Thirty days before the end of his term, Akinwumi Adesina, outgoing president of the African Development Bank (BAD), is making decisions as if he had five more years at the helm of the institution. Promotions, privileges, and benefits are raining down on the Lagune. More than 22 senior executives have just been appointed to key positions. A frenzy of signatures that raises questions.
Among the promoted, his loyal chief of staff Alex Mubiru has been elevated to head of the representation for Southern Africa in a first wave that concerned a few executives. The latest wave, made public on July 30 while the board of directors has been on leave since July 18, includes positions in several countries. Starting with Ethiopia where the BAD has just signed a $7.8 billion letter of intent with Ethiopian Airlines for the construction of an airport city. In this strategic country, Olajide Oluwaseun Oyewusi, formerly head of division at the presidency – and presented in his CV as a former security agent of the president, or even his aide-de-camp – becomes deputy director general for East Africa and designated country manager.
Other notable promotions:
- Francis Sam Yaya Dogo (Togo) becomes Deputy Director General for Central Africa and country manager in DRC.
- Mohamed Abdalla Cherif (Mauritania), former head in Senegal and Madagascar, also rises in Kinshasa as office head.
- Themba Bhebhe (Zimbabwe), an experienced member, is appointed country manager for Uganda.
- Jemimah Njuki (Kenya), a figure in gender issues, takes the lead of the Gender, Women, and Civil Society department.
- Tom Mboya Owiyo (Kenya) will lead the portfolio and impact execution, a position with vague contours.
- Bahati Sanga (Tanzania) is promoted to director of information systems.
The wave affects all of Africa with new office heads:
- Mozambique: Rômulo Cunha Corrêa (Brazil)
- Niger: Mamadou Tangara (Mali)
- Liberia: Rees Mwasambili (Zambia)
- Togo: Pascal Yembiline (CAR)
- Ghana: Halima Yussuf Hashi (Tanzania)
- Sierra Leone: Andoh Obed Mensah (United States)
- Tanzania: Mary Manneko Monyau (Lesotho)
- Senegal: Wilfrid Paterne Abiola (France)
- Zimbabwe: Eyerusalem Fasika (Ethiopia)
- South Sudan: Josephine Waithira Ngure (Kenya)
- Mali: Cédrique Achille Mbeng Mezui (Gabon)
- Sudan: David Muthusi Mutuku (Kenya)
- Central African Republic: Mamadou Coulibaly (Burkina Faso)
Strong profiles, indeed, but a question remains: why now? “Nothing prohibits it according to the texts,” confides a connoisseur of the BAD, “but tradition dictates that a departing president should act like the Queen of England: farewell speech, thanks to heads of state, and above all, restraint.” And to remind: “Appointing at this stage makes no sense. The probationary period is six months. The successor should have the freedom to form his team.”
In the midst of a transition, this locking of positions is disturbing. The board of directors, on leave since July 18, seems absent, as does Adesina, supposed to enjoy his 40 days of annual leave. His term ends at midnight on August 31, even if his close associates prefer to talk about September 1 at 8 am. In principle, it is a time for handovers, not for last-minute maneuvers. But the outgoing president seems to have chosen to draw a final straight line… in his own way.
