By Spy Uganda
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, has been elected Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission after a tense seventh-round vote at the 38th Ordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15, 2025.
The election saw fierce competition, with Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga initially leading in the early rounds.
However, after a prolonged contest, Youssouf secured the support of AU member states, marking a significant diplomatic victory for Djibouti.
During his campaign, Youssouf pledged to prioritize youth employment, the African diaspora, and strong leadership to advance the AU’s mission.
“I will advocate for a collaborative and inclusive approach, celebrating diversity, merit, and skills. Promoting a culture of accountability and transparency will be essential. I will ensure compliance with financial and regulatory rules, along with rigorous accountability for our activities. Effective and accountable governance is key to strengthening our institutional foundations,” he stated.
With over three decades of experience in diplomacy and governance, Youssouf previously restructured Djibouti’s Foreign Ministry, establishing key directorates in communication, legal affairs, and diaspora engagement.
Election Results:
- First Round: Odinga led with 20 votes, followed by Youssouf (18) and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato (10).
- Second Round: Youssouf took the lead with 25 votes, Odinga followed with 21, and two countries abstained.
- Third Round: Odinga was eliminated with 21 votes, while Youssouf increased his tally to 26.
- Final Round: Youssouf secured 33 votes, surpassing the required majority to clinch the chairmanship.
The chairperson is elected by member states, excluding countries under military rule.
A candidate must garner a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. An AUC chairperson is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once.
The seat is held on a rotational basis among the five regions, and this time, the Eastern region is eligible to present a candidate while the Northern region is supposed to present a deputy chairperson.
The new AU chairman will be faced with the enormous task of tackling Africa’s problems ranging from high poverty levels, runaway debt, insecurity, illiteracy and poor health services among others.
