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Amina bid to head trade body gets boost from EAC ministers

Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 00:00 | By
CS Amina Mohamed.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed bid for the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Director-General position has received a boost after the East African Council of Ministers (EACM) endorsed her candidature.

Council on Monday, in a statement signed by Vincent Biruta, minister and chairperson of the EAC Council of ministers, said the endorsement is in line with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who is the chairperson of EAC Heads of State, who supported her candidature. 

In this regard, “I would like to inform you that Ambassador Amina Mohamed is endorsed as the candidate of the EAC to this post,”  read the statement signed by Vincent Biruta, minister and chairperson of the EAC Council of ministers.

Last week, World Marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge endorsed the CS for the job.

In his endorsement, Kipchoge said the CS has demonstrated the power to excel even in the toughest conditions.

“I see in her the rare trait of exceptional endurance only exhibited by people with outstanding mental and physical stamina. The kind of people who break records in the most unlikely situations,” Eliud said.

Strong advocate

The ‘King of the Marathon’ went on to say that in the two decades he has known Ambassador Mohamed, she has been a trailblazer, who has broken all limits to be the most qualified politician, consensus-builder and technical expert in the world of international trade.

In July, the East Africa Business Council (EABC) also endorsed Amina’s nomination, saying her joining the WTO will be timely as Africa is keenly focusing on the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

 EABC said the sports Cabinet Secretary is a strong advocate for the actualisation of the AfCFTA and has also chaired the WTO’s 10th Ministerial Conference held in Nairobi in 2015, the Dispute Settlement Body and the WTO’s General Council in 2005.

 The regional body said her passion for international trade, exemplary strategic leadership, diplomatic and negotiation skills make her the right candidate.

Ms Mohamed is among five candidates who qualified for round two of the tests, whose results will be made known on October 6 with the announcement of the two finalists. 

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