Djibouti Appeals for Zimbabwe’s Support in African Union Leadership Race

Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, seeks Zimbabwe’s support in his candidacy for Chairperson of the African Union Commission. President Mnangagwa has expressed assurance of assistance for Youssef, who has extensive experience in foreign affairs. The elections will take place in Addis Ababa next year, with several candidates competing for the position amid reforms in the AU’s governance structure.

In a diplomatic gesture, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe welcomed a special envoy from Djibouti, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Amina Abidi Aden, who conveyed a request for assistance regarding Djibouti’s candidate for the Chairmanship of the African Union Commission. The Djiboutian candidate, Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssef, currently holding the position of Foreign Affairs Minister, is contending for leadership within the African Union’s governance structure, aiming to succeed the incumbent Moussa Faki, who has been in office since 2017. During the meeting held at State House in Harare, Minister Aden expressed the purpose of her visit: “I came here to bring the message of the President of the Republic of Djibouti Ismaïl Omar Guelleh to request the support of the President of Zimbabwe for our candidate for African Union Commission chair during the election which will be held in Addis Ababa next year.” She further disclosed that President Mnangagwa had committed to supporting Minister Youssef, highlighting his extensive experience accrued over two decades in the role of Foreign Affairs Minister. “Djibouti’s candidate has the requisite experience to lead the African Union Commission and to implement Agenda 2063 programme of the African Commission and we hope that we will get the support of Zimbabwe,” she added. Minister Youssef is one of four candidates competing for the position, alongside notable figures such as Raila Odinga from Kenya, Fawzia Yusuf Adam from Somalia, and former Vice President Vincent Meriton of Seychelles. The African Union’s decision in March to allow the Eastern Africa region the opportunity to nominate the next chairperson follows ongoing reforms initiated in November 2018. These reforms are intended to enhance the integrity and transparency of leadership selection processes, emphasizing equitable regional representation, gender balance, and the recruitment of highly qualified individuals across the continent.

The African Union (AU) is an organization encompassing 55 African countries, aimed at promoting unity, peace, and development across the continent. The position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission is pivotal in steering the organization’s agenda and execution of key programs such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to outline a strategic framework for the continent’s socioeconomic transformation. Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssef of Djibouti is contesting to take over this significant leadership role amidst a competitive field of candidates from various Eastern African nations. The upcoming elections are set to occur in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the AU’s headquarters is located. Djibouti is actively seeking support from regional allies, such as Zimbabwe, to strengthen its candidate’s chances in this critical election.

The meeting between President Mnangagwa and the Djiboutian envoy signifies the importance of regional alliances within the African Union and highlights Djibouti’s ambition to secure leadership within the organization. The commitment of Zimbabwe to support Minister Youssef reflects a collaborative approach toward achieving shared goals within the African continent. As the elections approach, the focus will remain on the candidates’ qualifications and the AU’s ongoing reforms aimed at equitable representation and merit-based leadership selection.

Original Source: www.chronicle.co.zw