In a closely contested election for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson position, Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf emerged victorious, defeating Kenya’s Raila Odinga in a seven-round voting process held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Raila’s Strong Start and Narrow Defeat
The election began with Raila Odinga securing an early lead, winning the first two rounds of voting. In the opening round, Odinga garnered 20 votes, edging out Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, who received 18 votes, while Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato secured 10. One nation abstained from voting.
In the second round, Odinga increased his tally to 22 votes, maintaining a narrow lead over Mahamoud’s 19, with Randriamandrato securing 7 votes. Despite these promising results, Odinga’s momentum faltered in subsequent rounds.
Mahmoud Takes the Lead
By the third round, Mahamoud gained the upper hand, securing 23 votes against Odinga’s 20. Randriamandrato was eliminated after finishing with 5 votes. This set the stage for a direct contest between Odinga and Mahamoud.
The fourth round saw Mahamoud solidify his lead with 25 votes compared to Odinga’s 21, alongside one spoilt ballot and an abstention. This trend continued into the fifth and sixth rounds, where Mahamoud consistently outpaced Odinga, securing 26 votes in each round while Odinga managed 21 and 22 votes, respectively.
Final Round Victory
In the decisive seventh round, Odinga was eliminated, leaving Mahamoud as the sole candidate. The Djibouti representative garnered 33 votes, achieving the required two-thirds majority to clinch the AUC Chair seat.
Transition of Leadership
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf will now take over from outgoing AUC Chair Moussa Faki of Chad, who has held the position for the past eight years. The victory underscores Djibouti’s growing influence in African diplomacy and governance.
Kenya’s Response
While Raila Odinga did not secure the position, his performance was widely praised by Kenyan leaders and supporters, who lauded his dedication and effort in representing the nation on the continental stage.
