The gory activities of? Boko Haram yesterday stopped President Goodluck Jonathan from clinching the chairmanship position of African Union (AU).
Against expectations that the Nigerian president would emerge Chairman of the Africa’s political topmost body, the President of the Republic of Benin, Boni Yayi, was elected the new chairman of the AU and will server for 12 months.
LEADERSHIP gathered that news of insecurity and the mass protests both home and abroad that trailed the removal of fuel subsidy played major roles in turning down the choice of Jonathan as the AU Chairman.
The newly -elected chairman an economist, in his acceptance speech, however, promised support for Jonathan and Nigeria in tackling the terrorism problem which the country currently faces.
Yayi, whose emergence as AU helmsman was announced at the 18th ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia , added that he was prepared to consolidate on the good works being done by the AU particularly in the areas of integration and peace in the region.
Yayi was elected alongside Yoweri Museveni of Uganda as the vice- chairman while the second Vice -chairman of the AU which was slated for North Africa was given to Moncef Marzouki of Tunisia.
Jacob Zuma of South Africa took the slot of third vice Chairman of the union.