The WHO apparently thought XI was the true variant of concern .. they skipped it when they named the new Africa strain Omicron

The World Health Organization announced Friday it was naming a new Covid-19 variant “Omicron,” skipping over a politically sensitive letter of the Greek alphabet.

The WHO made the announcement about the B.1.1.529 variant out of Johannesburg, South Africa, passing over a letter many observers presumed would be next — “Nu” — as well as the subsequent letter, “Xi,” which composes part of Chinese leader Xi Jinping‘s name.
— Read on www.mediaite.com/news/world-health-organization-skips-greek-letter-xi-in-naming-new-covid-variant/