Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, has defeated Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, in a closely contested race for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson position in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Raila led in the first and second rounds, securing 22 and 20 votes, respectively, while Youssouf garnered 20 and 18 votes. One country abstained in both rounds. Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard Randriamandrato, received 7 and 10 votes in the first two rounds.
In the third round, Raila retained his 20 votes, but Youssouf’s tally rose to 23, with Randriamandrato receiving 5 votes. One country abstained. With Randriamandrato eliminated, Youssouf secured 25 votes against Raila’s 21. There was one spoilt ballot, while one nation abstained.
In the fifth round, Youssouf increased his count to 26 votes, while Raila maintained his 21 votes, with one abstention. By the sixth round, Raila was forced to withdraw from the race after still managing only 21 votes, while Youssouf retained his 26 votes.
In the decisive seventh round, Youssouf clinched the required two-thirds majority with 33 votes, securing the coveted AUC Chairperson position—a result that disappointed many Kenyans.
Raila’s defeat came despite an extensive campaign across various African capitals to promote his agenda for the continent. His campaign team, led by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, claimed to have secured the backing of 28 presidents ahead of the vote.
President William Ruto actively lobbied for Raila, accompanying him on visits and meetings with fellow Heads of State. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi also played a key role in the campaign, with the government reportedly investing millions of shillings to garner support.
Political analysts will now watch to see whether Raila will maintain his cooperation with Ruto—an alliance the president has been relying on for his 2027 re-election bid—or whether he will return to the Opposition trenches to strategise for the next elections.
Some have called for Raila to retire from active politics and pass the baton to a younger generation. However, others are pleased with his AUC defeat, arguing that it allows him to return and provide a stronger check on the Ruto administration.
