US OPPOSES OKONJO-IWEALA AS WTO DIRECTOR GENERAL
The United States of America has opposed the naming of Nigeria’s former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the new Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The last minute objection by the U.S. delayed the announcement of Okonjo-Iweala as the consensus candidate to lead the World Trade Organisation.
The U.S. had during a meeting of WTO delegates in Geneva, said it won’t support the appointment of Okonjo-Iweala as the WTO’s next
director-general.
Read Also: PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE ASK EUROPEAN UNION TO SUPPORT NIGERIA'S NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA AS WTO DG
U.S. trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, had pushed for South Korean's candidate, Minister Yoo Myung-hee, who is Okonjo-Iweala’s opponent in the race to lead the WTO.
The objection is coming barely a week after the steering group of the parliamentary conference on the WTO tasked by members of the European Parliament of the organisation recommended Okonjo-Iweala for the European Union to support.
Okonjo-Iweala had received a key endorsement from the WTO selection committee, which moved her a step closer to becoming the WTO’s first female director-general.
The ECOWAS also endorsed her bringing the number of countries that have endorsed her to 104 out of the 164 members, which gave her a clear lead.
Read Also: WTO RECEIVES NOMINATION OF NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA AS DG
However, all WTO decisions are taken by a consensus of its 164 members, which means the U.S’ move will act as a veto that disrupts the process.
A WTO council however said further consultation will continue until consensus is reached ahead of the meeting scheduled for November 9.
Meanwhile, there was jubilation in Nigeria on Wednesday, October 27, as news circulated on the internet that Okonjo-Iweala had emerged the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Comments