Malawi’s president is elected leader of the African Union, replacing Libya’s Gadhafi

Malawi’s president elected African Union leader

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Malawi’s president has been elected as leader of the African Union, a position held by the eccentric dictator Moammar Gadhafi of Libya for the last year.

Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika was selected by the continental body at its annual summit Sunday. The chairmanship of the African Union is a rotating position held by heads of state for one year and gives the holder some influence over the continent’s politics but carries no real power.

The AU’s chairmanship rotates among Africa’s regions, with North Africa chairing for the past year.

Meetings to select the chairman are held in private. The leader is usually nominated and then chosen by consensus. AU officials would not give further details of the proceedings.