UNECA Official Expects “Consultative” AU Leadership Approach from Mutharika

The director of governance at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa says he expects a change in approach following Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika’s election as chairman of the African Union over the weekend.

31 January 2010

Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika took over from Libyan leader Gaddafi over the weekend as chairman of the African Union

The director of governance at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa says he expects a change in approach following Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika’s election as chairman of the African Union over the weekend.

Okey Onyejekwe expressed the hope that President Mutharika will be “consultative” in leading the continental body.

“My initial reaction was that we had averted what was being speculated, which was the fact that the incumbent chairman was not going to relinquish his post, and it would have become very troublesome for the institution itself. So I’m quite glad that the transition went on smoothly, irrespective of attempts to perpetuate the former chairmanship,” he said.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi who was elected African Union chairman last year, wanted to continue for another year. His bid to stay on ran contrary to an agreement among African leaders that the position should be rotated every year.