Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Wins Chairmanship of the African Union Commission

Addis Ababa – Sudanhorizon – Maryam Abshir

Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has won the chairmanship of the African Union Commission after seven rounds of voting, defeating Kenyan candidate Raila Odinga, who was eliminated in the final round.
Youssou secured 33 votes, ensuring his leadership of the Commission in the upcoming term. The election was marked by intense competition, reflecting the political dynamics across the continent.
The closed-door session of the African Union Summit, which followed the open session, witnessed fierce competition between the candidates for the AU Commission chairmanship.
According to Al-Muhaqeq’s coverage, the first round saw Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf receive 18 votes, Kenya’s candidate receive 20 votes, and Madagascar’s candidate trail behind. In the second round, Kenya’s Odinga secured 22 votes, Youssouf received 19 votes, and Madagascar’s candidate obtained 6 votes, leading to the latter’s elimination in the third round. Meanwhile, the Djiboutian and Kenyan candidates tied in votes.
By the fourth round, the Djiboutian candidate, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, pulled ahead of Kenya’s Odinga, securing 25 votes compared to Odinga’s 21 votes. In the fifth round, Youssouf’s votes increased to 26, while Odinga maintained 21 votes.