Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Elected New Chairperson of African Union Commission
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has been elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the 38th summit in Ethiopia, succeeding Moussa Faki. Selma Malika Haddadi was elected Deputy Chairperson. Youssouf aims to prioritize financial management and stability to address Africa’s pressing challenges, including security and governance issues arising from conflicts in several nations.
At the 38th ordinary summit of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15, 2025, Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, was elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) for a term of four years. He succeeds Moussa Faki from Chad, who had held the position since 2017. Selma Malika Haddadi from Algeria was elected as Deputy Chairperson, further reinforcing the leadership changes within the commission.
Youssouf, who represented East Africa in a highly contested election, secured the necessary 33 votes after seven rounds of voting, surpassing candidates Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar and Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga. Haddadi, too, clinched her position in the seventh round against rivals from Egypt and Morocco, taking over from Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa of Rwanda.
Prior to leading the election race, Odinga was favored to win; he led in the first round before eventually being edged out as Youssouf gained support. The marathon voting session was preceded by the elections of other AUC Commissioners, with Nigeria’s Bankole Adeoye and Ghana’s Amma Twum-Amoah re-elected to their respective positions.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, at 59 years old, has a strong academic background in foreign languages and business management, with experience as Djibouti’s ambassador to Egypt across three administrations. He expressed his priorities for the AUC: “If I am elected (Chairperson) of the African Union Commission, my priority will be financial management and governance,” emphasizing his goals of mobilizing internal funding and promoting stability in Africa.
Youssouf’s leadership comes at a time when the African Union faces significant challenges, including leadership issues and pressing socio-economic problems like terrorism, civil conflicts, and climate change. With ongoing conflicts in several member states, including Somalia and Sudan, the newly appointed leadership has an imperative task ahead to restore governance and peace across the continent.
In conclusion, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti has been elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission, replace Moussa Faki. His election signifies a shift in leadership amidst substantial challenges facing the continent, including internal strife and socio-economic instability. With a strong commitment to financial management and governance, Youssouf aims to mobilize resources and enhance peace-building efforts, supported by the election of Selma Malika Haddadi as Deputy Chairperson.
Original Source: gnnliberia.com
