Ghanian president looks forward to new role as AU chairman

Jan 29, 2007, 19:50 GMT

Accra - Ghana's President John Agyekum Kufuor, who was elected as African Union (AU) Chairman on Monday, is looking forward to working with his colleagues to tackle the myriad of problems facing the continent, his press secretary Adrew Awuni has said.

Awuni told an Accra radio station that Kufuor, who was chosen as a compromise chairman over Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, was prepared to offer his leadership qualities to move Africa forward.

'He recognises that there are many expectations that the people of Africa have of their presidents and stands prepared to offer his leadership,' Awuni, who is also the presidential spokesman, said.

He said Kufuor would meet and work with his colleagues and committees that have been formed to address issues such as the conflicts in Darfur and Somalia so as to agree on decisions.

Kufuor was unanimously elected by consensus at the eight AU summit which opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He had previously served two terms as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Monday's election is second time Sudanese leader Bashir has been pushed aside for chairmanship of the AU. At the last session, African leaders selected Congo's President Dennis Sassou-Nguesso as a compromise candidate to chair the alliance for one year and then hand over to Bashir.

However, this had depended on Sudan demonstrating progress in bringing peace to Darfur, which has not been done.