Mahamoud Youssouf: AUC Chairperson Visits Kenya Months after Defeating Raila Odinga in Addis Ababa
- President William Ruto hosted African Union Commission (AUC) chairman Mahmoud Youssouf in State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, June 26
- Their meeting, as revealed by Ruto, revolved around the reforms needed for the African Union
- This would be Mahmoud's first ever visit to Nairobi, months after routing the Kenyan candidate in the AUC chairmanship race
African Union Commission (AUC) chairman Mahmoud Youssouf was briefly in Kenya on Thursday, June 26.
Source: Twitter
Why Mahmoud Youssouf was in Kenya
He was hosted at the State House, Nairobi, by President William Ruto.
Mahmoud, with his mission, called on Ruto to brief him on the reforms urgently for the African Union (AU).
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"Reform of the African Union is an urgent priority to make our organisation fit for purpose to effectively serve as the continent's strongest voice. This will include ensuring that we adequately fund the AU's organs and institutions so that they can play their crucial role sufficientlym," Ruto said after meeting them.,
"Met AU Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, State House Nairobi. He briefed me on the progress of the reform process and the next steps we must take to make our organisation better," the president added.
This would be Mahmoud's first ever visit to Nairobi months after he trounced the Kenyan candidate in the AUC chairmanship race.
It was on February 16 when Mahmoud faced off with Kenya's Raila Odinga and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
The Djiboutian amassed 33 votes to win the vote.
How did African heads of state vote in AUC election?
With 49 heads of state partaking in the vote, the winner needed two-thirds of the total votes, translating to 33.
In round one of the vote, Raila won with 20 votes, against Mahmoud's 18 votes, and Randiamandrato's 10.
Having not met the win threshold, the ballot proceeded to the second round, in which Raila garnered 22 votes, against Mahmoud's 19 and 7 for the Madagascar candidate.
Source: Twitter
In the third round, the Djibouti candidate edged over Raila for the first time with 23 votes. Raila got 20 votes.
Madagascar's candidate got five votes and was eliminated at this stage.
In round four, Mahmoud garnered 25 votes, against Raila's 21.
The vote proceeded to the fifth round, where the Djibouti candidate was already gaining ground; he got 26 votes, against Raila's 21.
In the sixth round, Raila gained one vote to stand at 22 but was eliminated regardless; as per the AU election manual, a candidate who does not secure a majority of votes is eliminated, and the one with the most ballots left proceeds to the next phase.
Mahmoud proceeded to the seventh round one-man and managed to court seven votes that propelled him to victory.
He succeeded former Chad prime minister Moussa Faki.
What did Raila do after defeat?
Before taking part in the race, Raila had anticipated the two outcomes.
He said he would be fine with any that comes his way.
Raila travelled to the Middle East for a week after the loss, before returning to Kenya, where he said there was a lot to be worked on.
His major undertaking after the AUC defeat was his working pact with Ruto, which they signed on March 7.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
