Addis Ababa(Mogadishu24)-Djibouti has officially submitted the candidature of its Foreign Minister, Mohamoud Ali Yusouf, for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC). This significant step was confirmed by Abdi Mahamoud Eybe, Djibouti’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Angola, Comoros, Burundi, and Seychelles.

Official Submission

The formal submission of the candidature was made to H.E. Dharmraj Busgeeth, Ambassador of Mauritius and Dean of the Eastern Region, on July 5, and subsequently to the Legal Counsel of the AUC on July 29, 2024. Ambassador Eybe announced, “Official submission of the Djibouti candidature in the name of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Mohamoud Ali Yusouf, for the post of Chairperson of the African Union Commission was made to my Mauritius colleague, Dean of our Region, on July 5, and to the Legal Counsel of the AUC on July 29, 2024.”

Regional Dynamics

Somalia and Kenya were initially contenders for the AU leadership position. However, Somalia withdrew its candidate, despite the candidate’s dissatisfaction with the decision. This withdrawal has potentially strengthened Djibouti’s position in the race.

Djibouti’s Commitment

With the official submission, H.E. Mohamoud Ali Yusouf aims to leverage his extensive diplomatic experience to lead the African Union Commission. This move underscores Djibouti’s commitment to playing a pivotal role in the development and governance of the African continent.

As the election approaches, Djibouti is working to secure support from member states to ensure success in this crucial leadership bid, adhering to established procedures and protocols throughout the process.