Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the new Chairman of the African Union Commission
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has extended his congratulations to Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on his election as Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission. The announcement came on Saturday following the conclusion of the AU’s annual summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Youssouf emerged victorious in a closely contested election.
“My congratulations to our new AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf who emerged victorious from among a distinguished group of Eastern African leaders, all of whom did Africa proud. I also congratulate Selma Malika Haddadi on her election as AUC Deputy Chairperson. I wish them both success in their new roles”, President Kagame said via X.
President Kagame also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, for his years of dedicated service and leadership at the African Union.
“My sincere gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, who embodied in word and deed the promise of African unity. His dedication to promoting peace and prosperity has fostered stronger partnerships among our nations. He leaves behind a fundamentally reformed Union”, President Kagame added.
The election process saw multiple rounds of voting before Youssouf secured victory. Initially, Raila Odinga led in the first two rounds, with Youssouf closely trailing. However, as the voting progressed, Youssouf gained momentum, surpassing his competitors and securing the required 33 votes in the seventh round. His victory marked a significant political shift, as he defeated strong contenders, including Odinga and Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
Youssouf’s election as the AU Commission Chair is expected to bring a new strategic direction to the organization, with a focus on strengthening Africa’s diplomatic and economic ties, enhancing regional stability, and addressing pressing security concerns. His extensive experience as Djibouti’s Foreign Minister has positioned him as a key figure in African diplomacy, making his leadership a pivotal development for the continent’s future. (Fin)