Gilbert Houngbo Elected First African ILO Director General.
RE: GILBERT HOUNGBO ELECTED FIRST AFRICAN ILO DIRECTOR GENERAL
Bro. Gilbert Houngbo has been elected as the first African International Labour Organization Director General today during the 344th session of the ILO Governing Body. The former Togo Prime Minister who has the support of Workers has a decisive win in an election that attracted four other candidates from France, South Korea, South Africa and Australia.
As COTU (K) we associate with his candidate and take great pride in it considering the COTU (K) Secretary General Bro. Dr. Francis Atwoli, together with other select trade unionists from Africa, led the global onslaught campaign that ensured his victory.
This is a great milestone not only for Africans for having its first ILO Director General since the formation of ILO in 1919 but also for workers globally considering Bro. Gilbert was a workers’ candidate.
With this victory, and considering Kenyan workers through COTU (K) are supporting the Azimio la Umoja campaign in Kenya, Bro. Atwoli has equally called on workers to remain united and peaceful whilst preparing for another major and historic victory come August general elections.
Adams S. Barasa
INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL
