Raila Odinga, Kenya’s contender in the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson elections, faced a rollercoaster of fortunes as he initially surged ahead but ultimately conceded to Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf after a series of closely contested rounds of voting.
In the opening round of voting, Raila secured 20 votes, narrowly besting Mahamoud’s 18 votes, with Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar capturing 10 votes. The second round saw Raila maintain a slight lead with 22 votes, while Mahamoud trailed closely behind with 19 votes.
However, the dynamics shifted in subsequent rounds as Mahamoud steadily gained momentum. By the third round, Mahamoud took the lead with 23 votes, edging out Raila who received 20 votes. Randriamandrato, with 5 votes, was eliminated from the race. Mahamoud’s lead continued into the fourth and fifth rounds, securing 25 and 26 votes respectively, while Raila received 21 votes in both rounds.
In the sixth round, Mahamoud maintained his strong showing with 26 votes, compared to Raila’s 22 votes. The seventh round saw Mahamoud emerge as the sole candidate after Raila was dropped from the ballot, achieving a decisive victory with 33 votes, meeting the required two-thirds majority.
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf’s win marks a significant transition in leadership for the African Union Commission, succeeding Moussa Faki of Chad, who served as Chairperson for eight years.
The election process, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, highlighted intense competition and strategic alliances among member states of the African Union, underscoring the significance of leadership dynamics within the continental body.
Stay tuned for further developments as Mahamoud Ali Youssouf prepares to assume his new role as Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
