Profiles of the 3 candidates in race for the African Union chairperson in 2025

The elections, scheduled for February 2025, will take place at the 38th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the AU Assembly will cast their votes via a secret ballot.

The AUC chairperson position has historically been held by individuals from the Western, Central, and Southern regions of the African Union.

However, the AU Executive Council has asserted that the East African region should produce the next chairperson, with North Africa vying for the deputy chairperson post.

The current chairperson, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat hails from Mali and has been in office since March 2017.

As the election for the next African Union Chairperson nears, questions arise about how African countries will vote.

The role is critical for ensuring adherence to AU policies and maintaining continental harmony.

A candidate must secure 66% of the votes, or support from 32 countries, to win.

Also, voting is often influenced by regional blocs, including:

Countries within these blocs typically back candidates from their region or those with significant regional impact.

Mjadala Afrika, meaning “African Debate” in Swahili held on December 13, 2024, at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa brought together candidates for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson to discuss Africa’s future.

The debate focused on tackling key challenges and advancing Agenda 2063, Africa’s development blueprint.

According to the African Union, three contenders from the East African bloc have emerged and have been penciled down as likely replacements for Mousa Faki whose tenure will be ending soon.

Born in Djibouti in 1965, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf studied business management at the University of Liverpool and furthered his education in France, Canada, and Belgium.

Beginning his diplomatic career in the 1990s, he led Djibouti’s Arab Affairs Department, served as ambassador to Egypt, and became minister of foreign affairs in 2005.

At the 2024 AUC Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate, Youssouf stressed the need for peace, security, and collaborative conflict resolution while advocating improved governance and human rights

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, born January 7, 1945, officially launched his candidacy for African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson on August 27, 2024.

He was joined by the Chairperson of the East African Community, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Presidents Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, and Salva Kiir of South Sudan.

Former presidents including Dr. Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria were also in attendance.

His bid has gained strong backing from Kenya’s leadership and six East African Community (EAC) countries—Burundi, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya.

At the 2024 AUC Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate, Odinga emphasized economic integration, proposing enhanced infrastructure and trade networks to strengthen ties between African nations and global markets.

Richard Randriamandrato, a seasoned politician in Madagascar, is highly respected for his significant influence in the country’s political and economic affairs.

Richard Randriamandrato, 55, served as Madagascar’s minister of economy and finance (2018–2021) and briefly as minister of foreign affairs in 2022.

Randriamandrato emphasized his commitment to advancing Agenda 2063 by prioritizing reforms identified by the conference of heads of state. “My priority will be to listen to their wishes to implement policies for the continent,” he stated.

At the 2024 AUC Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate, he focused on sustainable development and environmental conservation, advocating for responsible use of Africa’s natural resources and promoting green energy initiatives.