The African Union (AU) has elected Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s long-serving Foreign Affairs Minister, as the new head of its executive arm, the AU Commission. Youssouf’s election came after a highly competitive process during a two-day summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he secured the required 33 votes out of 49 member states in the seventh round of voting.
A Distinguished Diplomatic Career
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf brings over two decades of diplomatic and political experience to his new role. He has served as Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2005, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving foreign ministers. His diplomatic journey began in the 1990s when he joined Djibouti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he headed the Arab affairs department. His early career also included a stint as Djibouti’s Ambassador to Egypt from 1997 to 2001, where he honed his skills in international relations and diplomacy.
In 2001, Youssouf was appointed Minister-Delegate for International Cooperation, a role he held until his promotion to Foreign Affairs Minister in 2005. His tenure as foreign minister has been marked by active engagement in regional and international diplomacy, including chairing the 129th Ordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Arab League in 2008.
Academic and Multilingual proficiency
Youssouf holds a Master’s degree in management from the University of Laval in Canada, which he obtained in 1990, and a degree in business management from the University of Liverpool, completed in 1988. His educational pursuits also include specialized training programs, such as a Public Management course at Canada’s National School of Public Management in 1995. Additionally, he completed the Oxford Examination in English as a Foreign Language at the University of Oxford in 1989.
He is fluent in French, Arabic, and English, which are critical languages for diplomacy in Africa and on the global stage. French, in particular, is widely spoken across many African nations and is a key language in international organizations.
What Next?
Youssouf’s election comes at a pivotal time for the AU, which faces challenges such as dependency on external funding and the need for greater continental unity. His extensive experience in international cooperation, coupled with his ability to navigate complex diplomatic landscapes, makes him a unifying figure capable of addressing these issues. As the AU seeks to enhance its self-reliance and strengthen its role in global affairs, Youssouf’s leadership is expected to bring renewed focus and momentum to the organization.
