Mugabe takes over as AU chairman

African leaders meeting in Addis Ababa choose the continent's oldest head of state, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, as chairman of the AU for the coming year.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe took over the post of African Union (AU) chairman on Friday, replacing Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

Mugabe, Africa's oldest president aged 90, shook hands with Abel Aziz in front of fellow leaders to applause at the AU summit in the Ethiopian capital.

"By electing me to preside over this august body, with full knowledge of the onerous responsibility that lies ahead, I humbly accept your collective decision," Mugabe said, as he thanked leaders for granting him the position.

Mugabe, a former liberation war hero who is Africa's third-longest serving leader, is viewed with deep respect by many on the continent.

But he is also subject to travel bans from both the United States and European Union in protest at political violence and intimidation.