Geneva — The World Trade Organisation's (WTO) bid to select a new leader was plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday after the US rejected Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the global watchdog's next director-general.

Three WTO ambassadors, charged with finding a successor to Brazilian Roberto Azevedo, had decided that Nigerian former finance minister Okonjo-Iweala should be the next chief as she had secured wide cross-regional backing.

Their decision, which awaits approval from WTO members, caps a more than four-month selection process involving intensive lobbying which saw her square up against South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee in the final round.

The head of the “troika” of ambassadors relayed their recommendation to WTO members at a meeting on Wednesday.

However, the US then said they did not back Okonjo-Iweala. The decision needs to be approved by consensus, meaning any WTO member could block her appointment.

“One delegation could not support the candidacy of Dr Ngozi and said they would continue to support South Korean minister Yoo. That delegation was the US,” WTO spokesperson Keith Rockwell told reporters at the WTO's headquarters in Geneva after the closed-door meeting.

The WTO has set a meeting to settle the matter for November 9, less than a week after US voters go to the polls for a presidential election. It was not immediately clear if the outcome of the vote would affect the US position on Okonjo-Iweala's appointment.

Rockwell said there was likely to be “frenzied activity” before the November 9 meeting to secure the required consensus.

Many members such as China and the US had declined to name their preference publicly though some African, Caribbean and other states had voiced support for Okonjo-Iweala.

The EU endorsed Okonjo-Iweala on October 26.

However, three sources following the contest said that Washington had privately indicated a preference for Yoo.

The leadership void was created after outgoing WTO chief Azevedo stepped down a year early in August. The WTO is being steered by four deputies.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is also a former World Bank MD, would face considerable challenges with rival economies bickering amid rising tensions and protectionism during a coronavirus-induced trade plunge.

Her inbox would also feature an overhaul of the WTO's top appeals body — which US President Donald Trump's administration has brought to its knees by blocking judge appointments — and a major trade conference in 2021.

Okonjo-Iweala, a development expert, has branded herself a “do-er”, saying she has the political clout to command influence in capitals.

“I feel I can solve the problems. I'm a known reformer, not someone who talks about it. I've actually done it both at the World Bank and in my country,” she said.

As chair of the of GAVI vaccine alliance board, Okonjo-Iweala has also said the WTO should play a role in helping poorer countries access Covid-19 drugs and vaccines.

Reuters