Djibouti's Mahmoud Ali Youssouf had pledged to address the Plight of Youth in the continent, if elected for the role of African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, as the race enters homestretch.

The Djibouti Candidate, states that he understands what African Youths are going through and he will not rest until their grievances are addressed.

In a statement on Saturday, January 11, 2025, Mahmoud claimed he is ready to Shoulder the responsibility.

Mahmoud Called For Support, insisting he's capable of making Africa's dream come true, if everyone rallies behind his continental leadership bid.

" I clearly hear the Plea of African Youths across the Continent. I am aware of your Expectations and will spare no effort once elected to be your flag bearer. I am ready to shoulder the responsibility. Let us have a dream for Africa and Make it come true together". He said.

Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, is a seasoned diplomat with considerable influence across Africa. He has emerged as a prominent candidate for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, garnering strong support for the position.

Mahamoud hopes to secure two-thirds of the votes across the African continent to take up the chairmanship role.

Mahamoud hails from Djibouti city where he was born. He got his basic education in Djibouti and later furthered his studies in linguistics, business, and management in Lyon, France, Liverpool, United Kingdom, and Laval, France. Additionally, he wrote his thesis at the Free University of Brussels in the 1990s.

He served as the head of Arab Affairs between 1992 and 1997 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Djibouti. A career that offered him a diplomatic footing in the continent and the world at large.

Similarly, in 1997, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf was appointed Ambassador to Egypt, a role he held until 2001 when he returned to Djibouti and was named Minister Delegate for International Cooperation.

Under the leadership of Ali, Djibouti has played a critical role in regional and international diplomacy, especially in the Horn of Africa. He has been involved in significant diplomatic negotiations and efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

Youssouf is multilingual, which has been an asset in his diplomatic work. It has boosted him to engage effectively with diverse international counterparts.

He is an independent politician, and he is known for his optimism about Djibouti’s future. He has held the position of Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2005.

Moreover, in April 2024, he was nominated by Djibouti to become the Chairperson of the African Union Commission where he is being endorsed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) who are backing his bid.

Although the Djibouti Candidate is a public figure with much of his information on his career accomplices available in the public domain little is known about his family and marriage.

Meanwhile, Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi lauded the secretariat handling of Raila Odinga’s bid in the race.

In a statement on Friday, January 10, 2025, moments after meeting the team, Mudavadi revealed that they had mapped out the critical next steps, focusing on broadening the country’s outreach and strengthening partnerships with AUC member states.

“I chaired a meeting to review the progress we are making in advancing RailaOdinga‘s bid for the African Union Commission Chairperson position. Hon. Odinga’s Secretariat presented impressive progress since Kenya launched its candidature in August last year, outlining key milestones and a strategic roadmap for the final push ahead of the AUC elections in February 2025,” Mudavadi stated.

“I applauded the Secretariat and the State Department for Foreign Affairs for their collaborative efforts in building robust momentum toward securing Kenya’s leadership at the helm of the African Union Commission. Together, we mapped out the critical next steps, focusing on broadening our outreach and strengthening partnerships with AUC member states. With confidence and unity, we remain steadfast in delivering a transformative leader for Africa.”

Raila’s campaign team includes Korir Sing’Oei, the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Elkanah Odembo, a former Kenyan ambassador to the United States, former Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Executive Secretary Mahboub Maalim, Ambassador Anthony Okara, Professor Makau Mutua, and former Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu among others.

Recently, Ruto announced that he had secured Botswana’s support for Raila’s AUC candidacy.

Ruto made the confirmation via a statement on X on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, after meeting with the recently elected President of Botswana, Duma Boko.

This comes a day after Ruto met with President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo and also announced that the West African country will support Raila.

So far, Raila’s bid has been backed by DRC, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Burundi, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, and Algeria.

During the February 2025 elections, Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf will battle it out with Kenya's Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Madagascar’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Richard James Randriamandrato.