2025 African Union Commission Chairperson election
Updated: 12/11/2025, 4:36:38 PM Wikipedia source
An African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson election was held in February 2025 to choose the fifth Commission Chair to succeed Chairperson Moussa Faki. On 15 February 2025, Djibouti's Mahamoud Ali Youssouf was elected with 33 votes in the seventh round of voting. He was inaugurated on 13 March.
Infobox
Candidate
Candidate Mahamoud Ali Youssouf Raila Odinga Country Djibouti Kenya Votes (6th round) 26 22 Votes (7th round) 33 –
Tables
· Candidates
Image
Image
Official candidates
Image
Official candidates
Name
Official candidates
Prior experience
Official candidates
Nominator
Official candidates
Endorsements
Official candidates
Vote pledges (including nominating country)
| Official candidates | |||||||
| Image | Name | Prior experience | Nominator | Endorsements | Vote pledges (including nominating country) | ||
| | Mahamoud Ali Youssouf | Foreign Minister (2005–) | Djibouti | Somalia Organisation of Islamic Cooperation | 2 | ||
| | Raila Odinga | Former AU High Representative for Infrastructure Development (2018–2023) Former Prime Minister (2008–2013) | Kenya | Algeria Angola Botswana Burundi Central African Republic Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Equatorial Guinea The Gambia Ghana Guinea-Bissau Malawi Mauritius Nigeria Rwanda Seychelles South Sudan Tanzania Togo Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe East African Community | 23 | ||
| | Richard Randriamandrato | Former Foreign Minister | Madagascar | Southern African Development Community | 1 | ||
· Candidates › Withdrew
Image
Image
Official candidates
Image
Official candidates
Name
Official candidates
Prior experience
Official candidates
Nominator
Official candidates
Notes
| Official candidates | |||||||
| Image | Name | Prior experience | Nominator | Notes | |||
| | Anil Gayan | Former Foreign Minister | Mauritius | After the 2024 general election, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam endorsed Raila Odinga. | |||
| | Fawzia Yusuf Adam | Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (2012–2014) | Somalia | Was asked by her government to withdraw in order to support Djibouti's candidacy. She endorsed Raila Odinga instead. | |||
| | Vincent Meriton | Former Vice-President (2016–2020) | Seychelles | Withdrew interest due to arising health concerns. | |||
· Candidates › Potential candidates
Hery Rajaonarimampianina
Hery Rajaonarimampianina
Name
Hery Rajaonarimampianina
Prior experience
Former President (2014–2018)
Country
Madagascar
Regional group
East Africa
Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Kikwete
Name
Jakaya Kikwete
Prior experience
African Union High Representative for Libya (2016–), former President (2005–2015), former African Union Chairperson (2008–2009), former Foreign Minister (1995–2005)
He has played a pivotal role in peace processes in the Arusha Accords (Burundi), Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis, Operation Democracy in Comoros, 2008–2009 Zimbabwean political negotiations and 2009 Malagasy political crisis.
Country
Tanzania
Regional group
East Africa
January Makamba
January Makamba
Name
January Makamba
Prior experience
Former Foreign Minister (2023–2024)
Country
Tanzania
Regional group
East Africa
Mohamed El-Amine Souef
Mohamed El-Amine Souef
Name
Mohamed El-Amine Souef
Prior experience
Special Representative of the AUC Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (2022–)
Former Foreign Minister
Country
Comoros
Regional group
East Africa
Specioza Kazibwe
Specioza Kazibwe
Name
Specioza Kazibwe
Prior experience
Former Vice President (1994–2013)
Country
Uganda
Regional group
East Africa
Uhuru Kenyatta
Uhuru Kenyatta
Name
Uhuru Kenyatta
Prior experience
East African Community–Led Nairobi Process Facilitator (2022–) of peace talks in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Former President (2013–2022)
Country
Kenya
Regional group
East Africa
| Image | Name | Prior experience | Country | Regional group |
| | Hery Rajaonarimampianina | Former President (2014–2018) | Madagascar | East Africa |
| | Jakaya Kikwete | African Union High Representative for Libya (2016–), former President (2005–2015), former African Union Chairperson (2008–2009), former Foreign Minister (1995–2005) He has played a pivotal role in peace processes in the Arusha Accords (Burundi), Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis, Operation Democracy in Comoros, 2008–2009 Zimbabwean political negotiations and 2009 Malagasy political crisis. | Tanzania | East Africa |
| | January Makamba | Former Foreign Minister (2023–2024) | Tanzania | East Africa |
| | Mohamed El-Amine Souef | Special Representative of the AUC Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (2022–) Former Foreign Minister | Comoros | East Africa |
| | Specioza Kazibwe | Former Vice President (1994–2013) | Uganda | East Africa |
| | Uhuru Kenyatta | East African Community–Led Nairobi Process Facilitator (2022–) of peace talks in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Former President (2013–2022) | Kenya | East Africa |
Result · Result
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf
Candidate
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf
Round 1
18
Round 2
19
Round 3
23
Round 4
25
Round 5
26
Round 6
26
Round 7
33
Raila Odinga
Raila Odinga
Candidate
Raila Odinga
Round 1
20
Round 2
22
Round 3
20
Round 4
21
Round 5
21
Round 6
22
Round 7
–
Richard Randriamandrato
Richard Randriamandrato
Candidate
Richard Randriamandrato
Round 1
10
Round 2
7
Round 3
5
Round 4
–
Round 5
–
Round 6
–
Round 7
–
Abstain
Abstain
Candidate
Abstain
Round 1
1
Round 2
1
Round 3
1
Round 4
2
Round 5
2
Round 6
1
Round 7
2
Spoilt
Spoilt
Candidate
Spoilt
Round 1
–
Round 2
–
Round 3
–
Round 4
1
Round 5
–
Round 6
–
Round 7
–
No
No
Candidate
No
Round 1
–
Round 2
–
Round 3
–
Round 4
–
Round 5
–
Round 6
–
Round 7
14
Total
Total
Candidate
Total
Round 1
49
Round 2
49
Round 3
49
Round 4
49
Round 5
49
Round 6
49
Round 7
49
The Star, and The Africa Report
The Star, and The Africa Report
Candidate
The Star, and The Africa Report
| Candidate | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Round 6 | Round 7 |
| Mahamoud Ali Youssouf | 18 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 33 |
| Raila Odinga | 20 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 22 | – |
| Richard Randriamandrato | 10 | 7 | 5 | – | – | – | – |
| Abstain | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Spoilt | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | – |
| No | – | – | – | – | – | – | 14 |
| Total | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 | 49 |
| The Star, and The Africa Report | |||||||
References
- As of February 2025, six member states were suspended.
- According to Kenyan President William Ruto.
- "Raila Odinga's bid for AU chair wins consensus in Nairobi"https://www.africa-confidential.com/article/id/14846/Raila_Odinga%27s_bid_for_AU_chair_wins_consensus_in_Nairobi
- African Unionhttps://archive.today/20250327231401/https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20250313/new-senior-leadership-african-union-commission-assumes-office
- The Starhttps://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-03-05-explainer-how-au-commission-chair-election-is-conducted/
- "Raila Odinga's path to African Union Commission chair post gets easier"https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/raila-odinga-path-to-african-union-commission-chair-easier-4557476
- www.bbc.co.ukhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0krstcb
- Africa Guardianhttps://africaguardian.com/who-will-lead-the-au-a-look-at-the-candidates-for-chairperson-in-2025/
- K47 Digital Newshttps://www.k47.co.ke/raila-odinga-leads-in-african-union-commission-chairperson-election-poll-by-pan-african-forum-uk-ltd/
- Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/PresidenceDjibouti/posts/pfbid02gAgrXLitzVrmRzuToGh6NLyq2srd17J3f5HiNt8wLiL5a7wwHohXvhgJneFS3PqZl
- "Battle for African Union Commission chair narrows down to four-horse race"https://eastleighvoice.co.ke/raila/66388/battle-for-african-union-commission-chair-narrows-down-to-three-horse-race
- "..unanimously adopted a resolution to support the candidacy of Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf"https://x.com/dya_bamakhrama/status/1829825794375405763
- "Raila's AU Commission job hunt may prove to be an apt exit or trapdoor"https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/raila-au-job-hunt-may-be-an-apt-exit-or-trapdoor-4528100
- "I am very grateful to President Museveni for strongly endorsing my candidacy and to President Ruto for fully backing it"https://x.com/RailaOdinga/status/1762215016424423707
- "I have held discussion with President of Algeria.. who has pledged support for Kenya's Africa Union Commission chairmanship bid"https://x.com/WilliamsRuto/status/1801567844343095383
- "Angola signals support for Raila Odinga's AU Commission bid"https://nation.africa/africa/news/angola-signals-support-for-raila-odinga-s-au-commission-bid-4584582
- "Raila takes campaign for top AUC post to Francophone nations"https://nation.africa/africa/news/-raila-takes-campaign-for-top-auc-post-to-francophone-nations--4667650
- "President Boko pledged his support for Hon Raila Odinga's African Union Commission chairperson bid"https://x.com/WilliamsRuto/status/1876883813579514254
- The Starhttps://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-08-23-raila-steps-us-au-bid-with-19-states-support/
- "Ruto in shuttle diplomacy over Raila's AUC bid"https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001492809/ruto-in-shuttle-diplomacy-over-railas-auc-bid
- "Grateful for the insightful meeting with President Denis Sassou N'Guesso.. His endorsement strengthens our mission"https://x.com/RailaOdinga/status/1824738977980518672
- "I met with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.. I thank him for his endorsement"https://x.com/RailaOdinga/status/1824142851006939634
- "In Accra, Ghana, met the Equatorial Guinea Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue who pledged his country's support for Hon. Raila Odinga's AUC chairperson bid"https://x.com/WilliamsRuto/status/1876597695466344959
- The Starhttps://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2024-12-13-gambia-supports-railas-auc-chairmanship-bid-president-barrow
- "Ghana to support Raila.. while Kenya will back Ghana's FM for Commonwealth SG post"https://x.com/StandardKenya/status/1775511547814498501
- "Raila's bid for AUC seat gets boost with Malawi and Zambia support"https://nation.africa/kenya/news/africa/-raila-s-bid-for-auc-seat-gets-boost-with-malawi-and-zambia-support-4661408
- "PM Ramgloolam confirmed his support for Kenya's candidate.. for which I expressed much appreciation"https://x.com/WilliamsRuto/status/1861420365152481708
- "President Kagame endorses Raila Odinga's bid for AU job"https://nation.africa/kenya/news/president-kagame-endorses-raila-odinga-s-bid-for-au-job-4554212
- "Your support and commitment to rallying the entire EAC block behind my AUC Chair candidacy are greatly appreciated"https://x.com/RailaOdinga/status/1808765899110842720
- "Raila Says 7 African Presidents Have Endorsed His AU Bid"https://www.citizen.digital/news/raila-says-7-african-presidents-have-endorsed-his-au-bid-n337607
- "President Gnassingbé pledged his support for Hon Raila Odinga's candidature for the African Union Commission chairperson"https://x.com/WilliamsRuto/status/1876587755255255550
- The Official Website of the President of the Republic of Kenyahttps://web.archive.org/web/20240427152331/https://www.president.go.ke/kenya-secures-support-from-zimbabwe-for-au-commission-chairmanship/
- "Ruto pitches for Raila's bid at EA meeting"https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/politics/article/2001490955/ruto-pitches-for-railas-bid-at-ea-meeting
- Barron'shttps://www.barrons.com/news/at-least-three-throw-hat-into-ring-for-top-au-post-b40e71e1
- "SADC's late call to unite behind Madagascar's AU Commission candidate"https://web.archive.org/web/20250214174858/https://www.africaintelligence.com/southern-africa-and-islands/2025/02/14/sadc-s-late-call-to-unite-behind-madagascar-s-au-commission-candidate,110375434-bre
- "Mauritius is proud to support the candidature of Mr. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan for the prestigious position of Chairperson of the AU"https://x.com/ManeeshGobin/status/1814509565465272402
- "A solemn ceremony at the State House.. to formally endorse Mr. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan's candidacy"https://x.com/ManeeshGobin/status/1822143365057483068
- "Fowzia Yusuf Haji Aden Nominated by Somalia for African Union Commission Chairperson"https://mustaqbalmedia.net/en/fowzia-yusuf-haji-aden-nominated-by-somalia-for-african-union-commission-chairperson/
- "FawziaYusufAdam will represent the government of Somalia in the race for the Chairman of the African Union Commission."https://x.com/SomaliPM/status/1746480102370681042
- "Somalia candidate drops out of African Union race"https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-candidate-drops-out-of-african-union-race
- "I am delighted to announce my support for the Right Honourable Raila Odinga in his bid for Chair of the African Union Commission"https://x.com/FawziaYusufAdam/status/1821907177226858778
- "Seychelles candidature – Chairperson of the African Union Commission"https://web.archive.org/web/20240515173615/https://mfa.gov.sc/news/seychelles-candidature-chairperson-of-the-african-union-commission/
- "Seychelles Candidature to the Position of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission"https://web.archive.org/web/20240727175447/https://mfa.gov.sc/news/seychelles-candidature-to-the-position-of-the-chairperson-of-the-african-union-commission/
- "Hery Rajaonarimampianina sees himself as next AU Commission chairperson"https://web.archive.org/web/20240313072146/https://www.africaintelligence.com/southern-africa-and-islands/2024/03/13/hery-rajaonarimampianina-sees-himself-as-next-au-commission-chairperson,110190954-art
- "Profiles of AU Special Envoys, High Representatives, Special Representatives, and the Panel of the Wise"https://www.peaceau.org/en/page/120-profiles-of-au-special-envoys-high-representatives-special-representatives-and-the-panel-of-the-wise
- St John, Lord Anthonyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20240718162110/https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/lifestyle/all-eyes-on-the-african-union/24j3kr0
- "January Makamba's AU chair ambitions prove to be his undoing"https://web.archive.org/web/20240802064514/https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2024/08/02/january-makamba-s-au-chair-ambitions-prove-to-be-his-undoing,110274647-art
- "Who are the top contenders to lead the African Union Commission?"https://www.theafricareport.com/343934/who-are-the-top-contenders-to-lead-the-african-union-commission/
- "Why Uhuru shelved AU job bid in favour of Raila"https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/politics/article/2001490497/why-uhuru-shelved-au-job-bid-in-favour-of-raila
- au.inthttps://au.int/en/pressreleases/20241204/mjadala-afrika-landmark-event-lead-new-auc-chairperson-election
- AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARY NEWShttps://www.africanparliamentarynews.com/2025/01/mjadala-afrika-leadership-debate.html
- "Mjadala Afrika: The AU Chairperson Elections & 2024 Candidate Debate – Centre for International Policy Studies"https://www.cips-cepi.ca/2024/12/19/mjadala-afrika-the-au-chairperson-elections-2024-candidate-debate/
- African Newspage | Reporting Africa's Developmenthttps://www.africannewspage.net/2024/12/op-ed-who-will-lead-au-commission-highlights-from-mjadala-afrika-debate-by-ueli-staeger/
- IGADhttps://igad.int/igad-executive-secretary-congratulates-h-e-mahamoud-ali-youssouf-on-election-as-au-commission-chair/
- Bastille Posthttps://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/4580152-china-congratulates-mahamoud-ali-youssouf-on-election-as-african-union-commission-chairperson
- France 24https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250215-mahmoud-ali-youssouf-outsider-elected-to-head-african-union-commission
- The Indian Expresshttps://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/2025-african-union-commission-election-djibouti-foreign-minister-mahmoud-ali-youssouf-good-news-india-9844085/