Raila Withdraws as Ali Yusuf Edges closer to the AU Top Job
Mahmoud Ali Yusuf Edges Closer to AU Top Job as Raila Odinga Withdraws
Mahmoud Ali Yusuf Edges Closer to AU Top Job as Raila Odinga Withdraws
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The race for the African Union Commission Chairmanship has intensified, with Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Yusuf taking the lead after a tense six-round voting process at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Kenya’s Raila Odinga, a veteran opposition leader and statesman, mounted a strong challenge but ultimately withdrew after securing 22 votes in the sixth round. With no outright winner yet, Yusuf now faces the final hurdle—securing a two-thirds majority (33 votes) to claim victory.
A Tight Race from the Start
The contest began with multiple candidates in the first round, including Yusuf, Odinga, and Madagascar’s Richard Randiamandrato. As the rounds progressed, Odinga and Yusuf emerged as the frontrunners, gradually consolidating their support.
By the fourth round, Yusuf had pulled ahead with 25 votes against Odinga’s 21. Despite a strong push from Odinga’s camp, Yusuf maintained his lead, reaching 26 votes in the sixth round while Odinga secured 22.
Odinga’s Exit Paves Way for Final Showdown
Following his withdrawal, all eyes are now on Yusuf as he attempts to cross the crucial 33-vote threshold. If he fails to secure the required majority, the AU will declare no winner, triggering a repeat election.
With the AU Commission playing a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s political and economic future, this election remains one of the most closely watched in recent years. Diplomats and observers are now waiting to see whether Yusuf can rally enough support or if the race will be thrown back into uncertainty.
Stay tuned for further updates from Addis Ababa as the AU leadership race unfolds.
You Might Also Like
-
Nine bodies have been removed from new graves suspected of being linked to Kenya's famous famine sect. In one of the worst ever cases of mass cult-related deaths, more than 400 bodies were found in 2023 in the remote Shakahola Forest, inland from the coastal town of Malindi.
-
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has raised new concerns about the increase in the number of accidents caused by the negligence of driving miraa, warning that the situation is extreme and a threat to national security.
-
Chief Justice Martha Koome has said that the independence of the Judiciary in making decisions must never be interfered with. Speaking during the joint retreat of the Court and the National Assembly in Mombasa on Friday.
-
Leaders who support the Kenya Kwanza regime have come out strongly to defend the government against the increasing attacks from the opposition, saying the criticism is wrong and risks weakening national unity.
-
The government has intensified its fight against companies that abuse musicians, artists, and content creators to increase their revenue. Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki said that the Kenya Kwanza administration is prioritizing the simplification of the sector.
-
The Minister of Internal Affairs and Government Coordination Kipchumba Murokomen has condemned the increase in cases of killing women, suicide and sexual violence in the country and called for the joint efforts of key stakeholders to deal with the evil.
.webp)
