2025 AUC Chairperson election

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49 eligible[Note 1] votes of theAUmember states 33 votes needed to win
Candidate Mahamoud Ali Youssouf Raila Odinga Country Djibouti Kenya Votes (6th round) 26 22 Votes (7th round) 33 –
Commission Chair before election Moussa Faki Elected Commission Chair Mahamoud Ali Youssouf

AnAfrican Union (AU)Commission Chairperson election was held in February 2025 to choose the fifth Commission Chair to succeed ChairpersonMoussa Faki.^[1] On 15 February 2025, Djibouti'sMahamoud Ali Youssouf was elected with 33 votes in the seventh round of voting. He was inaugurated on 13 March.^[2]

Nominations were open until 6 August 2024. The new chair was elected at the 38th AU Summit inAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2025 by theAU Assembly via asecret ballot.^[3]

Past chairpersons have hailed from western, central and southernregions of the African Union. TheAU Executive Council asserted the right of the East African region to produce the next chairperson and North Africa was therefore assigned thedeputy chairperson post.^[4]

The election was overshadowed by various conflicts afflicting the continent, particularly theM23 offensive in the DR Congo.^[5]

Candidates are nominated by their respective countries. The three final candidates had varying campaign agendas.^[6]

Kenya'sRaila Odinga is a well-known figure in Kenyan politics with a strong reputation, and was considered by many to have been the leading candidate.^[7] He wanted to use Africa's natural and human resources to ensure prosperity. He prioritised theAfrican Continental Free Trade Area, managing conflicts, and propelling Africa's global influence.^[6]

Djibouti'sMahamoud Ali Youssouf is the longest serving Djiboutian Foreign Minister and is well-versed in international diplomacy. He emphasised integration, peace, and good governance.^[6]

Madagascar'sRichard Randriamandrato is an expert in governance andinternational relations. He emphasised solidarity between nation states amid fierce global competition, particularly around natural resources and international powers. He also emphasised the need for the AU to be more proactive in conflict mediation andsustainable development.^[6]

Official candidates
Image	Name	Prior experience	Nominator	Endorsements	Vote pledges (including nominating country)
	Mahamoud Ali Youssouf	Foreign Minister (2005–)	Djibouti[8]	Somalia[9] Organisation of Islamic Cooperation[10]	2
	Raila Odinga[11]	FormerAU High Representative for Infrastructure Development (2018–2023) FormerPrime Minister (2008–2013)	Kenya[12]	Algeria[13] Angola[14][15] Botswana[16] Burundi[17] Central African Republic[18] Congo[19] Democratic Republic of the Congo[20] Equatorial Guinea[18][21] The Gambia[22] Ghana[23] Guinea-Bissau[18] Malawi[24] Mauritius[25] Nigeria[15] Rwanda[26] Seychelles[17] South Sudan[27] Tanzania[15][28] Togo[29] Uganda[12] Zambia[24] Zimbabwe[30] East African Community[Note 2][31]	23
	Richard Randriamandrato[32]	FormerForeign Minister	Madagascar	Southern African Development Community[33]	1

Official candidates
Image	Name	Prior experience	Nominator	Notes
	Anil Gayan[34]	FormerForeign Minister	Mauritius[35]	After the2024 general election, Prime MinisterNavin Ramgoolam endorsed Raila Odinga.[25]
	Fawzia Yusuf Adam[36]	Former Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister (2012–2014)	Somalia[37]	Was asked by her government to withdraw in order to support Djibouti's candidacy.[38] She endorsed Raila Odinga instead.[39]
	Vincent Meriton	FormerVice-President (2016–2020)	Seychelles[40]	Withdrew interest due to arising health concerns.[41]

Image	Name	Prior experience	Country	Regional group
	Hery Rajaonarimampianina[42]	FormerPresident (2014–2018)	Madagascar	East Africa
	Jakaya Kikwete[1][11]	African Union High Representative for Libya (2016–), formerPresident (2005–2015), formerAfrican Union Chairperson (2008–2009), formerForeign Minister (1995–2005) He has played a pivotal role in peace processes in theArusha Accords (Burundi),Democratic Republic of the Congo,2007–2008 Kenyan crisis,Operation Democracy in Comoros,2008–2009 Zimbabwean political negotiations and2009 Malagasy political crisis.[43]	Tanzania	East Africa
	January Makamba[44][45]	FormerForeign Minister (2023–2024)	Tanzania	East Africa
	Mohamed El-Amine Souef[46]	Special Representative of the AUC Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of theAfrican Union Transition Mission in Somalia (2022–) FormerForeign Minister	Comoros	East Africa
	Specioza Kazibwe[11]	FormerVice President (1994–2013)	Uganda	East Africa
	Uhuru Kenyatta[11][47]	East African Community–Led Nairobi Process Facilitator (2022–) of peace talks ineasternDemocratic Republic of the Congo FormerPresident (2013–2022)	Kenya	East Africa

The 2024 edition of theMjadala Afrika ("African debate" inSwahili) took place on 13 December. It offered the three candidates an opportunity to lay out their vision for the continent and how to deal with its pressing challenges. The candidates introduced themselves and answered questions posed by two moderators (one English-speaking, the other French-speaking), along with questions from online participants. The debate's format sought to encourage transparency and direct communication with the African people. The debate was televised viapublic broadcasters of the 55 member states.^[48]

All three candidates supported Africa's bid to have two seats with veto power on theUnited Nations Security Council in order to amplify the continent's voice in global affairs and have representation at the highest levels of decision-making. The candidates discussed the issue of dependency in security matters, highlighting the importance of theAfrican Standby Force. The candidates also discussed ways to enhance theAfrican Continental Free Trade Area by introducing a single currency and payment compensation systems, aimed at improving economic growth. They also all emphasised structural reforms and cooperation between member states.^[49] Candidates also lamented the decline ofpan-Africanism.^[50]

Kenya'sRaila Odinga emphasised the power of youth and women in driving economic growth and proposed policies accordingly. He also noted the need for better infrastructure to improve connectivity across the continent.^[49]

Djibouti'sMahamoud Ali Youssouf highlighted Africa's geopolitical position and emphasised partnerships with the global community. He also noted the importance of technology and innovation in making Africa more competitive globally.^[49] AnalystUeli Staeger noted that Youssouf demonstrated a better grasp of the internal financial mechanisms in the AU's reforms than his competitors, and fared well in the overall debate.^[51]

Madagascar'sRichard Randriamandrato focussed onclimate change, and proposed policies addressing biodiversity loss. He also emphasised the role of education and healthcare in long-term development.^[49]

On 15 February 2025, Djibouti'sMahamoud Ali Youssouf was elected with 33 votes in the seventh round of voting. He was sworn in on 13 March.^[2]

Leaders and countries from Africa and across the world congratulated Youssouf for his win, includingIGAD Executive SecretaryWorkneh Gebeyehu,^[52]China^[53] and UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres.^[5] In a message onX, Djiboutian PresidentIsmaïl Omar Guelleh said that Youssouf's election was "a proud moment for Djibouti and Africa" and that "[Youssouf's] leadership will serve Africa with dedication and vision".^[54]

TheIndian Express opined that there was dominance by French speakers and theArab League, a tendency against larger countries' older candidates, and a gender gap.^[55]

• African Union Commission Elections 2025
• AUC Senior Leadership Job Profiles

• 2025 elections in Africa
• 2025 in international relations
• African Union
• February 2025 in Africa

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