Tedros became the UN agency’s first African director-general in 2017 and has been a prominent figure in the global fight against the coronavirus. Now that the experienced diplomat will also be at the helm of the WHO for the next five years, there will be a follow-up of the investigation into the origin of the virus under his care. China has certainly not taken a benevolent attitude in this regard. In addition, he will have to deal with a reform of the World Health Organization.
His homeland’s government previously said it would not support Tedros’ candidacy. The Ethiopian army accused Tedros in 2020 of helping local authorities in the insurgent region of Tigray. A general had called him a criminal, but Tedros said he is on the side of peace in the “horrific” situation in Tigray.