Djibouti’s Youssouf Officially Takes Helm At AUC At Critical Juncture

‘We have done what we can’: outgoing AU Chairperson

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, newly elected chair of the African Union Commission (AUC), his deputy, and four other commissioners assumed office on Thursday. Despite good track records and insider knowledge of AU bureaucracy, the new leadership takes the helm at a critical juncture for the continental organization and could face difficulties with the monumental tasks ahead in reforming the AU.

Youssouf, who served as Djibouti’s foreign minister for two decades, was elected during the 38th AU summit last month, beating out a number of candidates from the Eastern Region, including Kenya’s Raila Odinga.

He replaces Moussa Faki of Chad, who completed his second four-year term at the helm of the AUC on Thursday.

Youssouf is deputized by Selma Malika Haddadi, from Algeria, who replaces Rwanda’s Dr. Monique nsanzabaganwa—the auc’s first female deputy chairperson.

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With a background in law, Selma, 47, is a career diplomat currently serving as ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the AU and the UN Economic Commission for Africa.

Mohammed El-Amine Souef has been appointed the new Chief of Staff for the AUC Chairperson. He has previously served as the AU Special Envoy to Somalia and head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which wrapped up a few months ago.

Nuur Mohamud Sheikh, former head of communications for IGAD, is the new Spokesperson for the AUC Chair.

Four of the six commissioner positions at the AU have also been filled.

Bankole Adeoye (Nigeria) has been re-elected to head the Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) department. He previously served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA and Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Moses Vilakati (Eswatini) takes the helm at the Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE) department. He has previously served in senior positions in Eswatini, including as Minister of Tourism and Minister of Agriculture.

Lerato Mataboge  (South Africa) was elected as the Commissioner for the Infrastructure and Energy (I&E) department. Mataboge is an investment and trade expert, currently serving as deputy head of the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Now TWUM AMOAH (Ghana) will lead the health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS) Department. She is the former Ambassador of the Republic of the United States of America to Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan and the permanent Republicive to the African Union.

During a ceremony at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa on Thursday, the incoming Chairperson pledged his commitment to address institutional challenges and to assert Africa’s position in the global architecture.

“Africa must take its destiny into its own hands. It’s time to assert ourselves as a determined continent, capable of influencing major global decisions and proposing solutions to the crises that affect us. I pledge today to act with determination to raise our Union to the level of our peoples’ expectations. We must breathe new life into our organization, strengthen our unity and assert Africa’s place in the concert of nations,” said Youssouf.

Among his stated priorities are implementing the second 10-year phase of Agenda 2063, improving the financial autonomy of the AU, strengthening collaboration between AU institutions, carrying out administrative and structural reforms, and expediting a skills and competency audit being carried out by the Commission.

“We must be an agile player, capable of responding to emergencies and anticipating future challenges,” said the new Chairperson.

During the ceremony, Moussa Faki recognized the challenges of leading the AUC, and wished his successor luck.

“We have done what we can. As I have said, there are certainly gaps and shortcomings. I’m sure that, with your fresh impetus and your faith in our organization, you’ll go far beyond the frontiers that are ours today and the legacy we’re leaving you. Everywhere, as you know as well as I do, new projects have been launched. It will be up to you to deepen, to correct, to change, to imagine new solutions that we have not been able to create or find. The dynamics of change will be your best support. Dare to go where we couldn’t,” said Faki.

Ethiopian President Taye Atskeselassie highlighted the tasks awaiting the new AU leadership. He stated that Youssouf and his colleagues are assuming their mandates at a time when the global order is facing unprecedented challenges and multilateralism is under increasing strain as a result of conflict, climate change, and other problems.

The President also spoke about the opportunities that lie ahead.

“Our G-20 membership is not merely a seat at the table; it is a platform that will make Africa an active contributor in shaping our collective economic destiny.  Without meaningful African participation, the G20’s Common Framework for Debt Treatment has proven to be inadequate, and inundated by inefficiency, delays, and a lack of clarity. We must also push for Africa’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council so that we will surely be part of the decisions that will affect and determine the destiny of our continent,” he said.

Analysts predict Youssouf’s familiarity with AU bureaucracy and the continent’s geopolitical dynamics will be crucial for the success of his tenure, as well as endeavors in securing stability and peace in the Horn of Africa.

“He has the skill and knowledge to lead the AU. Since he was close to the AU Executive Council for the last two decades he knows the ins and outs of A bureaucracy. However, knowing the AU won;t be sufficient to lead efficiently,” one analyst with close ties to the organization told The Reporterspeaking anonymously.

The analyst observes the AU’s role and significance in continental security issues and global geopolitics has become more pronounced, adding a layer of complexity to Youssouf’s mandate.

“However, the biggest challenge dragging the AU back is the member states. They are acting as if it’s business as usual. This will be the biggest challenge for [Youssouf]. He has promised to realize the AU’s self-financing ambitions by raising more revenue from member states. So, he has to be more assertive than Moussa Faki. He needs to maintain his neutrality and impartiality,” said the analyst.

Growing influence from the Middle East is something the new Chairperson will have to contend with, according to the analyst.

“He needs to protect himself from the influence Egypt and the Arab League want to assert on the AU. The new Chairperson will succeed if he manages to be free from the powers behind the scene, who often influence AU management,” said the analyst. “He is more fit to lead the AU than anyone.”