Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has been elected as the new African Union Commission chairperson. Winning two-thirds of the votes, he succeeds Moussa Faki Mahamat. Youssouf aims to address Africa’s governance challenges, conflicts in Sudan and DR Congo, and the impact of U.S. aid cuts on the continent.
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has been elected as the new chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, securing the support of two-thirds of regional leaders in Addis Ababa. Youssouf, who has served as Djibouti’s top diplomat since 2005, defeated veteran Kenyan politician Raila Odinga to claim the position.
Youssouf, a multilingual diplomat fluent in Arabic, English, and French, is known for his close ties to Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh. His election has been described as a “proud moment for Djibouti and Africa” by Guelleh, who expressed confidence in Youssouf’s leadership and vision for the continent.
As AU Commission chairperson, Youssouf faces major challenges, including addressing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has previously acknowledged governance issues in some African nations, particularly those affected by military coups, and has vowed to prioritize peace and security.
Another pressing issue under his leadership will be the impact of recent cuts in U.S. development aid, which have raised concerns about the future of humanitarian assistance in Africa. Youssouf has refrained from directly commenting on U.S. policies, stating that decisions will be assessed “without prejudice.”
Despite Djibouti being one of Africa’s smallest nations, its strategic location along the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait makes it an influential player in global trade. Youssouf’s tenure at the AU Commission is expected to focus on strengthening regional stability, governance, and economic cooperation across the continent.
