AUC vote: How Heads of State voted

African Heads of State and Government and delegates during the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 15, 2025. [PCS]

The African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship elections progressed through seven rounds before Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf secured victory.

Round 1

Kenya’s Raila Odinga led with 20 votes, followed by Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf with 18. Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato received ten.

Round 2

Odinga maintained his lead with 22 votes, while Youssouf garnered 19. Randriamandrato trailed with seven votes.

Round 3

Youssouf overtook Odinga, winning 23 votes to Odinga’s 20. Randriamandrato received five votes, and one country abstained.

Round 4

Youssouf extended his lead with 25 votes, while Odinga secured 21. Randriamandrato was eliminated. One country abstained.

Round 5

Youssouf widened the margin, winning 26 votes against Odinga’s 21.

Round 6

The results remained largely unchanged, with Youssouf receiving 26 votes, Odinga 22, and one abstention.

Round 7

Youssouf clinched the AUC chairmanship with 33 votes, defeating Odinga after multiple rounds.

A total of 49 countries participated in the election, with the winner required to secure at least two-thirds of the votes.