The leadership race for the World Trade Organization has been thrown into disarray after the United States opposed the appointment of former Nigerian finance and Foreign affairs minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whose candidacy has been also supported by the European Union. The American delegation has not explained the reasons of the refusal.

Following discussions among EU leaders during their summit in Brussels last week, the bloc agreed to back the Nigerian Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala after a period of reflection, caused by a number of member-states opinion to give preference to the South Korean candidate Yoo Myung-hee for the job of the next director-general of the WTO.  Ambassadors from the EU’s 27 member states confirmed on Monday, October 26, that the bloc would support the African candidate Dr.Okonjo-Iweala.

The WTO’s decision-making process is based on consensus, and either candidate will need to win the blessing of all 164 members.