Addis abeba [Financila times]- African leaders thwarted an attempt yesterday by Muammer Gaddafi, Libya’s leader, to extend his controversial chairmanship of the African Union for a second year, electing instead the president of Malawi.

Col Gaddafi has used his position as chairman of the organisation of 53 African states to promote the creation of a “United States of Africa”, but has also infuriated African diplomats with his unilateral interventions during crises. Political leaders on the continent have also fretted about the damage his chairmanship has done to the AU’s reputation, sidelining him by sending other African representatives to the G8 and G20 summits last year.

He was outmanoeuvred yesterday at the opening of this year’s African Union summit when southern Africa grouped behind the candidacy of Bingu wa Mutharika, the Malawian president, and other African states fell into line.

Col Gaddafi’s last ditch attempt to override AU procedures, which allow for the chairmanship of the AU to rotate between regional blocks on an annual basis, highlighted another controversial aspect of his tenure.

When Omar Bongo of Gabon died earlier this year, the Libyan leader inherited the position of longest serving leader in Africa, having been in power since 1969. His status as an unrepentant coup leader jarred with the AU’s increasingly tough position on unconstitutional change of power in the continent.

African diplomats say his interventions in Guinea, Madagascar and Mauritania, among other crises, undermined regional efforts to persuade unelected governments to restore constitutional rule.

Jean Ping, the AU chairman, stressed in remarks to the summit yesterday that the union was committed to a strong line against coups and said progress was being made, with international backing, in re-establishing legitimate governments in Guinea, Mauritania and Madagascar.

Col Gaddafi retains considerable influence in Africa thanks partly to the oil wealth at his disposal.

Speaking to the summit in a farewell address, he said Africa would remain vulnerable to efforts by other world powers to carve up its resources and ineffectual in promoting African interests so long as it did not speak with one voice.