South African President, Ramaphosa Reveals Preferred Candidate For WTO DG

South Africa President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has congratulated Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her advancement into the final stage of the selection process for the position of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

He noted that the Nigerian is the right person for the position as she has the ability to reposition the WTO.

President Ramaphosa in his statement said, “Dr Okonjo-Iweala is a highly distinguished African, who has excelled in various public offices, in her native Nigeria, including responsibilities in the AU, and in numerous international assignments.”

“At a time when international organisations need to be repurposed, Dr Okonjo-Iweala is the right person to reposition the WTO in order to be an effective instrument for facilitating a fair, just, equitable and rules-based trading system. I have no doubt that she has the credentials and capability to restore order in an otherwise turbulent multilateral trading system.”

Ramaphosa called on all members of the African Union to support the Nigerian during the final nomination stage.

He noted that her appointment will see her become the first female Director-General and the first African to hold the position.

The South Africa President expressed optimism that other regions and countries will also unite and support Okonjo-Iweala, whose leadership will help put WTO on the right path.

He also commended Abdel Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt and Ms Amina Mohamed of Kenya, for making themselves available for the WTO DG selection process.