Djibouti’s Overseas Affairs Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, has been elected as the brand new Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission after a heated contest that prolonged right into a seventh spherical of voting.
Regardless of trailing Kenya’s Raila Odinga within the early rounds, Youssouf staged a robust comeback, in the end securing 33 votes to surpass the required majority and declare victory.
Having served as Djibouti’s Overseas Minister since 2005, Youssouf now steps in to switch Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat for a four-year time period. With in depth diplomatic expertise—together with roles as Djibouti’s ambassador to Egypt and ministerial positions underneath three completely different presidents—his management on the AU is anticipated to be influential.
Right here is how the vote unfolded:
Spherical 1: Odinga took an early lead with 20 votes, adopted by Youssouf with 18 and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato with 10.
Spherical 2: Youssouf gained floor with 25 votes, whereas Odinga held 21, and two international locations abstained
Spherical 3: Odinga remained at 21 votes, whereas Youssouf climbed to 26, edging nearer to the required threshold. Odinga was subsequently eradicated.
Closing spherical: Youssouf secured 33 votes, sealing the win
His victory marks a big second for Djibouti, a small but strategically necessary nation within the Horn of Africa. As AU Fee Chair, Youssouf is anticipated to play an important function in shaping Africa’s diplomatic and developmental agenda over the following 4 years.
