Cyril Ramaphosa takes over rotational chair of African Union in 2020

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been announced as the Chairperson of the African Union for 2020. The 66-year old South Africa's current Head of State has taken over his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is currently serving is term for 2019.

The announcement was made on February 10 at the 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government in Ethiopia's capital city Addis Ababa. The session took place for over two days under the theme - The year of refugees, returnees, and international displaced persons - towards durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa.

"It presents an invaluable opportunity to reflect on and address the root causes of forced displacement in Africa," the Presidency noted, as reported by IOL.

Various subjects and issues were discussed at the meeting such as institutional reform and financing of the continental body, developments related to the African continental free trade area, peace and security on the continent, negotiations for a new cooperation agreement between the African, Caribbean, and Pacific developing countries and the European Union post-2020 etc. South Africa also submitted its Instrument of ratification of the agreement on the African continental free trade area during the summit.