President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe met with a special envoy from Djibouti to discuss support for Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssef’s candidacy for the African Union Commission chairmanship. Youssef is one of four candidates vying for the position, with elections set for next year in Addis Ababa. The discussions highlighted Zimbabwe’s support for Djibouti’s candidate and the broader context of recent reforms within the African Union.
On the occasion of a recent meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa received a special envoy representing President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti. The purpose of this visit was to garner support for Djibouti’s nominee, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Minister Youssef is one of four candidates competing to succeed the incumbent chairman, Moussa Faki, who has held the office since 2017. During her address, Amina Abidi Aden, the Djibouti Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, conveyed President Guelleh’s request for assistance in advancing their candidate’s bid in the elections scheduled to occur in Addis Ababa next year. She stated, “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.” Following their discussions, Minister Aden noted that President Mnangagwa provided assurances of support for Minister Youssef, emphasizing that the candidate possesses significant experience accrued during his two-decade tenure as Foreign Affairs Minister. Aden further asserted, “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.” The competing candidates for the post include Raila Odinga from Kenya, Fawzia Yusuf Adam from Somalia, and former Vice President Vincent Meriton of Seychelles. Notably, in March, the African Union collectively determined that the Eastern Africa region should have the privilege of nominating the next chairperson, which is emblematic of broader institutional reforms initiated in November 2018. These reforms aim to enhance transparency, meritocracy, equitable regional representation, gender parity, and the recruitment of exceptional talents throughout Africa.
This article discusses the recent diplomatic engagement between Zimbabwe and Djibouti regarding the African Union Commission chairpersonship. The meeting was pivotal as it underscored Djibouti’s strategic interest in having its Foreign Affairs Minister, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, ascend to a prominent leadership position within the African Union. The backdrop for this interaction is the decision made by the African Union in March 2021, which allows the Eastern Africa region to nominate the next chairperson, reflecting ongoing reforms aimed at promoting fairness and inclusivity in the leadership selection process across the continent.
In conclusion, Djibouti is actively seeking the support of Zimbabwe for its candidate, Mahmoud Ali Youssef, in the race for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. This initiative highlights Djibouti’s diplomatic efforts to secure a leadership role within the AU, backed by Mr. Youssef’s extensive experience as a Foreign Affairs Minister. The engagement between President Mnangagwa and Minister Aden signifies Zimbabwe’s potential role in supporting regional representation and governance reforms within the African Union.
Original Source: www.chronicle.co.zw
