New Chairperson for African Union Commission (AUC) elected today
Omer Redi
February 01, 2008
The Summit underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia has accordingly elected Jean Ping, Vice Prime Minster of The republic of Gabon, to replace to outgoing AUC Chairperson Professor Alpha Oumar Konare.
Initially there were six candidates running for the position, of whom the candidate from Sierra Leon has voluntarily resigned.
Many have suggested that Jean Ping´s effective lobbying across the continent prior to the election has enabled him win the hearts of more than 40 heads of states and government of African countries, gathered in Addis Ababa, to come out as their favourite person for the position.
Following the announcement of Jean Ping´s victory, one of his contenders Zambian Ambassador to Washington Dr Inonge Mbikusith told journalists that she wishes him all success in his endeavors.
Dr Inonge Mbikusith whose government is said to feel that she is the right candidate to replace Professor Konare and meets AU´s requirements for the kind of leadership it is looking for, and who has earlier been described by Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga J. Pande as on of the AUC Chairmanship hopefuls, also pledged to back the new AUC Chairperson.
In case you are snooping, Omer Redi is a Web Journal Deputy Editor in Chief and Web Master for a renowned wire media in Addis Ababa and frequently contributing author for American Chronicle. He welcomes requests from media within and outside Ethiopia which wish to have him as freelance writer on issues on Ethiopia, African Union (AU) - which is based in Addis Ababa near to Omer´s place- as well as the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
Omer would also be covering the 10th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place from 31st January – 2nd February 2008, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
January 2008©Omer Redi
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