Youssouf Elected Chairperson of African Union Commission

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti has been elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission, succeeding Moussa Faki of Chad. Youssouf, who has served as Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2005, secured the position with 33 votes from 49 member states during a summit in Addis Ababa. His election comes at a time when the African Union faces significant challenges, including military coups in West Africa and ongoing conflicts in the Eastern Congo. Youssouf's leadership will be critical in addressing governance issues across the continent and enhancing the AU's effectiveness. His election reflects a desire among member states for a shift towards self-reliance and reform within the AU. He will be supported by Selma Haddadi of Algeria as the Deputy Chairperson.