Political leadership crisis over disputed elections in Madagascar almost a year ago, have now robbed the Indian Island an opportunity to host next year's annual African Union (AU) summit.

Madagascar was next on the line to host Africa's leaders for their annual gathering that has also become a tourism boost for host nations.

However, AU's newly elected chairperson Joaquim Chissano, also Mozambican President, announced last night that the 53 member nations mandated the organisation to hold its next summit in Ethiopia, which is also the AU's headquarters.

President Chissano took over from South African President Thabo Mbeki, whose country hosted the inaugural AU summit in Durban last year.

President Mbeki had earlier on welcomed the return of Madagascar into the AU. President Marc Ravalomanana and his delegation represented his country during the summit after Madagascar was suspended for a year following a protracted dispute over the results of the country's general elections.

Addressing the media for the first time as the new AU chairperson, President Chissano said the change of venue for the next summit was influenced by political events in Madagascar.

AU's summits are well attended unlike its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity whose summits were primarily attended by heads of state, some of whom failed to pitch up.

The 10-day AU summit has continuously recorded an increasing number of attendances following its open-door policy that includes public and community bodies and delegates representing numerous international institutions and countries. This in turn created massive opportunities for local businesses like hotels, car rentals, food and clothing and entertainment outlets, public and private transport operators and other service providers. Emerging small businesses such as street shoe polishers, market vendors and home owners, willing to rent out their homes as self catering guest houses for delegates also cash during the once in a while event.

The host country also take adavantage of the presence of foreign leaders to further profile and sell their country to the traveling African delegates, who now prefer to have the a single currency to of strengthen the continent developing economies. Mozambique's government and tourism authorities yesterday took journalists on a free promotional tour around Maputo as part of marketing effort by the east African nation. –BuaNews.