* U.S. to nominate World Bank candidate on Friday
* African powers nominate Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala
* Ocampo nomination in doubt without Colombia support
By Lesley Wroughton
WASHINGTON, March 23 (Reuters) – The United States faces an
unprecedented challenge to its grip on the World Bank
presidency, with emerging African economies nominating a
candidate on Friday to set up the first contested bid for the
top job at the global development lender.
Angola, Nigeria and South Africa endorsed the nomination of
Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a respected
economist and diplomat, as a candidate to take over the bank
when Robert Zoellick steps down in June.
“The endorsement is in line with the belief that the
appointment of the leadership of the World Bank and its sister
institution, the International Monetary Fund, should be
merit-based, open and transparent,” the three said in a
statement.
It was a rare example of unity among countries often at
loggerheads as they strive for dominance on the continent.
Less than a day before the deadline to nominate, Washington
has yet to announce its candidate — normally a shoo-in and
still considered likely to be the appointee.
Continued…
