WTO Defends Okonjo-Iweala's Nomination, Snubs African Union, Egypt Protest

The World Trade Organisation  (WTO) has stated that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is still eligible to contest for the WTO Director General's office despite the African Union disqualifying her nomination to represent Nigeria. AllNews had reported that AU condemned Nigeri for violating its rules after replacing its initial candidate with Okonjo-Iweala.

In June, Nigeria had substituted its candidate, Yonov Agah, for the WTO Director General position with Okonjo-Iweala, but AU stated that nomination closed in November, so Okonjo-Iweala's candidacy is invalid. The decision of AU came after Egypt protested the selection of Okonjo-Iweala as Nigeria's candidate.

Nigeria, however, defended its decision to replace Agah with Okonjo-Iweala, stating such action isn't nomination, but substitution of candidate, so no rule was violated as claimed by AU. The disagreement over Okonjo-Iweala rises amidst AU members not being able to agree on a single candidate.

AllNews had reported that AU wanted a single candidate out of Africa in order to submit a candidate with the backing of all African countries and Egypt also submitted a candidate, Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh. AU had moved to select a consensus candidate at its February 2020 ordinary session, but members didn't agree on a single candidate.

WTO Doesn't Agree With African Union

According to WTO in a Cable report, members of WTO have the right to submit a representative. Regardless of AU's rule, all that is needed to contest for the Director General seat is for a candidate to have the backing of its country, not necessarily AU. So Okonjo-Iweala is qualified to contest.

Earlier this month when Wgypt protested against Okonjo-Iweala, AllNews had reported that WTO stated that nomination period was still on and haven't closed, so Okonjo-Iweala will be accepted. But AU's recent stance raised doubt about her qualification, now WTO has again clarified that she's qualified.

Speaking on the qualification process, a spokesperson for WTO said, “Members shall have one month after the start of the appointment process to nominate candidates.  Nominations shall be submitted by Members only, and in respect of their own nationals.

“The candidates nominated shall then have three months to make themselves known to members and to engage in discussions on the pertinent issues facing the organisation.

“The remaining two months prior to the conclusion of this process shall be devoted to selecting and appointing one of the candidates.”