The only leader Zimbabwe has known since independence from Britain in 1980 assumed the largely ceremonial role when he was handed the AU flag and gavel at a summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

In his acceptance speech, Africa's oldest head of state spoke of the need to guard against foreigners exploiting the continent's mineral wealth and called for more assistance for African farmers.

"African resources should belong to Africa and to no one else, except to those we invite as friends. Friends we shall have, yes, but imperialists and colonialists no more,” he said, to applause from his peers. In some corners, Mugabe is feted as a nationalist hero who triumphed over colonial power Britain on the battlefield and at the ballot box, and who remained steadfast in his commitment to the promotion of black African power in the 34 years since.

"Zimbabwe is an important member state, a very committed country," Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra told Reuters on the sidelines of the summit. (…)

Some Western nations were "not thrilled" about Mugabe's appointment, a Western diplomat who follows African affairs said, though adding that it would not disrupt relations with the AU. "We are working with the African Union regardless of the president," the diplomat added.

As AU chairman, Mugabe can influence topics for debate although other leaders and commissions also frame discussions. Piers Pigou, southern Africa director for the International Crisis Group think tank, said the continent needed to show it was improving the quality of its democracies, but that it was not only Mugabe who was likely to dodge such questions.

"Which African leader, if they were made chairperson of the AU, would stick their neck out and push such an agenda?”

BY EDMUND BLAIR

 (Additional reporting by Chris Chinaka; Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by James Macharia/Mark Heinrich)