Djibouti’s AUC Chair Bid Sparks Eastern Africa’s Vote Divide
Djibouti’s decision to compete for the upcoming African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position may lead to member states in two prominent blocs within the Eastern Africa region aligning themselves in anticipation of next year’s vote.
Djibouti formally announced that its Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, is being put forward as a candidate for the upcoming Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), making him the third contender for the prestigious role. This comes after Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga, and Somalia’s former Foreign Affairs minister, Fawzia Adam, had already declared their intentions to run for the position.
However, although the candidacy will face opposition solely from Eastern African nations, Djibouti’s participation indicates a lack of consensus on a single candidate, perpetuating a previous pattern.
Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia are members of the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (Igad), along with Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Eritrea.
Sudan has been temporarily barred from participating in African Union affairs and is unable to exercise voting rights after a coup in October 2021.
Kenya and Somalia are part of the East African Community (EAC), along with Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. Typically, they tend to unite behind a single candidate to enhance their prospects, although there are instances where this doesn’t happen.
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Before the rule adjustments permitting post-rotation, these nations frequently competed for one another’s roles. In 2017, Kenya nominated a candidate for the AUC chairperson role, while Djibouti pursued the deputy position. This tactic inevitably fragmented the vote, as both sought backing from identical allies vying for various positions, necessitating compromises.
In the end, following Amina Mohamed’s defeat to Chadian diplomat Mahamat Faki, accusations of “betrayal” arose from Nairobi. Subsequently, Djibouti released a statement denying having voted for another candidate.
However, all three candidates present an opportunity for these nations to mobilize internally and appeal for support from other groups unable to nominate candidates. The deputy chair position of the African Union Commission (AUC) will be assigned to the northern region, while the southern, western, and central regions will vie for the remaining commissioner roles.
Youssouf, 59, a multilingual Djiboutian has served in the Foreign Ministry since the 1990s. His government said his experience in diplomatic work gives him an edge over his competitors, saying he knows the intricacies of the AUC and is ready to “serve and breathe new life into the pan-African organization.”
The career diplomat is credited with conflict resolution through dialogue and negotiation in discharging his duties and is multilingual, and fluent in French, English, and Arabic. His campaign team includes some regional political experts, including, incidentally, a veteran Somali diplomat.
Kenya has initiated shuttle diplomacy by assembling a campaign team consisting of members from President William Ruto’s faction and Mr. Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja Kenya Coalition.
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Dr. Ruto and Mr. Odinga have reached out to the leaders of the East African Community (EAC) as well as those outside the bloc for their support, with the most recent being the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The campaign is scheduled to kick off officially next month after receiving applications from all interested candidates.
The holder of the office is elected and serves a four-year term renewable once.
“The African Union Executive Council today unanimously adopted a critical decision that it is the turn of the Eastern Africa region to submit candidates for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The elections will be held in February 2025,” the statement dated March 15, 2024, read in part.
Djibouti previously contested Kenya’s candidacy in global elections, such as the bid for the UN Security Council membership, despite Nairobi receiving an endorsement from the African Union for the non-permanent seat.
Djibouti faced defeat in the second round when Kenya secured the necessary two-thirds majority vote for the 2021-22 term seat. This time around, Djibouti has opted not to vie for the position, which is up for grabs in the eastern African region once more. Instead, Somalia has gained the African Union’s endorsement to proceed with its campaign for the June 2024 vote, aiming for the 2025-26 term.
Djibouti’s AUC Chair Bid Sparks Eastern Africa’s Vote Divide