Egypt Candidate Attack Credibility Of Okonjo-Iweala Over WTO-DG Job

 

Egypt's candidate for the Director-General position of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh, has taken a swipe at Nigeria's representative, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and that of Kenya, Amina Mohamed, stating that both female candidates are not recognized by the African Union.

Mamdouh said he's the only candidate out of Africa that was recognised and supported by the African Union even though the opinion of the African Union doesn't matter in the election for the position of the Director-General of WTO.

Mamdouh said he went through the African Union process, unlike Okonjo-Iweala and Mohamed.

Although, African Union haven't public supported Mamdouh he said, “I think what is the position of the Egyptian government is that the Egyptian candidate — and now this is a matter of fact not a matter of interpretation — is the only candidate of the three Africans who has been endorsed by the executive council of the African Union,” he said.

“That is African process, what is happening here at the WTO does not depend on what happens in Addis Ababa. But in terms of characterisation or description, I think the respective honorable candidates from Kenya and Nigeria have not passed through the processes and procedure of the African Union as the Egyptian candidate did.” He told journalists WTO in Geneva. Although, Benin Republic withdrew its candidate to support Okonjo-Iweala.

Gender Shouldn't Determine Winner

Mamdouh played down the use of gender in the selection of the next Director-General of the WTO.

He said gender shouldn't be used as a yardstick in determining the winner, rather, the position should be based on necessary attributes, “Is this the time for a woman to lead? Anytime is the time for a woman to lead. One of my points raised is that I believe firmly in gender equality, and diversity,” he added.

“But there is a question also about looking at the necessary attributes as opposed to the desirable attributes and of course, I would bow and respect the selection of a woman. I would caution, however, if that becomes the primary criterion as opposed to a desirable criterion, then my point here would be to just act in the best interest of the organisation.”

Okonjo-Iwaela Is A Problem To Egypt

AllNews had reported that Egypt demanded that the African Union shouldn't accept the nomination of Okonjo-Iweala, stating that Nigeria submitted her name late. Nigeria had replaced its initial candidate, Yonok Frederick Agah with Okonjo-Iweala on June 4, 2020. However, Egypt kicked against the decision, saying November 30, 2019, was when members of the African Union had to nominate candidates for the WTO DG's position.

Egypt is also vying for the Director-General position, and want its candidate, Abdulhamid Mamdouh, to qualify as the representative out of Africa, however, WTO ignored Egypt's plea, stating that nominations are still open till July 8, 2020. Benin's decision now gives Okonjo-Iweala - who had been tipped for the World Bank top position before David Malpass emerged - strong leverage for the election.

According to reports, the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon, having a single candidate to represent Africa at the WTO election is a good initiative, and the country is giving its backing to Okonjo-Iweala. She is an international figure and popular amongst global financial bodies; she was appointed by International Monetary Fund (IMF) to its External Advisory Group this year, and WHO appointed her as a Special Envoy for the newly inaugurated Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.

Okonjo-Iweala is also popular amongst global economies, with the South African government appointing her to join their presidential economic advisory council, to help the country through its recession period this year. The Presidential economic group advises South African President Ramaphosa, on economic policies. The presidential economic advisory council consists of local and international economic leaders. Also, she currently sits on Twitter's board.

Okonjo-Iweala's track record gives her a fighting chance to become the Director-General. Her candidacy gives Nigeria hope of leading the WTO after she was overlooked in 2019, for the World Bank top job, which Okonjo-Iweala said she could have contested for “If the right person were to nominate, and if the circumstances are right and people feel I can do the job”. She had previously contested for the World Bank top position in 2012.