ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — African leaders convened on Saturday in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, to elect the new leader of the African Union (AU) Commission. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the foreign minister of Djibouti, emerged victorious in this pivotal election, defeating notable contenders such as Raila Odinga, a former prime minister of Kenya, and Richard Randriamandrato, an ex-foreign minister of Madagascar. This outcome marks a significant transition for the AU, which encompasses 55 member states.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf will serve a four-year term, succeeding Moussa Faki from Chad, who has led the commission since 2017. Notably, this election was of particular importance for Raila Odinga, an influential political figure in Kenya. The 80-year-old Odinga has campaigned for the presidency of Kenya five times over a period exceeding three decades. He viewed the AU position as his potential final contribution to public service, following a political career that prominently included his tenure as prime minister in 2008, achieved after negotiations to resolve post-election violence that resulted in over 1,000 fatalities in Kenya.
Despite his popularity in Kenya, Odinga's recent political alliance with the current president, William Ruto, has drawn criticism and been perceived by some as a betrayal of his long-standing fight for good governance in the region. The election of Youssouf represents a setback for Odinga as he sought to solidify support both domestically and internationally for his candidacy in a highly competitive environment.
As the new head of the AU Commission, Youssouf confronts a multitude of urgent challenges facing the continent, including the alarming rise of military juntas in West Africa and escalating violence due to a rebellion in eastern Congo. Recently, rebel groups backed by Rwanda have seized control of two major cities in the region, intensifying the need for effective leadership and resolution strategies within the AU.
Youssouf, who has been serving as Djibouti’s foreign affairs minister since 2005, is expected to bring his extensive experience to the role. The AU, often critiqued for its perceived inaction or inadequate responses to ongoing armed conflicts across Africa, will look to Youssouf for robust leadership and proactive engagement to enhance peace and stability on the continent.
