Sudan 'respects' AU leader vote

2012-07-16 16:40

(File, AFP)

Khartoum - Sudan said on Monday it respects the choice of African leaders to elect South Africa's Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as head of the African Union Commission, in a vote which left the continent divided.

"We accept ... and we respect the opinion of the leaders" who elected Dlamini-Zuma as head of the executive body, said Rabbie Abdelatti Ebaid, a senior member of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party.

The crisis between Sudan and South Sudan is a key issue at the summit of AU leaders in Addis Ababa that elected Dlamini-Zuma.

The AU and its mediator Thabo Mbeki, the former South African president, have led months of talks trying to resolve contentious issues between Sudan and South Sudan, which separated last year before coming to the brink of all-out war with the north in April.

Dlamini-Zuma is South Africa's home affairs minister. She won a tightly fought vote on Sunday night to beat the incumbent, Jean Ping of Gabon, becoming the first woman to head the AU Commission.

Some leaders hailed the decision but others criticised South Africa's tactics in having her elected.

- AFP