- Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika has become the new head of the African Union (AU) taking over from his Libyan peer Moamer Kadhafi.
Mr Mutharika received the highest continental baton in Addis Ababa at the weekend during the AU Summit, with support from the Southern African bloc leaders.
Known for his anti-corruption drive back in Malawi, the new AU President has accepted the challenge of driving Africa’s quest for development through its own resources.
"Africa is not a poor continent, but the African populations are poor when we have actually a lot of natural resources," he said in his acceptance speech, further reminding that many of the African children were making enormous contributions in the western world through their knowledge, skills and talents.
The 76 years old coming in as the new head of AU has also allayed fears that Mr Kadhafi was trying to run for a second term in the continental leadership under his running banner of the United States of Africa.
Mr Kadhafi has long been criticised quietly on the diplomatic corridors of sometimes taking his powers too far and making unilateral decisions especially when handling crises in the member states.
During his farewell speech, the Libyan leader criticised African leadership saying for as long as the continent does not speak in one voice, it would remain forever under the influence and exploit of the other world powers.
The AU’s presidency is rotational amongst the continental regions on an annual basis.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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