US President George Bush has nominated former US trade envoy Robert Zoellick as the next World Bank president.
Mr Zoellick (53) would succeed Paul Wolfowitz, who is stepping down June 30th after findings by a special bank panel that he broke bank rules when he arranged a hefty compensation package in 2005 for his girlfriend, Shaha Riza, a bank employee.
Tunisian economics expert Rida el Kefi
The controversy led to calls for Mr Wolfowitz to resign from the poverty-fighting institution. A seasoned veteran of politics both inside Washington and on the international stage, Mr Zoellick is known for pulling facts and figures off the top of his head. Mr Bush's selection of Mr Zoellick must be approved by the World Bank's 24-member board.
Some African leader today expressed disappointment at the US decision to nominate Mr Zoellick.
After decades of Americans heading the international lender, many on the world's poorest continent felt their time had come to play a key role - and then been snatched away.
"Look at the United Nations. When Africans had one of their own leading it, they felt so much closer to the organisation," Kenyan political scientist Ludeki Chweya said, referring to Ghana's Kofi Annan, who was UN secretary-general for a decade.
"Such an appointment would give the impression that the Bank might just become a bit more sensitive to the needs and particularities of Africa."
Mr Wolfowitz - already derided by many as a key architect of the Iraq war - stepped down after it was revealed he had authorised a hefty pay rise for his companion.
Despite unwavering support from the White House until the very end, he gave up a weeks-long fight to cling onto his job and tendered his resignation two weeks ago.
Some acknowledged Mr Zoellick would benefit from years of experience negotiating trade deals with developing nations.
"He is a great defender of free trade and in any case he will not be worse than Wolfowitz," Tunisian economics expert Rida el Kefi said.
"He knows the subject. He is a man who is suited to the task, unlike his predecessor."
Others noted Mr Zoellick's diplomatic experience in Africa. As deputy to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice he helped guide the Bush admininstration's strategy on Darfur. But some were angered by what they saw as US arrogance.