Ex- Nigerian finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s journey to becoming the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is experiencing some setbacks. The latest report showed that the United States Trump Administration has refused to back Iweala’s appointment.
Before now, news circulating announced her appointment in the early hours of today. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been close to becoming the first African woman to head the international organisation after getting support from the vast majority of member states, including the EU, Japan, and China. In the final two-man race, she had polled 104 votes from 164 member countries to defeat South Korea’s Trade Minister.
South Korea’s candidate Yoo Myung-hee however remains a contender and Washington will not recognize Okonjo-Iweala as the consensus candidate for appointment as director-general, a US trade representative at World Trade Organization on Wednesday said.
In response to this, the General Counsel has postponed its announcement of the new Director-General until a further meeting, which is scheduled for 9 November; after the US presidential elections.
Her appointment as the new director-general of the World Trade Organization would have beneficial for Africa. It would set her up for great job responsibility in the international system.