Equatorial Guineatakes over the helm of the African Union

The President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguemais has become the new Chairperson of the African Union (AU). Elected at the last AU summit held in Addis Ababa on 3 February 2011, he succeeded Bingu wa Mautharika, President of Malawi.

President Obiang Nguema has held the Presidency of the West African country since 1979, when he succeeded his uncle. In 2009, at the last presidential election, his share of the vote decreased from 97% to 96.7%.

The third largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, Equatorial Guinea registers an annual per capita income of $31,000, the highest in the region albeit with an average daily income of $1 a day  for the majority of the population.

The AU is currently dealing with a long standing territorial dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, which dates back to the early 1970’s. In recent weeks it played a role in mediations between Laurent Gbago out-going President of the Ivory Coast and Alasane Ouattara, the president elect who has been recognised as such by the international community. But the biggest concern of the AU now seems to be the situation in Libya which has divided it in two camps even though the AU officially supported UN Resolution 1973.

Anna Bates