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  • Business - Africa
  • Updated: June 11, 2020

Here's Why AfDB's Vice President Resigned Amidst Akinwumi Adesina's Faceoff With US

Here's Why AfDB's Vice President Resigned Amidst Akinwumi Ad

Dr Jennifer Blanke, the Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development at the African Development Bank (AfDB), has resigned from her position. Blanke's resignation came at a period AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, is embattled and struggling to clear his name from corruption allegations.

But Blanke's resignation has nothing to do with the current struggles ongoing in AfBD, as she explained in a statement. She said that her leaving the multilateral bank is related to family reasons. Although, she will still continue in the position until July 4, 2020, when her resignation will be effective.

According to Blanke, she decided to quit AfDB "purely for family reasons to rejoin my family in Switzerland, after a very fulfilling time at the bank. I will miss the bank and the excellent team we have built. I will continue to strongly support the bank from wherever I am.

“I thank President Akinwumi Adesina for his strong leadership, guidance and support which have undoubtedly motivated and helped my team and I to play a key role in the transformation of the bank. I feel privileged to have been given an opportunity to contribute to the bank’s agenda for accelerating Africa’s social and economic transformation.”

Meanwhile, Adesina said working with Blanke for over three and half years have been a delight as she moved the needles on so many fronts in issues relating to women's financial power and food security. “She has demonstrated genuine leadership skills and moved the needles on so many fronts, especially in the areas of food security, women’s financial empowerment and job creations.

"I wish her all the best and look forward to continued partnerships and engagement with Jennifer,” he added. Blanke has been with AfDB since 2017.

Adesina And His Struggles

The AfDB President has been under scrutiny following a series of allegations disclosed by a whistleblower. AllNews had reported that the accusations range from using his position as AfDB President for private gain, being an impediment to efficiency, showing preferential treatment, bribery of ECOWAS members, involvement in political activity, and making questionable appointments and departures; all allegations Adesina have denied.

However, despite being cleared of the allegations by AfDB's ethics committee, the United States and its allies insisted on an independent probe of Adesina. This had led to Nigeria and some African countries backing Adesina, with Nigeria informing AfDB to ignore US demand.

Adesina had also criticised those calling for an independent probe, stating that the accusations were baseless as his actions didn't contradict AfDB's code of conduct.

Adesina Faceoff With US Exposes Economic Colonisation

The United States has been pulling strings to back up its confrontation with the current President of African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, and things are going its way. The AfDB bowing to pressure for an independent probe as demanded by the United States exposed the economic slavery former President of Nigeria, Shehu Shagari tried to prevent during his time as commissioner of finance in Nigeria.

AfDB was created in 1964 to limit the powers of western countries on African countries. The establishment of AfDB was supposed to give African countries economic independence and financial freedom from the grip of western countries who could use their financial power to control poor African countries in need of funds for development projects.

However, many years after, that hasn't been the case in AfDB, and this was exposed by the faceoff between Adesina and the U.S as contained in this report.

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