The United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, on Tuesday had a discussion with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, over the crisis rocking the African Development Bank (AfDB) among others.
In a statement by the Office of the US Department of State Spokesperson, Morgan Ortagus, Pompeo called Onyeama to discuss the allegations of impropriety levelled against the President of the AfDB, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.
He noted that both countries agreed that transparency and accountability in the investigation would drive democratic and inclusive development.
Ortagus added that Pompeo and Onyeama also discuss the role of the bank in helping African countries recover from the ravaging effect of COVID-19 and regional security
Ortagus added that they talked about Nigeria’s progress in fighting COVID-19 and the $30 million US assistance that has helped to strengthen the nation’s public health and humanitarian response.
The statement said the US also condoled with Nigeria over last week’s Islamic State of West Africa attacks in the North-East which claimed many lives.
It read, “Secretary Pompeo expressed condolences for the loss of life in recent ISIS West Africa attacks in the northeast, and the two discussed Nigeria’s ongoing civilian protection and counter-terrorism efforts.
“Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Onyeama reviewed Nigeria’s progress in fighting COVID-19 and the $30 million in recent U.S. assistance that has helped to strengthen Nigeria’s public health and humanitarian response.”
“They also discussed the African Development Bank and the constructive role of multilateral initiatives in accelerating economic recovery and regional security, and they agreed that transparency and accountability will drive democratic and inclusive development,” the statement added.
