African Countries Rally Behind Okonjo-Iweala For Second Term As WTO D-G

Not fewer than fifty-eight (58) out of the 164 member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have thrown their weight behind a proposal from the African Group backing the incumbent Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to serve a second term.

The 58 member countries of the trade association made this known at a July 22 meeting of the WTO General Council, according to a statement by the world trade body.

The statement read in part, “The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term, and has proposed that the process of reappointing the Director-General should be started as soon as possible.”

The 58 members, speaking on behalf of groups of members, took the floor to comment and express their support for the African Group proposal, praising the DG’s hard work and her achievements during her first term.

They also called on Okonjo-Iweala to make her intentions regarding a second term known as soon as possible.

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The 70-year-old Nigerian Okonjo-Iweala said she was very grateful for the support from members.

“Everything that I’ve accomplished, we’ve accomplished together,” she said.

She added that she took the call of members very seriously and was favourably inclined, but however, said she would get back to members very soon regarding her intentions.

Okonjo-Iweala who is the seventh WTO boss assumed office on March 1, 2021 for a single term of four years which will expire on August 31, 2025.

She is however eligible for a second term.

The former Nigerian Minister of Finance navigated stiff opposition to become the first woman and the first African to serve as the Director-General of the WTO.

Before her current appointment, she twice served as Nigeria’s Finance minister from 2003 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2015.

She also briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006 as the first woman to hold both positions.

The skilled negotiator had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist where she rose to the number two position as Managing Director of Operations.