Elected at the second AU summit in Maputo yesterday, Konare assumed this post after interim AU head Amara Essy pulled out of the race at the eleventh hour, leaving Essy, the former Ivory Coast foreign affairs minister did not cite reasons for his withdrawal.
The former diplomat has been temporarily holding the fort at the Addis Ababa-based organisation following the launch of the AU in Durban last year, to replace the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) founded 40 years ago.
It is said that thirty-five out of 45 countries voted for Konare.
Six nations voted against him while four abstained.
Briefing the media last night after the voting of new commissioners, Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo confirmed that Mr Konare was standing alone and that voting had taken place, resulting in the only candidate elected to the driving seat. Konare will run the day-to-day affairs of the 53-nation continental body backed by Rwandan Patrick Kayumba Mazimhaka, believed to be holding the second most powerful post, beating Zambian Kasuka Simwinji. “The chair of the AU commission has been elected and the deputy chairman has also been elected. We had one candidate for the chairmanship and the one candidate won by more than two thirds,” said Obasanjo. It is still not clear who are the remaining commissioners, who will seat with Konare, whose position is on the level of a secretary general of the continental body. Many believe that Konare, who ruled Mali for two decades and stepped down at the end of his second term, got the nod because he is seen by many African leaders as a well-respected leader in Africa, capable of speaking to them on an equal basis. The AU commission will be responsible for working closely with all AU structures, coordinate and integrate the work of the entire body. Meanwhile, African leaders have begun their second day of the three-day meeting, this morning and are expected to make decisions on wide ranging issues relating to the establishment of key AU institutions. – BuaNews.
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
