Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf won the AUC Chairperson election, defeating Kenya’s Raila Odinga after a strong start in the first two rounds by Raila. Despite Raila’s initial leads, Mahamoud prevailed in later rounds, ultimately securing 33 votes in the seventh round. He will succeed Moussa Faki of Chad who has held the position for eight years.
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti has won the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson election by defeating Kenya’s Raila Odinga. The election took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Raila won the initial two rounds but ultimately lost the subsequent rounds to Mahamoud. Raila started strong, receiving 22 votes in the first round versus Mahamoud’s 18 votes, while Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato got 10 votes.
In the second round, Raila managed to secure 20 votes compared to Mahamoud’s 18, holding steady against Randriamandrato’s 10 votes. After achieving 20 votes in the third round, Raila fell behind as Mahamoud surged to 23 votes, marking a pivotal moment in the election. This elimination left Raila facing Mahamoud directly in the fourth round.
Mahamoud further established his dominance in the fourth round with 25 votes, while Raila trailed with 21 votes. The trend continued in the fifth round, with Mahamoud achieving 26 votes against Raila’s 21, leading to Raila’s exit from the race. Mahamoud then remained the sole candidate in the final rounds, aiming for a two-thirds majority to claim victory.
In the seventh round, Mahamoud effectively secured the AUC Chair with a total of 33 votes, preparing to succeed the outgoing Chair, Moussa Faki of Chad, who has served for eight years. This victory underscores Mahamoud’s emerging influence within the African Union and indicates a shift in leadership dynamics within the continent.
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf’s victory in the AUC Chair election marks a significant leadership shift within the African Union. His ability to overcome Raila Odinga, who showed initial strength, highlights the competitive nuances of the election process. With Mahamoud now set to replace Moussa Faki, the outcomes of this election will likely influence future policies and strategies within the Union.
Original Source: www.citizen.digital
