ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — In a significant decision at the African Union (AU) summit held in Ethiopia’s capital, leaders elected Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the foreign minister of Djibouti, as the new head of the commission overseeing the AU.
Youssouf emerged victorious in a competitive election, overcoming notable contenders including Raila Odinga, a former prime minister of Kenya, and Richard Randriamandrato, a former foreign minister of Madagascar.
The African Union is comprised of 55 member states, with the commission’s leader selected by presidents or heads of state, functioning as the chief executive within the AU’s secretariat based in Addis Ababa.
Youssouf will begin his four-year term, taking over the position from Chad’s Moussa Faki, who has been in office since 2017.
