Mohamoud Ali Youssouf has been elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, defeating Kenya’s Raila Odinga in a closely contested election at the 38th African Union Summit.
Youssouf, Djibouti’s long-serving foreign minister, secured the seat after an intense voting process that spanned multiple rounds.
In the final round, he garnered 33 votes, surpassing Odinga’s tally and solidifying his position as the new head of the AU Commission.
His win marks a new era of leadership for the continental body, with many expecting him to focus on regional integration, economic development, and peacekeeping efforts across Africa.
The election saw fierce competition among three prominent candidates including Kenya’s veteran politician Raila Odinga, Madagascar’s former foreign minister Richard Randriamandrato, and Djibouti’s Mohamoud Youssouf.
Odinga led in the initial rounds, securing 20 votes in the first round compared to Youssouf’s 18, while Randriamandrato trailed with 10 votes. As the voting progressed, Odinga increased his lead to 22 votes in the second round, with Youssouf following closely at 19.
However, momentum shifted in the third round when Youssouf took the lead with 23 votes, pushing Randriamandrato out of the race.
The final round became a direct contest between Odinga and Youssouf. With support consolidating behind Djibouti’s candidate, Youssouf emerged victorious with 33 votes, securing his place as the AU Commission Chairperson.
At 59, Youssouf brings decades of experience to the AU’s top leadership position. Having served as Djibouti’s foreign minister since 2005, he has played a crucial role in regional diplomacy, conflict resolution, and international negotiations.
Alongside Youssouf’s election, Angola’s President João Lourenço has assumed the role of AU Chairperson, adding another layer of leadership change within the continental organization.
Lourenço, known for his efforts in economic reforms and regional diplomacy, is expected to work closely with Youssouf in steering the AU’s agenda forward.
