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On February 16, 2025, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (Djibouti, Eastern Region) was elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), together with H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi (Algeria, Northern Region) as the Deputy Chairperson to serve a four-years term, renewable once. The two leaders were elected and sworn in during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government that took place from 15 to 16 February 2025. Both elected officials were able to secure the required two thirds majority votes of the 49 AU member states that are eligible to vote.

H.E. Mahmoud Youssouf will take over from the outgoing Chairperson, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat (Chad, Central Region) who has served as the AUC Chairperson for two terms since 2017. H.E. Mahmoud Youssouf is the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Djibouti, and he also previously served as both the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) among key other roles. Other candidates who were vying for the AUC Chairperson position were H.E. Raila Amolo Odinga (Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya) and H.E. Richard Randriamandrato (Former Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Madagascar). The full profile of H.E. Mahmoud Youssouf can be accessed HERE.

On the other hand, the Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Selma Haddadi is career diplomat and the current Ambassador of Algeria to Ethiopia and the Permanent Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA, she is also a legal expert. H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi will take over from H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa (Rwanda, Eastern Region) who was elected in 2021, becoming the first female Deputy Chairperson of the AUC.  Read the profile of H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi  HERE.

Just before the elections of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson during the Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, four AUC Commissioners were elected during the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on 12 February 2025. AUC Commissioners are also elected for a four-year term, renewable once.

Read the full press release of the AUC HERE

The African Court Coalition congratulates the newly elected AUC Chairperson and his Deputy, as well as the elected AUC Commissioners and wish them all the very best in serving their respective terms and serving the interest and the peoples of Africa. We also commend the process that was deployed during the pre-selection of candidates and we strongly recommend a similar process to be deployed in the selections of other members of the AUC in particular the selections of judges, commissioners and members of the Human Rights organs of the AUC. We also urge the newly elected AUC leadership to facilitate positive AU reforms that are inclusive and beneficial to African citizens; to prioritize the protection and promotion of Human Rights in the continent; and to strengthen the African Human Rights system.