US congratulates election of Congo president as AU chairman

Jan 25, 2006 (WASHINGTON) — The United States congratulates the Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou-Nguesso on his election as chairman of the African Union (AU), the State Department said in a statement on Wednesday.

“With the selection of President Sassou-Nguesso, the African Union has sent a clear signal to the world that it will uphold high standards for its organization. We commend the African Union on its decision,” the statement said.

The United States looks forward to working with the AU and President Sassou-Nguesso who has identified conflict prevention and promotion of peace as his primary focus, the statement said.

To the welcome of the United States, African leaders has persuaded Sudan, a country disliked by the United States, not to assume the rotating one-year AU presidency and chose the Republic of Congo to lead the AU instead.

(Xinhua)