•AU Refused to Be a Hostage of Kenya’s Internal Affairs, Djibouti Says
Djibouti has strongly criticized Kenyan President William Ruto’s reaction to the defeat of his preferred candidate, Raila Odinga, in the race for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson.
The sharp response came after Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf was declared the winner, having secured the backing of a majority of African Heads of State.
The controversy unfolded after President Ruto expressed disappointment over Odinga’s loss, stating that Africa had “lost an opportunity” to have a leader capable of addressing the continent’s pressing challenges.
However, Djibouti dismissed this claim, asserting that the election outcome reflected Africa’s firm rejection of external political interference in AU affairs.
Djibouti’s Diplomatic Counterattack
Leading Djibouti’s response was Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar, a communication expert at the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Omar directly addressed President Ruto’s remarks, emphasizing that the election result demonstrated Africa’s refusal to be influenced by Kenya’s domestic political landscape.
“In response to President Ruto on Citizen TV Kenya: claiming Africa ‘lost an opportunity’ is dishonest. Thirty-three Heads of State chose Mahmoud, the right choice for Africa’s challenges, refusing to let the AU be hostage to Kenyan domestic politics. Africa deserved better than Raila,” Omar wrote.
His statement suggested that African leaders prioritized competency over political alliances, signaling a broader regional sentiment against external influence in continental governance.
Mahmoud’s Victory and Response
Following his victory, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf acknowledged President Ruto’s reaction but maintained a diplomatic stance, expressing his willingness to work with all African leaders, including Kenya.
He shared his commitment to strengthening the AU and addressing key challenges facing the continent.
The exchange between Kenya and Djibouti underscores the political undercurrents that often accompany high-stakes leadership races within the African Union.
While Kenya sought to position Raila Odinga as the best candidate for the AUC chairmanship, Djibouti’s win demonstrated that African leaders had a different vision for the continent’s future leadership.
With Mahmoud now at the helm of the AU Commission, attention shifts to how he will navigate the organization’s mandate while managing the political dynamics among member states.
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