Addis Ababa, July 16, 2012 (SPS) - The South African Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma elected Sunday in Addis Ababa during the 19th Summit of Heads of States and Government of the African Union.
The South African, 62 years, elected in a fourth round of voting, where she won 37 votes, more than two-thirds needed according AU Commission election law, beating the Gabonese Dr. Jean Ping, 69 years, who have been on top of the Commission since 2008.
During the first round of the election, Ms. Dlamini-Zuma got 27 votes to 24 for Jean Ping, she also gained 29 votes to 22 for her rivals in the second round, but she won 33 votes to 18 in the third round.
During the fourth and final round, Ms. Dlamini-Zuma, candiadate of the Southern African Development Community, won 37 votes.
51 states Member State of the African Union out of 54 took part at the election, after membership of Madagascar, Mali and Guinea Bissau being suspended due to the changes contrary to the Constitution taking place in these countries.
Ms. Dlamini-Zuma has served as the South African Minister of Interior at the government of Jacob Zuma and a Minister of Foreign Affairs for more than 10 years at the government of the former president Thabo Mbeki. (SPS)
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