Writing in Kenya’s The Nation, Makau Mutua makes some compelling points. Slamming European hypocrisy, the writer calls for an end to Western control of the World Bank and IMF and a set of internal governance reforms that goes far beyond the leadership selection. Continue reading →

Many of you will remember that Bill Clinton got some backing in 2005 as a potentially clever bi-partisan World Bank president appointment. This time he has had less mention. But now the former US president is back in the frame. Courtesy of … The Canberra Times. Continue reading →

A rush of wire service articles from the G8 Finance Ministers’ meeting in Potsdam, Germany confirms that, at least as far as these people are concerned, the U.S. gets to retain its control of the World Bank presidency. And the next nomination, according to Reuters, could happen soon — “early June” is spoken of as the target. Continue reading →

Although Paul Wolfowitz is sorting his papers and waiting for an invitation to Africa, work remains to be done below the tip of the iceberg.  The Board has dealt with him, but there is more to clean up.  There’s new news, and it involves Robin Cleveland (again), this time with Anwar Ibrahim, former PM of Malaysia and now Chairman of the Foundation for the Future. Continue reading →

Apparently we are still at first base when it comes to appointing a new World Bank president. Many people are keen for a quick resolution on this issue – not least many of us bloggers, the German government (which would hate to have the full G8 summit dominated by this same question), and Bank staff. It appears, though that we may have to wait some time. Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury Robert Kimmit told reporters at the G8 finance ministers meeting in Potsdam that his boss Henry Paulson “is not at this time talking names of people but how best to run the process to end up with the best person to run this important institution”.