News
African Union elections rescheduled for June
African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping. PHOTO/File
Following a deadlock during Monday’s African Union (AU) elections, with a tie between former wife to South African president Jacob Zuma, Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and current and outgoing chairperson, Jean Ping of Gabon, the caucus agreed to meet in Malawi in June for a decider.
Attended strictly by the heads of states and government and two representatives from each nation, the elections found went for three rounds showing a slender lead by Ping to lead the continent’s top most influential Commission in the 55-strong nation union. The elections were held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Dlamini-Zuma, 63, dished out campaign leaflets pledged she would not spare any effort in building on the work of the African women and men see the AU turn into a formidable force.
None of the two top contestants held a required three thirds majority of the vote taking place behind closed doors for the second and last day of the of the summit.
Zambian president, Michael Sata announced the move to Lilongwe, after the intense campaigning overshadowed other summit business in the two days of intra-Africa trade talks.
Ping, 69, said he was hopeful for re-election.
Malawi is however in a race for time to finalize the construction of the International Conference Centre (ICC) and presidential villas in time for the June summit.
