HARARE — Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Thursday lashed out at the "selfish" West for denying Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the opportunity to head the World Bank.

Okonjo-Iweala, a respected economist, last month lost the World Bank president post to Korean-American Jim Young Kim, in a first-ever challenge to US domination of the job.

"We were very saddened that you didn't make it," Mugabe told a women's conference in Harare, which the Nigerian minister was attending.

"You know the Europeans are very selfish, they want to retain power in these bodies.

"The World Bank, no African can head it. The IMF, no African can head it. So it will take us time to be equal," said Mugabe.

Under a tacit agreement since the Bretton Woods institutions were founded nearly 70 years ago, the United States has always picked one of its citizens for the helm of the World Bank while Europe has held control of who leads the International Monetary Fund.

The US nominee faced a challenge for the first time in 66 years from two strong developing country candidates.

Okonjo-Iweala meanwhile said her candidacy for the World Bank president has proven that developing countries can lead global institutions.

"I think they (World Bank) have absolutely no choice, they have to evolve," she said.

"It was a game changer that we cannot have the same processes that have gone on for 60 years going on in future, therefore I am confident that going forward there will be a more level playing field, more competition will be allowed."

Elose11: I don't think the West were selfish. They were been very nationalistic. They are protecting their interest. They can't trust a Nigerian to protect those interest, inspite of the fact that she has always been their tool all these years.

mr_natural: Mugabe should shut up and go and sit down. Imagine Mugabe talking bout selfishness.

Timileyin: does she deserve it, that selfish characterless woman. The white man will be more useful

opokonwa:

A tool is a tool, an employee is an employee.
A Business Owner is a Business Owner. The West conceived and own both the World Bank and the IMF.
Then tomorrow, one of those we milk will come to lead us? Tufiakwa!
LOL!

solomon111: Height of stupidity.!
I wonder how long i will be in the same country with these idiots.

Ohislee: Who is more selfish?
1)Robert Mugabe- holding on, on power for too long
2)Okonjo Iweala - using IMF policies to run Nigerian economy, like the introduction of fuel subsidy, inorder to boost her CV for the job. This is selfishness of the highest order. Our president GEJ was used along the way,
3)The west being selfish for not giving her the job.

LeoMax: Sometimes I wonder why am here in Nairaland.com, so many morons here can ruin my sense of objectivity. Who was most qualified, a medic or a Professor of Economics with 25yrs experience in the world body.

Ohislee: Who is more selfish?
1)Robert Mugabe- holding on, on power for too long
2)Okonjo Iweala - using IMF policies to run Nigerian economy, like the introduction of fuel subsidy, inorder to boost her CV for the job. This is selfishness of the highest order. Our president GEJ was used along the way,
3)The west being selfish for not giving her the job.

Areosapien:

are you a m.o.r.o.n?