Martin Endjala
South Africa has faced criticism for failing to endorse the Zambian candidate for the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) presidency.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), which includes 16 countries from Southern, Central, and Island Africa and accounts for over 14% of voting rights in the election, endorsed Samuel Maimbo on 17 August.
SADC traditionally votes as a bloc during the AfDB presidential election, but this will not be the case now. South Africa, with over 5% of the voting rights, has shattered this coalition.
According to reports, the country did not view Maimbo’s candidacy favourably.
The Zambian national served as a World Bank chief of staff.
South Africa has backed Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala, the current senior vice president of the AfDB, who had to resign after becoming the fifth person to be added to the list of candidates for the presidency post.
She joins the likes of Beninese Wadagni, Chadian Tolli and Amadou Hott.
The election will take place in May 2025 in Abidjan, and the deadline for candidature submission is 31 January 2025.
Economist, Josef Sheehama finds it astonishing and shocking that South Africa employs a defamatory tactic to diminish Zambia, a country he describes as too large for its neighbour to subjugate.
“They are aware that Maimbo has the ability and right to confront the irresponsible behaviour of South African lumpen people. For that position, Munzele Maimbo possesses extraordinary credentials and experience that the South African can never match,” he said.
Sheehama believes that South Africa is attempting to sabotage Maimbo’s chances, despite his extensive experience.
He said Maimbo is a renowned economist and has spent his distinguished career serving as chief of staff in the Office of the President of the World Bank Group.
“Given his integrity and capabilities, I do not believe that he is weak or will serve the interests of the West. We do not want to witness South Africa politicising, sabotaging SADC’s progress, and fuelling xenophobia,” he said.
Sheehama said that South Africa’s actions clearly convey its view of Zambia as unfit and unworthy of serious consideration to the world.
He said this is not how SADC countries should act.
“Instead, they should support the development of others,” he added.
Sheehama is confident that Maimbo’s nominee represents a significant moment for Zambia and the SADC region.
He said countries like Namibia, which may one day decide to join the election, could see South Africa’s behaviour as a roadblock.
