New AUC Chair Mahmoud Youssouf Hails President Ruto for Congratulatory Message
Mahmoud Youssouf, the newly elected chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), has expressed his gratitude to President William Ruto for congratulating him on his victory in the AUC elections. Youssouf, who emerged as the winner after securing 33 votes in the seventh round of voting, thanked the president for his support and vowed to collaborate closely with him throughout his term.
“I thank President William Ruto for congratulating me on my victory; he is the African champion for reforms. I am honoured to work with him to advance our continental agenda. Asanti sana Mzee,” Youssouf posted on social media.
Youssouf triumphed over Kenya’s candidate, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister Richard Randriamandrato. After the results were announced, Raila Odinga conceded defeat graciously and also extended his congratulations to Youssouf on his victory.
Speaking to the media in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Raila expressed his support for Youssouf, wishing him success in his new role. He emphasized the importance of fairness in the election process and noted that the results should strengthen democracy across the African continent. “I had offered myself as a candidate, over the last few months, I have run around the continent talking to different leaders of the continent canvassing for their vote, and today they have expressed themselves. As it stands now, we did not succeed,” Raila said.
He further stated, “We say that we must strengthen democracy in the African continent, and I’m therefore conceding defeat, and I want us to use this as an example of strengthening democracy in our continent.”
The AUC chairperson is elected for a four-year term, which can be renewed once. The position rotates among the five African regions, with the Eastern region being eligible this time to present a candidate, while the Northern region put forward a candidate for deputy chairperson.
The election, held during the 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, required a two-thirds majority of the total votes cast by the 49 heads of state participating in the election. Youssouf’s victory was confirmed with 33 votes, securing the mandate for his leadership in the AUC.
New AUC Chair Mahmoud Youssouf Hails President Ruto for Congratulatory Message