Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf has been elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) after securing 33 votes, ushering in a new chapter for the continental body’s leadership.
The highly contested election, conducted during the African Union Summit, saw Youssouf triumph over Kenya’s Raila Odinga and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato after multiple rounds of voting.
The competition for the top seat was fierce, with Odinga initially leading in the first two rounds. He garnered 20 votes in the opening round, ahead of Youssouf with 18 votes and Randriamandrato with 10 votes. In the second round, Odinga extended his lead with 22 votes, followed by Youssouf with 19 votes, while Randriamandrato managed 7 votes.
As the voting progressed, the momentum shifted. By the third round, Youssouf overtook Odinga with 23 votes against 20, while Randriamandrato secured only 5 votes, prompting his elimination in subsequent rounds.
In round four, Youssouf widened his lead with 25 votes, while Odinga trailed with 21 votes. The trend continued into the fifth and sixth rounds, with Youssouf securing 26 votes and 22 votes, respectively, against Odinga’s 21 votes in both rounds.
Following his defeat in the sixth round, Odinga withdrew from the race, paving the way for Youssouf to clinch the chairmanship in the seventh round with the required 33 votes.
Mahmoud Youssouf succeeds Moussa Faki Mahamat, who has led the AUC since 2017.
At 59 years old, Youssouf is a seasoned diplomat, having served as Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2005. Fluent in French, English, and Arabic, he brings extensive knowledge of African Union institutions.
His tenure comes at a pivotal moment as Africa seeks economic self-reliance through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Additionally, he faces pressing challenges, including regional conflicts and Africa’s role in global diplomacy, which will be key priorities under his leadership.
