The President of the MAAUN Group of Universities, Prof. Adamu Abubakar-Gwarzo, has officially endorsed Mahmoud Ali Youssouf for the position of African Union (AU) Chairperson.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the AU Commission election, slated for February 2025, will feature three candidates: Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Raila Amolo Odinga of Kenya, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
Prof. Gwarzo announced his endorsement during a courtesy visit from Salifu Diouf, Director of the Pan African School of Diplomacy, at his office on Saturday.
“This is the time to rally behind someone who truly has Africa’s interests at heart and can foster unity and prosperity across the continent,” said Prof. Gwarzo.
Highlighting Africa’s current challenges, he added, “We see what’s happening in Sudan, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and other countries. The current chairperson, Moussa Faki, has failed to unite the continent or bring meaningful progress. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, with his extensive experience as Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2005, is highly qualified and capable of delivering much-needed change.”
Prof. Gwarzo, a former President of the Association for the Protection of the Rights of Journalists in Africa, urged stakeholders to lend their support to Youssouf’s candidacy.
In response, Salifu Diouf commended Prof. Gwarzo for his commitment to education and philanthropy, noting his significant contributions to uplifting the underprivileged in Africa.
The new AU Chairperson will be elected via a secret ballot during the 38th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2025.
According to the AU Executive Council, it is East Africa’s turn to produce the chairperson, while North Africa will compete for the deputy chairperson role. Past chairpersons have been from Western, Central, and Southern Africa.
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