Fifteen leaders of the African Union (AU), all of them former heads of states of their respective countries, have jointly issued a caution note to the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) over the controversy surrounding the investigation of alleged ethical abuses levelled against the AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, raised by a whistleblower.
Though the Board had already cleared Adesina of any complicity in the allegations, in line with the Bank’s rules and procedures, a certain shareholder of the Bank, the United States (US) is insisting on the introduction of an unknown innovation of an independent investigator, prompting the reaction of the African leaders, who have also given Adesina an excellent score of performance at the Bank, particularly over the bank’s COVID-19 pandemic interventions on the African continent.
In a press statement made available to The Guardian yesterday titled: “Leadership of the African Development Bank: A Need for Caution,” the concerned African leaders said: “Africa is facing an unprecedented challenge with the COVID-19 and all hands must be on deck to tackle the pandemic. The AfDB, under the leadership of Adesina, has been doing a remarkable job in steering the organisation.
“The Bank announced a $10billion crisis response facility to support countries in Africa. The Bank also successfully launched 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 $115billion for the Bank, the largest in its history since establishment in 1964.
“The Bank has been doing a lot for women, with a $3billion 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, improved transport and access to water and sanitation. The Bank has maintained its stellar AAA rating among all global rating agencies. The shareholders of the Bank have all played very important roles in supporting the Bank to achieve these impressive results.”
“The Ethics Committee of the Board of Directors, a legal oversight body of the Bank, made up of representatives of shareholders, cleared Adesina of all 16 allegations, declaring them as baseless and unsubstantiated and exonerated him completely.
“The Chairman of the Board of Governors, based on the report of the Ethics Committee, declared Adesina exonerated. We understand that the Bank fully followed its rules, procedures and governing systems, which have served it well since African countries established it in 1964.
“Governance is all about respecting and abiding by rules, laws and established governing systems of organisations. 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. To do otherwise will be tantamount to undermining the Bank and its long and hard-earned reputation, and that of its President.
“The AfDB is a pride for all of Africa, and its President, 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.
“Differences will always occur, but we urge all shareholders work together. All shareholders should work with mutual respect, and honour the rules and procedures of the Bank and its governance systems that have served it well for 56 years.
“No nation, regardless of how powerful, has veto power over the AfDB, and no nation should have such power.”
The former African leaders, who jointly signed the caution notice sent to the AfDB Board of Governors include Liberia’s Sirleaf Johnson; Ghana’s John Kufuor; Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan; Boni Yayi (Benin Republic); Hailemariam Desalegn (Ethiopia); Joyce Banda (Malawi); Joaquim Chissano (Mozambique); Tandja Mamadou (Niger Republic); Tunisia’s Mohamed Marzouki (Tunisia); Ameenah Gurib-Fakin of Mauritius; Rupiah Banda of Zambia; Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.
