Youssouf emerged victorious after a tense seven-round secret ballot, defeating Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Madagascar's former Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato.
The race was highly competitive, with Youssouf initially trailing Odinga in the first two rounds. However, he gained momentum in subsequent rounds and eventually secured the 33 votes needed for victory in the final round, becoming the sole remaining candidate.
The Djiboutian who celebrated his 60th birthday a week ago, replaces Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, who served two terms as AU Commission chief.
His election comes at a crucial time for the African Union, which faces mounting challenges, including military coups in West Africa and ongoing conflicts in eastern Congo.
The AU has often been criticised for its handling of security crises, and Youssouf's leadership will be closely watched as he takes on these pressing issues.
Seasoned diplomat
Born on September 2, 1965, in Djibouti City, Youssouf is a seasoned diplomat with over 30 years of experience in governance and international relations. He has served as Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation since May 22, 2005, making him the longest-serving foreign minister on the continent.
He attended Djibouti High School, where he obtained his baccalaureate in 1985, to Lumière University Lyon 2 in France, where he pursued foreign languages between 1985 and 1990. He later studied business management at the University of Liverpool in 1988 before earning a master's degree in management from Université Laval in Canada in 1995.
Youssouf began his diplomatic career in the 1990s at Djibouti's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he led the Arab Affairs Department. From 1997 to 2001, he served as Djibouti's Ambassador to Egypt. His rise in government continued when he was appointed Minister-Delegate for International Cooperation in 2001, eventually becoming Foreign Minister in 2005.
Over the years, Youssouf has played a pivotal role in shaping Djibouti's foreign policy and strengthening its diplomatic influence.
In 2008, he served as Chairman of the 129th Ordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Arab League. He has also been a key negotiator in regional security matters, particularly concerning the Horn of Africa.
Youssouf's leadership at the AU is expected to focus on strengthening regional security, economic integration, and diplomatic partnerships.
In a 2008 interview with The New York Times, he spoke about Djibouti's strategic importance, expressing ambitions to develop its economy along the lines of Dubai. He argued that Djibouti was even better positioned than Dubai due to its geographical advantage at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
As AUC chairperson, he will be tasked with implementing the AU's Agenda 2063, which aims to transform Africa into a global powerhouse. His diplomatic expertise and extensive experience in foreign affairs will be crucial in navigating the continent's geopolitical landscape.
Personal life
Despite his public prominence, Youssouf maintains a private personal life. He is multilingual, fluent in Arabic, English, and French, but little is known about his family.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/politics-48/article/who-is-mahamoud-ali-youssouf-the-new-au-commission-chair
