The Southern African Development Community (SADC) raised the bar on Monday July 14 in its opposition to a South African candidacy for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The regional bloc reiterated, in a statement, its support for Zambian economist Samuel M. Maimbo to serve as the next AfDB President, although South Africa has fielded its candidate, Swazi Tshabalala. Read the file on the contenders for Adesina’s succession
“Discussions on the selection process of the SADC candidate for the presidency of the African Development Bank began in 2022 during the Summit meeting of Heads of State and Government of the grouping, which was held in Democratic Republic of Congo,” underlines the same source.
She revealed that on the occasion of its 44th meeting organized on August 17, 2024 in Zimbabwe, the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government officially nominated Samuel M. Maimbo as the region’s sole candidate for the post of President of the ADB Group.
Of the seven candidates, Maimbo ranked first following the interviews
The Summit also urged SADC Member States to support him and campaign for his election.
Seven candidates had been nominated by Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia and had been interviewed, it is explained, specifying that at the following this process, the Zambian Maimbo was ranked in first position.
The position of President of the AfDB will become vacant on August 31, 2025, when the term of office of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of Nigeria will expire.
The Southern African Development Community is an organization that aims to promote the economic development of Southern Africa. It includes 16 member states: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Par The editorial staffEditorial Committee – Casablanca
