Mahmoud Ali Youssouf Elected as AU Commission Chairperson, Defeating Raila Odinga

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti won the AU Commission chairpersonship, defeating Kenya’s Raila Odinga by securing 33 votes. He will take over from Moussa Faki Mahamat for a four-year term and faces numerous challenges, including youth unemployment and terrorism. Selma Malika from Algeria was elected as Deputy Chairperson, reinforcing AU leadership.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti has triumphed over Kenya’s Raila Odinga to secure the role of chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission during the 2025 elections held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At 59 years old, Mr. Youssouf, who has served as Djibouti’s foreign minister since 2005, achieved a notable victory by garnering 33 votes, surpassing the two-thirds majority needed for election.

Mr. Youssouf will succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad and will oversee AU initiatives for a four-year term. In a parallel election, Selma Malika from Algeria was elected as Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission. The AU extended congratulations to Ms. Malika via Twitter, expressing confidence in her leadership abilities.

As Mr. Youssouf embarks on his new role, he faces significant challenges, including youth unemployment, terrorism, and the ongoing instability in the Sahel region due to intermittent military coups. His leadership will be pivotal in addressing these critical issues facing the continent.

In addition to the election outcomes, there were various political and health updates reported, including the Nigerian government’s efforts to address agricultural financing and the alarming statistic that children constitute 7.2% of annual cancer cases in Nigeria, highlighting public health concerns that need urgent attention.

In summary, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has been elected as the new chairperson of the African Union Commission following his victory over Raila Odinga. His term commences amidst various challenges that require immediate action, including employment and security issues in Africa. The election of Selma Malika as Deputy Chairperson further strengthens the leadership of the AU as they work to address critical continental issues.

Original Source: gazettengr.com