ADDIS ABABA: Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf Responds To Reports Of Dropping From The AUC Race

ADDIS ABABA: Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf Responds To Reports Of Dropping From The AUC Race

Only two days before the highly anticipated African Union Commission Chairperson elections, some sources suggest that Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has withdrawn from the contest.

According to Youssouf, reports among Arab media sites indicate he has withdrawn from the contest.

Youssof is regarded as the greatest challenge to Kenya’s nominee, Raila Odinga.

However, in a statement posted on X late Wednesday, Youssouf rejected the media claims and insisted he was still in the contest.

“Incorrect news about my withdrawal from the race to assume the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission was reported in some Arab media outlets; I confirm here that I am still in the competition,” he said. 

خبر غير صحيح بشان انسحابي من السباق لتولي منصب رئيس مفوضية الاتحاد الافريقي ورد في بعض وساءل الإعلام العربية : اوكد هنا انني لا زلت في المنافسة …

— Mahmoud Ali youssouf (@ymahmoudali) February 12, 2025

The reports came after a brief discussion between Yousouf and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in Addis Abeba.

Mudavdi informed Citizen TV that he met and spoke with Yousouf shortly before posing for a photo.

This is the second time Youssouf has been obliged to clarify reports about his withdrawal.

Three weeks earlier, Youssouf was in a similar situation after social media claims surfaced stating that he had withdrawn from the contest in support of Raila.

However, as with the other reports that surfaced today, this was also untrue. Youssouf rejected the reports and stated that he is still in the contest.

According to AFP, the African Union has not received a withdrawal letter from any of the contenders. Youssouf has confirmed that he will remain in the tournament.

Youssouf, Raila, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato are the three contenders running for the AU’s top position.

With the polls scheduled for Saturday, February 15, Raila and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi made last-ditch efforts to rally support for Kenya.

Raila concluded his campaign with a meeting with Burudi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye.

Meanwhile, Mudavadi, who was in Addis Ababa for an African foreign affairs ministers meeting, met with Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita.

Morocco was one of several countries that contributed to Kenya’s defeat in 2017.

How AUC Elections Are Conducted.

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government conducts the AUC Chairperson election using a secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority of qualified member states.

Elections begin with all candidates on the ballot, and voting continues until one secures the necessary majority.

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If no candidate achieves this after three rounds, the next round is limited to the two candidates who received the most votes.

If neither candidate receives the needed majority after three more ballots, the contender with less votes withdraws.

If the surviving candidate fails to win a two-thirds majority, the election is suspended, and the Deputy Chairperson takes over until new elections are held.

The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson must be from different areas, in accordance with the AU’s policy of regional rotation.

ADDIS ABABA: Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf Responds To Reports Of Dropping From The AUC Race