Egypt’s El Sisi elected new chairman of Africa Union

Muscat: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi was elected the new Chairman of the African Union at the continental body’s summit in Ethiopia.
El Sisi takes over from Rwandan strongman Paul Kagame. The Egyptian leader will be succeeded by Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, in 2020.
Chairman are elected to one-year terms as part of assembly elections. Four Vice Chairpersons were are also elected.
Joining Ramaphosa, the other three Vice Chairpersons were announced as Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of the Niger; and Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda.
The event welcomed leaders from across the world as well as Microsoft Founder Bill Gates and FIFA Chairman Infantino.
Speaking at the event, UN Secretary General António Guterres stated, “Finding durable solutions to the challenges related to forced displacement is the theme of this #AUSummit.
Universal health care
“African leadership, vision and compassion for migrants, refugees & displaced persons should be an inspiration to all. A peaceful & prosperous future for all Africans is good for everyone everywhere,” he added.
During the event, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation also called for universal health care in the region.