Doha-die African leader elected the long-time Foreign Minister of Dschibuti, Mahmoud Ali Yousouf, the new chairman of the African Union Commission on Saturday in Addis Abba and marked a significant management crossing for the continental bodies.
Yousouf, who has held his portfolio for foreign affairs since 2005, secured victory against Kenya former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Madagascar’s former Minister Richard Randriandrato in a vote at the Au summit in the Ethiopian capital.
Youssouf’s path to leadership was strengthened by strategic diplomatic orientations, especially with Morocco during a high level meet In Rabat in December in December, where he King Mohammed VI.
During the joint discussions with the Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, he outlined his vision for the future of the organization and explained: “When I was elected President of the African Union Commission, my priority will be financial management and governance. My goal will also be to mobilize internal means. “
The diplomatic engagement materialized long -standing bilateral relationships, with Bourita confirmed that “Dschibuti has always been a source of trust and credibility and that a leading role in promoting stability and security was able to play”.
Youzuf replied by referring the “solid bonds based on mutual respect as well as on Pan-Arab and Islamic Brotherhood” between the two nations and recognizing the significant annual contribution of Morocco of $ 35 million to the AU budget.
The new chosen The head of the AU Commission brings extensive diplomatic experience into the role after he previously worked as an ambassador of Dschibuti in Egypt and worked under three presidential administrations. He will serve an term of four years and replace Moussa Faki from Chad, which the Commission has headed since 2017.
The election result gave the 80-year-old Odinga a considerable setback, whose offer for the AU post after five unsuccessful runs for Kenya’s presidency was regarded over three decades as his last company in the public service.
While Yoususs is preparing to take over the rudder of the 55-strong continental organization, he is standing upheld challenges, including the increase in military acquisitions in West Africa and the escalating violence in the eastern Congo, where two major cities in Rwanda have recently conquered.
In the meantime, Morocco’s diplomatic efforts continue to focus on securing the strategic position of the Vice President of the Commission. The country candidateLatifa Akharbach, which leads the high authority of Morocco for audiovisual communication (HACA), competes against Algeria’s Au ambassador Selma Haddadi in a closely observed race that emphasizes the ongoing regional rivalry.
The competition reinforced failed to secure the required two -thirds majority. The vice presidential election this weekend is expected to be a further test of the diplomatic influence of both countries within the continental body.
