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Djibouti
As foreign minister exits to take up top AU post, politicians jostle to replace him

Newly elected chair of the AU Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (centre) and Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (left) at the AU HQ in Addis Ababa, 15 February 2025. © Amanuel Sileshi/AFP

Mahmoud Youssouf is off to Addis Ababa to serve as president of the African Union Commission, leaving a coveted vacancy back in Djibouti. With just over a year before the country heads to the polls, several hopefuls want to capitalise on the imminent reshuffle. [...]

Published on 04/03/2025 at 04:40 GMT Reading time 3 minutes

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Politics

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Djibouti
African Union
AKP
Ayeid Mousseid Yahya
Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh
Ismaîl Omar Guelleh
Kadra Mahamoud Haid
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
Mohamed Idriss Farah
Mohamed-Siad Doualeh
Naguib Abdallah Kami
United Nations

Central Africa
AU panel rejects Central African candidates

The panel of eminent Africans responsible for shortlisting candidates from Central Africa for the posts of trade and education commissioners will not be submitting applications to the AU executive council. It considers that the profiles do not meet the required conditions.

Subscribers only Politics 27.03.2025

Djibouti
Djibouti negotiates down payment before ratifying new military treaty with Paris

The port republic, which had negotiated a significant increase in the rent that Paris pays under the new cooperation agreement, has obtained an advance payment for this year.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 20.03.2025

African Union
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf's balancing act to appoint his cabinet

The newly elected chairperson of the African Union Commission is choosing members from his inner circle, seasoned diplomats and supporters of his campaign to put together his team. Although he'll take office in just a few days, no names have yet been confirmed.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 11.03.2025

Mahamoud Ali Youssouf during the 38th AU Summit, in Addis Ababa on 15 February 2025.

Africa
AU and EU strengthen ties for year ahead

Each with a new commission, the African Union and European Union plan to relaunch their cooperation this year, which has been hampered by the conflict in Ukraine. The key moment will be a heads of state summit in October or November.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 10.03.2025

Equatorial Guinea
Teodoro Obiang puts forward candidate for AU trade commissioner post

The Equatorial Guinean president is backing a close ally for the post of commissioner for economic development, tourism, trade, industry and mining at the African Union. The Central Africa region is also set to make nominations for the two posts to which it is entitled.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 06.03.2025

Inner circles | Djibouti
Foreign minister Youssouf works his African networks in bid for AU Commission chair

The Djibouti contender, backed by his country's top government officials, is seeking media coverage to promote his agenda. As foreign minister, he also meets frequently with African leaders, affording him opportunities to promote his candidacy.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 27.09.2024

Djiboutian foreign minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on 20 September 2024 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Djibouti
Foreign minister assembles AU Commission campaign team

Veteran diplomat Mahamoud Ali Youssouf has yet to officially throw his hat into the ring, but he is already gathering allies for his likely bid to take the helm of the African Union's executive arm, a post Kenya's former PM Raila Odinga is also eyeing.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 18.06.2024

Djibouti Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf in Beijing, China, 20 February 2019.

Inner circles | Djibouti
RPP leader Dawaleh fears being ousted at party conference

The executive committee of the ruling party is growing increasingly nervous ahead of its party conference next month. Its secretary-general Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh knows he is under threat and is mobilising his few remaining supporters in a bid to hang on to his position.

Subscribers only Politics 23.02.2024

Djibouti's Minister of Economy and Finance, Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, in Djibouti in December 2017.

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African Union
AKP
Ayeid Mousseid Yahya
Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh
Ismaîl Omar Guelleh
Kadra Mahamoud Haid
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
Mohamed Idriss Farah
Mohamed-Siad Doualeh
Naguib Abdallah Kami
United Nations

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As foreign minister exits to take up top AU post, politicians jostle to replace him

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Djibouti As foreign minister exits to take up top AU post, politicians jostle to replace him

This article may be accessed by subscribers

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Set up email notifications for these topics

Central Africa AU panel rejects Central African candidates

Djibouti Djibouti negotiates down payment before ratifying new military treaty with Paris

African Union Mahamoud Ali Youssouf's balancing act to appoint his cabinet

Africa AU and EU strengthen ties for year ahead

Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang puts forward candidate for AU trade commissioner post

Inner circles | Djibouti Foreign minister Youssouf works his African networks in bid for AU Commission chair

Djibouti Foreign minister assembles AU Commission campaign team

Inner circles | Djibouti RPP leader Dawaleh fears being ousted at party conference

Djibouti Security chiefs wade into IOG succession battle

Djibouti IOG sows the seeds of discord over his succession

African Union, Djibouti Smail Chergui engineers photo op with Ismail Omar Guelleh

Set up email notifications for these topics

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Namibia
Namibia oil utopia hangs on TotalEnergies' final investment decision

Nigeria
The latest secrets of a $10bn legal scandal between Abuja and London

Djibouti
As foreign minister exits to take up top AU post, politicians jostle to replace him

Central Africa
AU panel rejects Central African candidates

Djibouti
Djibouti negotiates down payment before ratifying new military treaty with Paris

African Union
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf's balancing act to appoint his cabinet

Africa
AU and EU strengthen ties for year ahead

Equatorial Guinea
Teodoro Obiang puts forward candidate for AU trade commissioner post

Inner circles | Djibouti
Foreign minister Youssouf works his African networks in bid for AU Commission chair

Djibouti
Foreign minister assembles AU Commission campaign team

Inner circles | Djibouti
RPP leader Dawaleh fears being ousted at party conference

Djibouti
Security chiefs wade into IOG succession battle

Djibouti
IOG sows the seeds of discord over his succession

African Union, Djibouti
Smail Chergui engineers photo op with Ismail Omar Guelleh