Sunday 16, Feb 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday congratulated Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on his election as Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
In a statement, President Mohamud emphasized Somalia’s readiness to work closely with Youssouf to advance peace, security, and development across Africa. He also appreciated outgoing Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat’s leadership and dedication to the African Union (AU) during his tenure.
“Congratulations to H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on his election as Chairperson of the AU Commission and thanks H.E. Moussa Faki for his exemplary leadership. We recognize H.E. Raila Odinga for his dedication to regional cooperation. Somalia stands with the AU for a united and prosperous Africa,” President Mohamud said.
The election took place during the AU’s annual summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Youssouf emerged victorious in a highly contested secret ballot. He secured the position after defeating Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato, in multiple rounds of voting.
Youssouf was a close second in the first and second rounds behind Raila. In the following four rounds, Youssouf took the lead until he became the sole candidate in the seventh round, with an unassailable 33 votes needed for victory in the final.
