As the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson seat heats up, Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssef appears to be countering his rival Raila Odinga’s diplomatic outreach in Egypt.
Days ago, Raila accompanied President William Ruto to Egypt for a two-day state visit, where his AUC bid was among the top agenda of Kenya’s diplomatic mission.
Youssef quickly followed, flying to Egypt after Raila’s exit in what many see as an attempt to erode the diplomatic gains made by the Kenyan candidate in the North African nation.
However, while Raila met Egypt’s top leadership, including President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Djibouti’s Foreign Minister engaged only with his Egyptian counterpart, Dr Badr Abdelatty.
In an update on Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated that discussions with Youssef centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest.
“FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty held political consultations today with H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest,” the spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
The Djibouti candidate had also earlier visited Tanzania in an effort to persuade the East African nation, which has openly backed Raila’s candidacy, to switch its support to him.
Youssef held a press conference with Tanzanian media to present his vision and his ambition for the continent after meeting the country’s president Samia Suluhu.
Raila’s AUC blitz in Egypt
President William Ruto leveraged his official visit to Egypt to advocate for Raila Odinga’s candidacy.
Ruto arrived in Cairo on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, accompanied by Raila and a high-level delegation, including Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Environment), Lee Kinyanjui (Trade), and Eric Mugaa (Water).
Raila, who had already been on a diplomatic tour across North Africa, used the visit to seek Egypt’s backing ahead of the AUC election.
Prior to the Egyptian stop, Raila was hosted by President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania on January 24, 2025, to discuss his AUC bid.
“I have been honoured as a guest in Nouakchott, Mauritania, where President H.E. Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Chairperson of the African Union, has hosted me. I also had an opportunity to meet SEM. BAL Mohamed El Habib Secretary General Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During our discussions, I presented my vision centred on the unity of Africa’s people and the imperative for economic independence and prosperity,” Raila said after the meeting.
A day earlier, on January 23, he met Tunisia’s Secretary of State Mohamed Ben Ayed.
In a statement, Raila said he discussed his vision for Africa with the Tunisian minister as sought the backing of the north African nation for his AUC bid.
“H.E Mr. Mohamed Ben Ayed, Secretary of State to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad of the Republic of Tunisia, has today graciously hosted me in Tunis.
“During our meeting, I shared my vision for Africa and outlined my plans to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of the African Union Commission if elected as Chairperson,” Raila said.
On January 22, he began his North African campaign in Algiers, where he was received by Algerian Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui.
“I have been warmly received in Algiers, by the Rt Hon Nadir Larbaoui, the Prime Minister of Algeria.
“We’ve had an opportunity to discuss and renew our mutual relations as brotherly countries. I shared my vision for the African Union and the need to further strengthen Pan Africanism for continental prosperity. Thank you Prime Minister,” Raila said.
With the AUC Chairperson race entering its final stretch and the crucial vote scheduled for February 15-16, 2025, both candidates are ramping up efforts.
The contest is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched elections in African Union history.
