African Union elects its first female chief: South Africa’s Dlamini-Zuma

A female leader has taken up the top leadership position at the African Union for the first time.

South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Monday took charge of the African Union commission where she will be in charge of peace and security functions and keeping track of the political and economic affairs of the continent.

Dlamini-Zuma was most recently South Africa’s minister of home affairs, and also served as the country’s minister of foreign affairs.

Outgoing AU chair Jean Ping gave the gavel to Dlamini-Zuma during a ceremony at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ping had held the position since 2008.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, who attended the ceremony, wished Dlamini-Zuma good success, but warned that her tasks will be arduous.