Mauritania has been elected the new Chairperson of the African Union with President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz taking over from Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia. The election took place
at the ongoing 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU.
The result of the election was announced on Thursday in Addis Ababa during the opening session of the AU summit.
Other countries elected into the AU Bureau for one year included Zimbabwe, which was elected as first Vice President, Democratic Republic of Congo, second Vice President; and Nigeria, third Vice President.
In his acceptance speech, Aziz pledged to promote the objectives of the continental body, and commended the out-gone president for strengthening the role of Africa in the world.
He also praised African leaders for their `tireless efforts’ in ensuring that Africa took its rightful place in the world.
“I am deeply honoured to be the chairperson of AU; this, for me, is a mark of confidence which I truly appreciate,” he said.