Mutharika is new AU chairman

  1. Posted on Monday 1 February 2010 - 09:00
    Sam Banda Junior
    Image of Sam Banda Junior
    Sam Banda Jnr, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi
    Malawi's president Bingu Wa Mutharika has been elected Africa Union chairman taking over from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi at a Summit taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Gaddafi failed in his attempt to stay on as chairman of AU for another year after African leaders opted to give the seat to the Malawi leader.
    Bingu wa Mutharika
    Media reports in Malawi have described Mutharika's election as good for the country and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

    In his acceptance speech, Mutharika described the year 2010 as the time for the African continent to develop.

    “Although Africa faces enormous challenges, time has come for Africa to develop. Let us use this moment to rise," said Mutharika.

    Gaddafi who was elected chairman of the 53-nation AU at its annual summit last year, despite strong opposition from some African leaders, and diplomats said he was seeking another term.

    A Reuters report said the chairmanship is usually decided on a regional, rotating basis and this year was the turn of Southern Africa.

    Gaddafi used his farewell speech to again urge African leaders to begin the process of political unification.

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