<Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> www.au.int/en </Td> </Tr> <P> The Chairman of the African Union is the ceremonial head of the African Union elected by the Assembly of Heads of State for a one - year term . It rotates among the continent's five regions . </P> <P> In 2002, South African President Thabo Mbeki served as the inaugural chairman of the union . The post rotates annually amongst the five geographic regions of Africa; and over the years it has assumed the following order: East, North, Southern, Central and West Africa . </P> <P> In January 2007, the assembly elected Ghanaian President John Kufuor over Sudan's President Omar al - Bashir due to the ongoing Conflict in Darfur . The government of Chad threatened to withdraw its membership if Sudan assumed the chair . Some had suggested Tanzania as a compromise candidate from the East African region . By consensus, Ghana was elected instead as it was celebrating its 50th independence anniversary that year . </P>

Which south african recently held a high position in the african union