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2mo ago

Djibouti's Mahmoud Ali Youssouf Elected as African Union Commission Chair

The longtime foreign minister secured a two-thirds majority to lead the AU, prioritizing peace and governance challenges across the continent.

Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was elected AU commission chief at a summit in Addis Ababa

Overview

  • Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti's foreign minister since 2005, was elected as the new chair of the African Union Commission during a summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Youssouf defeated prominent candidates, including Kenya's Raila Odinga and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato, in the leadership vote by African heads of state.
  • He will serve a four-year term, succeeding Chad's Moussa Faki Mahamat, who has held the position since 2017.
  • Youssouf emphasized addressing governance issues and prioritizing peace and security, particularly in regions affected by conflicts such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
  • The election comes at a time of significant challenges for the continent, including reduced international development aid and ongoing political instability in several nations.