THE head of the west African regional grouping Ecowas, Lansana Kouyate, is a candidate for the post of Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity, his representative said on Monday. “His candidature for the … top job has been approved by Guinean President Lansana Conte,” said Mohammed Diakite, adding that the OAU secretariat in Addis Ababa had been formally informed of the move. A new OAU chief executive is due to be elected on July 9, in place of Salim Ahmed Salim of Tanzania, who is not seeking re-election but has won widespread respect on the continent and beyond for his work for the pan-African body. Kouyate, 51, has been the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States since September 1997. He was formerly a UN Assistant Secretary General for political affairs for Africa, Asia and Middle East. – AFP