Kagame, Talon endorse World Bank chief for second term

Rwanda and Benin have joined a growing list of countries that have endorsed World Bank president Jim Yong Kim for a second term after his tenure ended in June. 

President Paul Kagame announced his endorsement together with his Benin counterpart Patrice Talon during the latter's three-day visit to Rwanda. 

Both leaders painted a glowing picture of the South Korean, praising him for being committed to the progress and stabilisation of the Great Lakes region since assuming office in 2012. 

 “He (Kim) is passionate about the work at hand. We fully support him,” Mr Kagame told a press conference, with Mr Talon adding that: “Dr Kim merits our trust. This is an opportunity to express our support to his candidacy.” 

 A statement from the Rwandan government Thursday said that both Rwanda and Benin recognise the achievements of Dr Kim during the last four years, noting that he has strived to make the World Bank a “partner of choice for African countries.”

 "The Bank also took the lead in the response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, through a multinational, multifaceted and localised approach,” the statement reads. 

The World Bank currently runs 12 national projects in Rwanda with net commitment of $881 million, and five regional projects valued at $119 million. As of March 2016, the World Bank approved $4.27 billion in lending to 51 projects in sub-Saharan Africa. 

 He has also received endorsements from the US, Germany and China, and has been described as a “lightning rod” for the World Bank by UK's Financial Times. 

Dr Kim’s biggest challenge so far has come from his own staff. Early last month, the World Bank staff association requested for an international search for a new president, citing a “crisis of leadership” at the bank.