The African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship elections progressed through seven rounds before Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf secured victory.
Round 1
Kenya’s Raila Odinga led with 20 votes, followed by Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf with 18. Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato received ten.
Round 2
Odinga maintained his lead with 22 votes, while Youssouf garnered 19. Randriamandrato trailed with seven votes.
Round 3
Youssouf overtook Odinga, winning 23 votes to Odinga’s 20. Randriamandrato received five votes, and one country abstained.
Round 4
Youssouf extended his lead with 25 votes, while Odinga secured 21. Randriamandrato was eliminated. One country abstained.
Round 5
Youssouf widened the margin, winning 26 votes against Odinga’s 21.
Round 6
The results remained largely unchanged, with Youssouf receiving 26 votes, Odinga 22, and one abstention.
Round 7
Youssouf clinched the AUC chairmanship with 33 votes, defeating Odinga after multiple rounds.
A total of 49 countries participated in the election, with the winner required to secure at least two-thirds of the votes.