MAHAMOUD YOUSSOUF: Full Portfolio Of Raila’s Main Rival For The AUC Chair Race
Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf could be Raila Odinga’s main challenger for the Africa Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.
Raila will face Youssouf, Mauritius’ Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato in the February election next year.
Somalia’s Fawzia Yusuf Adam dropped out of the race early last month to support Raila.
She was reportedly asked to step down in favour of Youssouf.
Moussa Faki of Chad, the current chairperson, is serving his final term after being reelected on February 2, 2021. He was first elected in 2017.
I am Touring the region for the sake of my campaign to promote my candidature as the next President of the A.Union Commission . pic.twitter.com/xSuf7YBDMO
— Mahmoud Ali youssouf (@ymahmoudali) August 20, 2024
Youssouf has presented himself as the only candidate capable of bridging the gap between various African regions and resolving conflicts in some countries due to his ability to communicate in multiple languages.
He speaks fluent English, French, and Arabic. The African Union’s official languages include Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Kiswahili, and any other African languages.
Youssouf was born in Djibouti on September 2, 1965, and received his primary education there before continuing his education abroad.
He has extensive experience with diplomacy and international relations.
His academic background includes studies in linguistics, business, and management in France, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
He was appointed ambassador to Egypt in 1997 after serving as the head of Arab affairs at Djibouti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1992.
In 2001, he returned to his home country and was elected minister-delegate in charge of international cooperation.
He was appointed minister in May 2005 and continues to hold that position today.
If elected, Youssouf has pledged to reform the AUC in terms of personnel, funding, and task allocation among regional economic communities.
Official submission of the🇩🇯 candidature in the name of the Minister of F.A and Int Coop @ymahmoudali for the post of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to my Mauritius colleague, Dean of our Region on the 05th/07and to the Legal Counsel of the AUC today 29 July 2024 pic.twitter.com/stf3D294Wd
— Amb Abdi Mahamoud Eybe (@EybeAbdi) July 29, 2024
He has also stated his commitment to ensuring the success of continental free trade, a common market for air transport, and the promotion of peace and stability.
Youssouf’s agenda focuses on reforming the AUC, advancing continental trade agreements, and strengthening AU relationships with the EU and China.
He stated that such ties would allow the AU to play a larger role in the international arena.
He also intends to amplify the voices of youth and women within the AU.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has decided to support Youssouf, which is likely to give Raila a run for his money.
The resolution was reportedly passed by OIC Foreign Ministers in Cameroon.
Djibouti’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, announced on X that the ministers adopted the resolution during their session from August 29 to August 30.
At least 27 OIC members are from Africa. Niger, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Mali are, however, suspended from the AU.
The AUC votes by secret ballot, with the winner receiving at least two-thirds of the votes from the member states.
This is the equivalent of 36 votes from the heads of state of the 55 countries that comprise the AU. The language is also expected to have an impact on the race’s voting patterns.
The continent contains 21 Francophone (French-speaking) countries and 24 English-speaking nations. Djibouti’s primary languages are French and Djibouti.
MAHAMOUD YOUSSOUF: Full Portfolio Of Raila’s Main Rival For The AUC Chair Race
