Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf has clinched the top seat as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) after securing 33 votes, marking the beginning of a new era for the continent’s leadership.

The election, held during the African Union Summit, saw Youssouf defeat his opponents Raila Odinga and Mauritania’s Richard Randriamandrato in a tight race.

During the first round, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won with 20 votes, followed by Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf with 18 and with Randriamandrato 10 votes.

Odinga won again in the second round with 22 votes, followed by Djibouti's Youssouf Ali with 19 votes, while Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato trailed with 7.

For the third round, Djibouti's Mahmoud Youssouf won with 23 votes, followed by Raila Odinga with 20 votes while Madagascar's Randriamandrato got 5, with one country abstaining from voting.

Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf lead once again for the fourth round with 25 votes against Raila Odinga’s 21. Randriamandrato was removed from this round.

Mahmoud Youssouf won again in round five with 26 votes against Raila Odinga’s 21 who lost again to Youssouf in round six with 22 votes.

Odinga following his defeat in round six, withdrew from the race, with Djibouti's Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf winning AUC chairmanship with 33 votes in the seventh round.

He takes over from Moussa Faki, who has served in the role for two terms, since 2017. 

The 59-year-old is a career diplomat who, before his appointment as AUC chair served as foreign minister of Djibouti since 2005.

He speaks French, English, and Arabic and has knowledge on AU institutions.

His leadership comes at a critical time when Africa is pushing for economic self-reliance through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Additionally, concerns over conflicts in [mention key conflict areas] and Africa’s place in global diplomacy remain top priorities for the new chairperson.