The Ethiopian Herald (Addis Ababa)

January 25, 2006, ENA, Addis Ababa

The sixth AU regular summit held for two days in Khartoum, Sudan concluded yesterday.

The AU summit has accepted in principle the proposal made by the Sudan for the establishment of the African Cultural, Scientific, and Educational Organization and decided that its headquarters be in Khartoum.

The AU summit also decided Congo Brazzaville to host the next AU summit, Ethiopian Television journalist reported from Khartoum.

The summit also picked yesterday, Congo Republic to head the African Union, Reuters reported from Khartoum.

Under a compromise deal, Sudan takes over leadership of the Pan-African body after Congo Republic steps down next year.

"They are all congratulating the Congolese president now," a delegate told Reuters from inside the hall where heads of state and foreign ministers met yesterday.

Shortly after the decision was announced in the hall, Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso took the chair from outgoing president, Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo, who has held the post for nearly two years.

The summit had discussed the possibility of extending Nigeria's term, but some African nations were wary of breaking a tradition of a rotating presidency.