A coalition of 14 former African presidents and a prime
minister, totalling 15, have urged the US government to respect the governing
systems of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
In a statement on Friday, the leaders said the bank and its
president, Akinwumi Adesina, should not be distracted at a time when the
continent is battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
The leaders — including Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck
Jonathan, former Nigerian presidents, — said conflict resolution processes
outside laid down rules would undermine the reputation of the bank and its
president.
The US, through Steven Mnuchin, its treasury secretary, had
called for an independent probe of Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB president, despite
being absolved of whistleblower allegations by the bank’s ethics committee.
“Adesina, who some whistleblowers alleged to have violated
the banks’ code of ethics, has firmly and consistently declared his innocence
of these allegations.
“The ethics committee of the board of directors, a legal
oversight body of the bank, made up of representatives of shareholders, cleared
Dr Adesina of all 16 allegations, declaring them as baseless and
unsubstantiated and exonerated him completely.
“Governance is all about respecting and abiding by rules,
laws and established governing systems of organizations. In the case of the
AfDB, while differences may exist among parties, the best way to address them
is to first respect the rules, procedures and governance structures of the
bank.
“The African Development Bank is a pride for all of Africa,
and its president, Dr Adesina, has taken the bank to enviable heights. At this
critical time that Africa is battling with COVID-19, the bank and its president
should not be distracted.”
Listing achievements of the AfDB under Adesina’s leadership,
the leaders said: “The bank announced a $10 billion crisis response facility to
support countries in Africa. The bank also successfully launched a $3 billion
Fight COVID-19 social bond, the largest ever US dollar-denominated bond in
world history”.
“Powered by his vision and leadership, the shareholders of the
bank from 80 countries all approved a general capital increase of $115 billion
for the bank, the largest in its history since establishment in 1964.
“The bank has been doing a lot for women, with a $3 billion
fund to provide access to finance to women, supported by G7 countries and
Africa.
“Across the continent, the bank’s presence and work have
been highly visible and impactful. In less than five years, the bank’s High 5
agenda has impacted over 333 million people, from access to electricity, food
security, access to finance via the private sector, improve transport, and
access to water and sanitation.
“The bank has maintained its stellar AAA rating among all
global rating agencies.”
They urged all shareholders to work with mutual respect and
honour the procedures of the bank saying: “No nation, regardless of how
powerful, has veto power over the African Development Bank, and no nation
should have such power”.
The statement was signed and endorsed by:
- Olusegun Obasanjo (president of Nigeria; 1999-2007)
- Boni Yayi (president of Benin; 2006-2016)
- Hailemariam Desalegn (prime minister of Ethiopia; 2012 – 2018)
- John Kufour (president of Ghana; 2001 – 2009)
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (president of Liberia; 2006 – 2018)
- Joyce Banda (president of Malawi; 2012 – 2014)
- Joaquim Chissano (president of Mozambique; 1986 – 2005)
- Tandja Mamadou (president of Niger; 1999 – 2010)
- Goodluck Jonathan (president of Nigeria; 2010-2015)
- Mohamed Marzouki (president of Tunisia; 2011 – 2014)
- Benjamin Mkapa (president of Tanzania; 1995 – 2005)
- Ameenah Gurib-Fakin (president of Mauritius; 2015 – 2018)
- Rupiah Banda (president of Zambia; 2008 – 2011)
- Kgalema Motlanthe (president of South Africa; 2008-2009)
- Jakaya Kikwete (president of Tanzania; 2005 – 2015)
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