Barring further manoeuvres by the US, Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala appears cleared to be announced the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (DG-WTO).
This is in view of the fact that her only rival, the South Korean Candidate, Yoo Myung Hee has withdrawn from the race.
The information was gathered from the Washington Trade Daily of the 23rd of November.
Okonjo-Iweala’s only opponent, South Korea’s Trade Minister joined the race with 7 others including Nigeria’s Former Finance Minister and Fromer World Bank Vive President.
The position of DG was thrown open one year ahead of schedule after Roberto Azevedo resigned suddenly.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean Myung-Hee were the last two standing until October 28 Okonjo-Iweala beat Yoo Myung-Hee by a wide margin and was set to be officially named as successor to Azevedo when the US announced its opposition.
It is expected that with Trump’s loss at the the Presidential elections, the US will officially back Nigeria’s Candidate.
The WTO General Council Chair, David Walker of New Zealand and his two co-facilitators were alarmed at the preference of the US considering that Nigeria’s candidate enjoyed the consensus of all member states of the world body.
According to Walker, “she clearly carried the largest support by Members in the final round and she clearly enjoyed broad support from Members from all levels of development and all geographic regions and has done so throughout the process.”
Sadly, the Office of the US Trade Representative said that the WTO is badly in need of reforms and “must be led by someone with real hands-on experience in the field.”
On its choice of the South Korean Candidate, the US added that “Minister Yoo is a bonafide trade expert who distinguished herself during a 25-year career as a successful trade negotiator and trade policy maker. She has all the skills necessary to be an effective leader of the organisation.”
People familiar with the development say that Trump’s position is premised on Okonjo-Iweala’s apparent support for the US democratic party.
Gladly, according to the Washington Trade Daily of yesterday, “Seoul is expected to announce its decision to withdraw its Trade Minister, Ms Yoo in the coming days to enable the WTO’s council General to appoint Ms Okonjo-Iweala…
“Korea has already conveyed its decision to the United State, which has been insisting on the selection of Ms Yoo.”
Read also:
Why US Opposed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s Emergence as WTO DG (video)
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean
“All’s is well that ends well.”
Ngozi Chukwu ka.
It’s the Lord’s doing.
Let the Amazon take her rightful place and commence her onerous task of breathing harmony into perennial disjointed world trade plagued by protectionism and geopolitics.
So true.
Glad to hear that the only rivals of Ngozi has withdrawn. The coast is clear for navigation to the exalted position. All the best.
Hola Watkins
The,world’s been waiting for her. We wish her the very best