Dropout clears path for first African head of WTO

The deadlock over the appointment of the new World Trade Organization chief has ended, and Nigeria's Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala looks set to become its first woman, and first African, Director-General. 

Ms Okonja-Iweala said there was vital work ahead, and called on everybody to pull together. 

Her comments came after the South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee withdrew her candidacy following consultations with the US - her main backer - and other countries. 

The process of choosing the new WTO head is done by consensus, and has been deadlocked since October, when the Trump administration in effect blocked the appointment of Ms Okonjo-Iweala.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: WTO