The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has accepted Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination for the post of its Director-General, despite a protest by Egypt.
After the Egyptian government nominated Mr. Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh for the same position, it opposed Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination on grounds that it is belated. Egypt told African Union (AU) not to accept her nomination, as members of AU had been ordered to nominate candidates for the Director-General position since November 30, 2019. The request to replace Nigeria’s Yonok Frederick Agah with Okonjo-Iweala was made on June 4, 2020.
Meanwhile, the WTO has said in a statement released yesterday that nominations are still open till July 8, 2020.
The statement was posted on the Geneva-based global trade body’s website and it reads: “Nigeria nominates Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for post of WTO Director-General.
“Nigeria, on 9 June 2020, nominated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current Director-General, Mr. Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will step down on 31 August 2020.
“According to the timetable announced by the Chair of the General Council, David Walker, the nomination period will close on 8 July 2020. Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will be invited to meet with members at a special General Council meeting, present their views and take questions from the membership.”
