Mahmoud Ali Youssof is the African Union Commission chairperson candidate from Djibout. He has a very strong CV.
Mahmoud Ali Youssof received his basic education in Djibouti and later pursued university education in France, UK and Canada.
Mahmoud Ali Youssof is the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Djibouti. Between 1985-1990 he studied foreign languages in France. He hopes to use his multilingual skills to solve conflicts in various regions of Africa.
Mahmoud Ali Youssof communicates fluently in French, Arabic and English.
In 1997, Mahmoud Ali Youssof was appointed Djibouti’s ambassador to Egypt. In 2001 he returned to his home country and was appointed Minister Delegate in charge of International Cooperation.
In May 2005 he was appointed the Minister for Foreign Affairs a position he has held to date.
Mahmoud Ali Youssof is competing against Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Anil Gayan of Mauritius and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
The winner must get two-thirds which is an equivalent of 36 out of 50 heads of AU member states. French and Arabic are the officials languages of Djibouti.
It is the turn of East Africa to produce the Chairperson of the African Commission which is in line with the regional rotation principle.
The AU elections will take place in February 2025.
End
