Addis Ababa, February 16, 2025 – H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti has been elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), with H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi of Algeria as his Deputy, following votes at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on February 15-16, 2025. Both secured the required two-thirds majority from 49 eligible member states, with six under sanctions barred from voting. Their four-year terms, renewable once, begin as Youssouf succeeds H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat of Chad, who served since 2017, and Haddadi replaces H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa of Rwanda.
Youssouf, 60, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, brings extensive experience, having chaired the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation councils. He outpolled Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Madagascar’s ex-Foreign Minister Richard Randriamandrato. As AUC Chairperson, he will oversee administration, finances, and stakeholder coordination, acting as the AU’s chief executive and legal representative. Haddadi, 47, a career diplomat and Algeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and AU Permanent Representative, emerged from a field narrowed by gender rotation rules, which disqualified male candidates after Youssouf’s win. She competed against Morocco’s Latifah Akharbach and Egypt’s Hanan Morsy following Libya’s candidate withdrawal. Her role includes managing administration and finance, deputising for Youssouf.
Four Commissioners were also elected on February 12 during the 46th Executive Council session. Amb. Bankole Adeoye of Nigeria was re-elected to lead Political Affairs, Peace and Security, having merged those portfolios in 2021 after serving as Nigeria’s AU and UNECA representative. Mr. Moses Vilakati of Eswatini, ex-Minister of Agriculture and Tourism, will head Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, succeeding Angola’s Josefa Sacko. Ms. Lerato Mataboge of South Africa, a trade expert and Deputy Director-General, takes over Infrastructure and Energy from Egypt’s Amani Abou-Zeid. Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah of Ghana, former Ambassador to multiple nations, replaces Burkina Faso’s Minata Samate Cessouma in Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development. Elections for two remaining Commissioner posts were deferred.
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The Chairperson of the AUC is the Chief Executive Officer, legal representative of the AU and the AU Commission Chief Accounting Officer. The Chairperson is elected by the Assembly for a four-year term, renewable once. The Chairperson’s functions, include, among others, the overall responsibility for the Commission’s administration and finances; promoting and popularising the AU’s objectives and enhancing its performance; consulting and coordinating with key stakeholders like Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECS), and development partners, among other stakeholders; appointing and managing Commission staff; and acting as a depository for all African Union and the Organization of African Unity treaties and legal instruments.”
The Deputy Chairperson assists the Chairperson in the execution of his or her functions, to ensure the smooth running of the AU Commission, and oversees administration and finance functions. The Deputy acts as the Chairperson in his/her absence. The elections adhered to AU rules ensuring regional diversity, with a Panel of Eminent Africans overseeing candidate selection.
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