By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
In a move that has been described as unprecedented in the continent, a coalition of 15 former African presidents and prime minister on Friday threw their considerable political weight behind the embattled president of African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina.
The leaders led by Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, strongly urged the U.S. 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 should not be distracted at a time when the continent was battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
The leaders, which Goodluck Jonathan, another former Nigerian president, said conflict resolution processes outside laid down rules would undermine the reputation of the bank and its president.
Adesina was Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture under President Jonathan.
The US, through Steven Mnuchin, its treasury secretary, had called for an independent probe of Adesina, AfDB president, despite being absolved of whistleblower allegations by the bank’s ethics committee.
In his letter to the board of governors, Mnuchin said: “We urge you to initiate an in-depth investigation of the allegations using the services of an independent outside investigator of high professional standing.”
He added: “We fear that wholesale dismissal of all allegations without appropriate investigation will tarnish the reputation of this institution as one that does not uphold high standards of ethics and governance.
“This is a serious risk when we need strong confidence in the AfDB to play an influential role in the current global economic and health crisis, and when many shareholders are seeking legislative support for payments under the recently-concluded General Capital Increase.”
But the African leaders said due process must be followed according to the rules, regulations and laws governing the operations of the bank.
“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)