African Union elects new leader

Mahamoud Ali Youssouf

|Published 12:45 PM ET, Sunday February 16, 2025|

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: On February 15, 2025, during the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, African leaders elected Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Youssouf, who has served as Djibouti’s Foreign Minister since 2005, secured the position after seven rounds of voting, defeating notable candidates such as former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Madagascar’s ex-Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato.

Youssouf brings over three decades of diplomatic experience to the role, including his tenure as Djibouti’s Ambassador to Egypt from 1997 to 2001. He is set to succeed Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, who has led the Commission since 2017. Youssouf’s four-year term will involve addressing pressing challenges such as political instability in West Africa and ongoing conflicts in regions like eastern Congo.

In addition to Youssouf’s election, Algerian diplomat Selma Haddadi was chosen as the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission. This leadership change comes at a critical time, with the AU facing scrutiny over its responses to various armed conflicts across the continent.

The African Union Commission serves as the executive branch of the AU, responsible for implementing decisions and coordinating the bloc’s activities. The Chairperson plays a pivotal role in guiding the AU’s strategic direction and fostering collaboration among member states to promote peace, security, and development across Africa.