Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf elected as new AU Commission Chair

Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has been elected as the new chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), defeating Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in a closely contested vote.

The election, held at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, went through six rounds of voting before Youssouf secured the required two-thirds majority from the 55 member states.

To win the election, a candidate must obtain 66% of the votes, equivalent to support from 32 countries.

The voting showed a tight race that gradually shifted in Youssouf’s favour:

• Round 1: Odinga led with 20 votes, followed by Youssouf with 18, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato with 10
• Round 2: Odinga increased to 22 votes, Youssouf to 19, while Randriamandrato remained at 10
• Round 3: Youssouf took the lead with 23 votes to Odinga’s 20, while Randriamandrato dropped to 5 and was eliminated
• Round 4: Youssouf extended his lead with 25 votes to Odinga’s 21
• Round 5: Youssouf received 26 votes versus Odinga’s 22, leading to Odinga’s elimination
• Round 6: Youssouf secured 33 votes, clinching the chairmanship

Youssouf’s victory was bolstered by support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which includes 27 African countries, and backing from the Arab League and Francophone African nations.

Having been Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister since 2015, his diplomatic experience and fluency in French and Arabic were seen as key advantages.

Odinga, who had been serving as the AU’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development, had received the endorsement of the East African Community (EAC).

Youssouf will succeed Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat, who has led the Commission since 2017. As chair, he will play a crucial role in promoting peace, security, and economic integration across the continent.

Voting Breakdown