‘It is a very heavy responsibility’ – Mahmoud Youssouf breaks silence after beating Raila in AUC chairmanship race
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti, the newly elected chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on Sunday, February 16, 2024, acknowledged a heavy task ahead of him after winning in the highly contested race.
In a statement, Ali Youssouf indicated that he was fully aware of the trust African presidents had placed in him by picking him to steer the continent’s agenda taking over from Moussa Faki.
The new AUC chairperson vowed to advance Africa’s agenda while pushing for continental unity.
“The decision of our African heads of state has been made: they have entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the AU. It is a very heavy responsibility, and I am aware of its importance: I commit to working to advance the continental agenda: thank you all for your constant support,” Ali Youssouf shared on X.
Ali Youssouf also extended his appreciation for his supporters who believed and backed him throughout the campaign period and wished for God’s guidance in his new task.
“Thank you to all of you for your unwavering support: we made it together. I am humbled and overwhelmed. May God help me to serve the continent and our African peoples,” he added.
La décision de nos chefs d’état africains est tombée : ils m’ont confié la charge de diriger la CUA . C’est une très lourde responsabilité et j’en mesure l’importance : je m’engage à œuvrer pour faire avancer l’agenda continental : merci à tous pour votre soutien constant .
— Mahmoud Ali youssouf (@ymahmoudali) February 16, 2025
Djibouti President
Ismail Omar Guelleh, Djibouti’s President also appreciated African heads of state entrusting Ali Youssouf with that AUC post. He emphasised that their vote was a testament to the role the East African country plays in the continent.
“I would like to warmly thank you for the trust you have placed in our candidate, in his personality, and in his skills. Your support is a testament to the recognition of the role that Djibouti can play for our continent,” his statement read in part.
President Ismail Omar Guelleh went on to extend his hand to Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato who lost the race to Ali Youssouf.
“I salute all those who took part in this election, particularly Raila Odinga and Richard Randriamandrato. The diversity of ideas strengthens our Union. We extend our hand to everyone to move forward together, in unity and solidarity.”
Voting breakdown
In the first round of voting, Raila of Kenya led with 20 votes, closely followed by Mahmoud Ali Youssouf with 18 votes.
Madagascar’s candidate received 10 votes, while one member state abstained.
In the second round, Odinga gained 22 votes, Youssouf 19 votes, and Madagascar’s support dwindled to 7 votes.
By the third round, Youssouf took the lead for the first time, securing 23 votes against Odinga’s 20, while Madagascar’s candidate fell to just five votes and was subsequently eliminated.
This narrowed the competition down to a two-horse race between Djibouti and Kenya.
In the fourth round, Youssouf extended his lead with 25 votes to Odinga’s 21, with two abstentions and two spoiled ballots.
The gap widened further in the fifth round, with Youssouf earning 26 votes compared to Odinga’s 22, while one state abstained. Raila was then eliminated.
In the final round, Youssouf clinched victory by securing the majority needed for the AUC chairmanship, marking a significant diplomatic achievement for Djibouti.
