Table of Contents
- A Diplomatic Win with Broad Implications
- What This Means for the U.S.–Djibouti Business Roundtable
- A Time to Engage
The African Union has a new leader—and it’s a historic win for Djibouti. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s veteran Minister of Foreign Affairs, has been elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) following a fiercely competitive election held during the 38th Ordinary AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This victory not only reflects Djibouti’s growing diplomatic stature but also signals new opportunities for deeper regional integration, trade collaboration, and international partnership—precisely the areas where the U.S.–Djibouti Business Roundtable is poised to make an impact.
A Diplomatic Win with Broad Implications
Youssouf secured the chairmanship after seven rounds of voting, ultimately winning 33 votes in the final round to surpass the required two-thirds majority. He prevailed over Kenya’s Raila Odinga and Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato in what was widely seen as one of the most closely watched AUC elections in recent memory.
As he prepares to succeed outgoing Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, Youssouf brings nearly 20 years of foreign policy leadership to the role—experience that includes forging alliances, mediating conflict, and expanding Djibouti’s global partnerships. His elevation places Djibouti, a strategic gateway between Africa and global markets, in a leadership role at a time when the continent’s economic and political future is being actively redefined.
What This Means for the U.S.–Djibouti Business Roundtable
The election of a seasoned, business-minded diplomat like Mahmoud Ali Youssouf reinforces our conviction that strong bilateral relationships, grounded in economic cooperation, are key to Africa’s next chapter of growth.
As a coalition of U.S. and Djiboutian businesses, associations, and policymakers, the U.S.–Djibouti Business Roundtable exists to advance precisely these types of connections—bridging public and private sector leaders to unlock investment, expand trade, and support sustainable development across both countries.
Youssouf’s leadership at the AUC is expected to:
- Encourage a more stable, business-friendly environment across the region;
- Accelerate infrastructure, logistics, and energy initiatives that can benefit U.S.–Africa trade;
- Create a more unified platform for policy advocacy and regulatory reform;
- Strengthen opportunities for foreign direct investment and economic collaboration.
These developments align directly with the Roundtable’s mission to support private-sector growth, job creation, and mutually beneficial partnerships between the United States and Djibouti.
A Time to Engage
As Djibouti takes on a more prominent leadership role within the African Union, now is the time for businesses and organizations to engage. The Roundtable provides a platform to connect with key stakeholders, understand evolving policy landscapes, and help shape the commercial future of one of the most strategically significant regions in the world.
Interested in joining the conversation?
Learn more about how your organization can become a member of the U.S.–Djibouti Business Roundtable and help build the bridge between U.S. innovation and African opportunity.
