On February 15, 2025, during the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, was elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). Youssouf, who has served as Djibouti’s Foreign Minister since 2005, will begin his four-year term in March 2025, succeeding Moussa Faki of Chad, who has held the position since 2017.

The election saw Youssouf competing against notable figures such as Raila Odinga, a former Prime Minister of Kenya, and Richard Randriamandrato, an ex-Foreign Minister of Madagascar. Youssouf secured the leadership after seven rounds of voting, obtaining 33 votes in the final round.

Born on September 2, 1965, in Djibouti City, Youssouf has had a distinguished diplomatic career. He began his service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992, later becoming Djibouti’s Ambassador to Egypt from 1997 to 2001. In 2001, he was appointed Minister-Delegate for International Cooperation, and in 2005, he assumed the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

As the incoming AUC Chairperson, Youssouf faces several pressing challenges, including addressing military juntas in West Africa and violent rebellions in regions like eastern Congo. He has emphasized the importance of African nations taking the lead in resolving security issues and reducing dependence on external entities.

Youssouf’s election has been met with congratulations from leaders across the continent and beyond. Djibouti’s President, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, described the victory as “a proud moment for Djibouti and Africa,” expressing confidence that Youssouf’s leadership will serve the continent with dedication and vision