Djibouti has thrown its hat into the ring for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission, further complicating the race for the top spot.
The announcement came on Tuesday, April 9, from the Presidency of the Republic in Djibouti, declaring the candidacy of its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, for the coveted position.
This move presents a new challenge for Raila Odinga, the Kenyan politician who has been vying for the AU Chairmanship.
With Djibouti’s entry into the race, Odinga’s path to leadership becomes more convoluted, intensifying the competition among East African candidates.
“With over twenty years of service as Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Youssouf brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and expertise in navigating complex international relations,” read the statement from Djibouti.
Further the Government of Djibouti states that Mahmoud Ali Youssouf’s multilingual proficiency in French, English, and Arabic strengthens his candidacy, enabling effective communication and engagement across diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes within the African Union.
“His linguistic versatility not only facilitates diplomacy but also underscores his commitment to promoting inclusivity and unity among member states,” read the statement.
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Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
Born on September 2, 1965, in Djibouti City, Youssouf’s diplomatic prominence commenced with his academic pursuits.
After completing his baccalaureate at Djibouti High School in 1985, he studied applied foreign languages at Lumière University Lyon, between 1985 and 1990.
His quest for knowledge led him to the University of Liverpool in 1988, where he did business management.
In 1995, Youssouf attained a management magisterium from Université Laval and later at Université libre de Bruxelles,
Youssouf’s professional journey within Djibouti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commenced during the 1990s, where he ascended to head its Arab affairs department.
His handling of diplomatic issues caught the attention of policymakers, leading to his appointment as Ambassador to Egypt from 1997 to 2001.
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July 4, 2001, Youssouf assumed the role of Minister-Delegate for International Cooperation.
This later saw him ascend to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on May 22, 2005.
Notably, Youssouf’s was elected to the chairmanship of the 129th Ordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Arab League in 2008.
Youssouf joins Kenya’s Raila Odinga and Somalia’s Fawzia Yussuf in the race, which is reserved for Eastern Africa.
