Despite claims to the contrary, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former managing director of the World Bank and two-time minister of finance in Nigeria, is still eligible to run for the office as director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), TheCable can report.

The WTO told TheCable on Friday that according to its agreed procedures for the appointment of WTO directors-general, a candidate only needs the backing of their country to vie for the much-coveted office.

The office of the legal counsel of the African Union (AU) had said on Thursday that the candidature of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the position violates the rules of the AU.

The legal counsel said the executive council during its 35th ordinary session held in Niamey, Niger, had asked member countries to present candidates to the AU ministerial committee on candidature by November 30, 2019, to allow it endorse a consensus candidate at its February 2020 ordinary session.

However, the Nigerian embassy and permanent mission to the African Union (AU) said claims that Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination contravenes laid-down rules are unguarded and failed all parameters of objectivity and unbiased submission.

The Nigerian government, in its letter, said Okonjo-Iweala’s candidature did not violate any laws as it was a replacement of a previously presented candidate (Yonov Agah) and not a fresh nomination.

WTO WEIGHS IN: FOUR CANDIDATES IN THE RACE

Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh is Okonjo-Iweala’s prime competitor from the AU

TheCable reached out to the WTO to get clarity on Okonjo-Iweala’s position, considering the AU situation and found that she was still eligible to run, and very much in the race.

According to the WTO, there are currently four candidates vying for the office: Jesús Seade Kuri, the undersecretary for North America in Mexico’s ministry of foreign affairs; Egypt’s Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh, senior counsel at King & Spalding LLP; Tudor Ulianovschi, former foreign minister of Moldova; and Okonjo-Iweala.

WTO shared the nomination procedure with TheCable, stating that nominees only need the backing of their countries, and shall have three months to engage WTO members on issues facing the organisation.

“Members shall have one month after the start of the appointment process to nominate candidates. Nominations shall be submitted by Members only, and in respect of their own nationals,” a spokesperson of the WTO told TheCable via email.

“The candidates nominated shall then have three months to make themselves known to members and to engage in discussions on the pertinent issues facing the organisation.

“The remaining two months prior to the conclusion of this process shall be devoted to selecting and appointing one of the candidates.”

THE AU-WTO PRECEDENCE

Kenya nominated Amina Mohamed to run against the AU candidate in 2013

The AU and previous candidates for the office of the WTO have been at a near-similar position in the past, with the AU endorsing a candidate for the job, and another African country nominating a fresh candidate.

In 2013, the AU selected Alan Kyerematen, the former trade minister in Ghana, as its consensus candidate. Nonetheless, Kenya put forward Amina Mohamed, who they thought was a better candidate, having served at the highest levels at the WTO.

Both candidates lost.

In order not to repeat the mistake of 2013, the AU is being a little more diplomatic with the 2020 selection for the same office.
https://www.thecable.ng/exclusive-okonjo-iweala-still-eligible-to-run-for-office-of-dg-says-wto/amp?__twitter_impression=true
Oam4j
Mynd44
Lalasticlala

Good

I am shocked

What is happening in AU is a very obvious handwriting of the Egyptians.
They see NOI posing a very great threat to the emergence of their candidate.

According to the WTO, there are currently four candidates vying for the office: Jesús Seade Kuri, the undersecretary for North America in Mexico’s ministry of foreign affairs; Egypt’s Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh, senior counsel at King & Spalding LLP; Tudor Ulianovschi, former foreign minister of Moldova; and Okonjo-Iweala.

Since the Asian, Australiasia and Southern American continents have no candidate presented, we can lobby them to our side.

Egyptians can go and hug transformer.

Abeg ooo... mke Dem give am dat role ooo.

She's hardworking and she no dey fumble

Egypt is not just comfortable with NOI.

Why am I so happy for Iweala

Shame on Egypt!
Bigger shame on AU!!

The Egyptians are afraid of competing against a superior candidate.

Very eligible...

The Egyptians are angry because Nigeria presented a formidable candidate.
According to the earlier news, the nomination will close July, 2020.

If the Egyptians are still bitter with the latest development, they can go jump into the Red Sea!

Amotolongbo:
What is happening in AU is a very obvious handwriting of the Egyptians.
They see NOI posing a very great threat to the emergence of their candidate.
Since the Asian, Australiasia and Southern American continents have no candidate presented, we can lobby them to our side.

From the CV of the other contestants, it is obvious why Egypt is afraid of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala being in the race. She has not just experience on her side but global popularity. There is no doubt that the rest of Sub Saharan Africa will support her while her connections on the global arena will no doubt dwarf whatever the Egyptian candidate has.

NOI has no problem winning the seat. NOI was not Nigeria's candidiate. NOI was a candidate of some global interest groups. They are the same group that armtwisted unwilling Cabal at the presidency to nominate her and withdraw their previous nominee so that the law that country must back the candidate would be fulfilled. Even if AU backs Egypt, the Interests backing NOI will still have the upper hand.

abeg make she bow out

Better

Though the Egypt candidate is also a good candidate, Iweala should win this. Amina Mohammed from Kenya will back down for Iweala.

Eastern Africa, West Africa and probably some part of Southern Africa will definitely support the candidacy of Dr Iweala.

And internationally, madam NOI is more recognised and respected

All the best to her.