Muammar Gaddafi elected as the Chairman of African Union PDF Print E-mail

2 February 2009 muammar_al_gaddafi.jpg

Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, has been named chairman of the 53-nation African Union. He was elected by the heads of state in a closed-door session, for a one-year period and replaces the Tanzanian President, Mr. Jakaya Kikwete.

Mr. Gaddafi has long promoted stronger union within the organisation and previously outlined his vision for a continent-wide government which includes a single African military force, a single currency and a single passport for Africans to move within the continent.

Qaddafi, 66, is the first North African leader to hold the top post at the AU since it was established in 2002.

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