Raila Odinga concedes defeat as Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf elected new AUC Chairperson
Raila failed to maintain the momentum in subsequent rounds, leading to his early exit—a repeat of the 2017 AUC race, where former Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed also lost in a high-stakes contest.
Raila Odinga has conceded defeat after being eliminated from the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson race following several rounds of intense voting.
He lost to Djibouti’s Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who has now been sworn in as the new AUC Chairperson.
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“African leaders have made their choice for the leadership of the commission. I want to wish my competitor all the best,” said a visibly disappointed Raila Odinga outside the plenary hall, flanked by Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi.
President William Ruto, who accompanied Odinga, avoided engaging with the press after the announcement.
Raila Odinga concedes defeat in the AUC chairperson race
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) February 15, 2025
Raila Odinga: We did not succeed. I concede defeat and I want to use this as an example of strengthening democracy in our continent. I wish my competitor Mahmoud Youssouf all the best. I want to thank all those countries… pic.twitter.com/JgZCQSEphL
Tough race for Kenya
Raila Odinga’s elimination came after he led the first round of voting with 20 votes.
However, he failed to maintain the momentum in subsequent rounds, leading to his early exit—a repeat of the 2017 AUC race, where former Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed also lost in a high-stakes contest.
Kenya’s AUC candidate, Raila Odinga and Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa. (X/Raila Odinga)
Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf, a seasoned diplomat and long-serving foreign minister, emerged victorious after securing a two-thirds majority with 33 votes.
His victory came after five competitive rounds of voting.
Mahmoud will serve a four-year term as AUC Chairperson, succeeding Moussa Faki of Chad, who has held the position since 2017.
Strategic role
The AUC Chairperson position is one of Africa’s most coveted diplomatic roles.
The leader, elected by heads of state and government from the AU’s 55 member countries, serves as the chief executive of the Addis Ababa-based secretariat, overseeing the union’s policies and operations.
Mahmoud brings decades of experience in diplomacy and foreign affairs to his new role.
His election is seen as a significant win for Djibouti and marks a reset in the commission’s leadership.
Setback
The outcome represents a significant setback for Raila Odinga, who had built considerable domestic and international support for his bid.
For the 80-year-old veteran politician, the AUC position was viewed as a final chapter in a long and illustrious career in public service.
African Union Commission chair candidates from left Djibouti's Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Kenya's Raila Odinga, and Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato during their leadership debate on December 13, 2024. (Photo: AU)
Odinga’s political journey reached its pinnacle in 2008 when he became Kenya’s Prime Minister following intense negotiations to end post-election violence that claimed over 1,000 lives.
He has vied for Kenya’s presidency five times over three decades.
Despite the defeat, Odinga maintained a positive tone, expressing a willingness to serve the continent in other capacities.
“I will go back home; there are plenty of things waiting for me back there,” he added.
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