ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn was elected the African Union chairman on Sunday, taking over the one-year post from Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi.
"It is with a great sense of honour and humility that I accept the chairperson of our union," Hailemariam told leaders at the AU summit meeting. "I wish to express my heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to serve this half-a-century-old organisation for the next one year."