Against the demand made by the US , African leaders felt that to do otherwise would be to undermine the Bank (a pride for all of Africa) and its long and hard-earned reputation, as well as that of its President.

In showing everyone the way forward in this matter, the African leaders are of the view that differences may arise but urge "all shareholders to work together...with mutual respect and respect the rules and procedures of the Bank and of its governance systems that have served it well for 56 years. No nation, no matter how powerful, has veto power over the African Development Bank, and no nation should have such power”.

In short, and in view of the current health emergency, the former leaders found that Africa is fighting against Covid-19 and that the Bank and its president must not be distracted.

Supporters are former Presidents of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan as well as 13 other former African leaders who are Yayi Boni from Benin, Hailemariam Desalegn from Ethiopia, John Kufour from Ghana, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from Liberia, Joyce Banda from Malawi , Joaquim Chissano from Mozambique.

Other former leaders are Tandja Mamadou of Niger, Mohamed Marzouki of Tunisia, Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, Ameenah Gurib-Fakin of Mauritius, Rupiah Banda of Zambia, Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.