Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi has been elected to lead the African Union.

At a specially held summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, Gaddafi — who has long promoted stronger ties between members of the union — was handed the chairmain’s gavel by outgoing AU leader, Tanzannian president Jakaya Kikwete. Addressing the conference to warm applause, he said the time ahead would be one of ‘serious work’ and ‘action’. Libya’s leader has called for a “United States of Africa” saying that unity is the only way to address the challenges of globalisation, poverty, disease and conflict in the worlds poorest continent. But, South Africa opposes his plans. Among those present was Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe. Some AU members have been pushing for sanctions to be lifted on the impoverished country, since its announcement it is to form a unity government.More about: African Union

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