17 January 2012: The World Bank has announced the appointment of Makhtar Diop, Senegal, as its new Vice President for Africa. He succeeds Obiageli Ezekwesili, who served as the region’s Vice President since 2007.Diop is a former Finance Minister in Senegal and Chair of the West African Monetary Union (WAEMU) Board of Finance Ministers, and has been the World Bank’s Country Director for Brazil since 2009. [World Bank Press Release]