We had earlier published a report that the WTO panel had appointed Okonjo-Iweala for the WTO job.
However, a report published by Bloomberg on an ongoing proceeding between WTO delegates indicates that there is one BIG hurdle left for her to cross to become the first woman and African to head the global watchdog in its 25-year history.
The recommendation of former minister Okonjo-Iweala was made by three WTO ambassadors after consulting with members in a series of closed-door meetings in Geneva as part of an intricate and secretive process that some have compared to a papal succession.
The WTO ambassadors, led by New Zealand’s Ambassador David Walker, is due to make the formal recommendation to a closed-door meeting of heads of delegations at 3 p.m. (1400 GMT).
It, however, still needs to be approved by consensus at a meeting of the WTO’s 164 members.
Many members, such as China and the United States have declined to name their preference publicly although some African, Caribbean and other states have voiced support for Okonjo-Iweala.
