many other leaders of UN agencies, expressed legitimate concerns at the situation in Tigray and stated, truthfully, that the UN health agency could not deliver supplies and medicines to the area as it remains under systematic blockade.
Dr Tedros Adhanom is at the forefront of combatting an unprecedented global health crisis.  He continues to maintain focus and professionalism in the face of false accusation, racism, vilification, and the painful events in his home country.

We reject and denounce all politically motivated attacks on Dr. Tedros Adhanom, and all attempt to tarnish his exemplary leadership and reputation. In particular, we condemn in its entirety the recent petition campaign undertaken in this Change.org, by the supporters of the Eritrean and Ethiopian government.