The World Bank has roared against corruption in Africa for years but its credibility has been badly mauled by the favoritism scandal that sent the bank's U.S. chief Paul Wolfowitz limping off into retirement.
Governments in Africa, whose reputation for corruption goes hand in hand with its status as the world's poorest continent, had grown used to being lectured by World Bank delegations, some headed by "Wolfie" himself, about good governance and transparency.
After weeks of wrangling, Wolfowitz resigned as World Bank president on Thursday over a row triggered by his involvement in a highly paid promotion for his companion.
Not surprisingly, the foot-dragging exit of the American head of the global aid body provoked a heavy measure of grim satisfaction across Africa, where sharing out jobs to family and friends is widely seen as a perk of office at all levels.
"He was not practicing what he preached," said Charles Mugabo, an Internet cafe manager in Burundi's capital Bujumbura.
"How can you be lecturing Africa about corruption while you're using World Bank money to give your girlfriend a pay rise?," said Dick Musisi Mpiima, Chairman of the Uganda Exporters, Importers and Traders Association.
"Its integrity is at stake," said Maxwell Mkwezalamba of the World Bank, an African Union commissioner for economic affairs, speaking on the sidelines of a business forum in Nairobi.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070518/wl_nm/worldbank_wolfowitz_africa_dc
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