French President Emmanuel Macron has extended his congratulations to Mahmoud Ali Youssouf following his election as chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) in the recent election.

In a statement on Sunday, February 16, 2025, Macron, in a heartfelt message highlighted the crucial role Africa plays on the global stage adding that the voice of Africa is more anticipated.

Macron further reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Youssouf and the African Union, pledging that France will stand by the continent in its ongoing efforts to address pressing challenges.

“I congratulate the President @ymahmoudali on his election as President of the African Union Commission. The voice of Africa is more awaited than ever today and France will be at its side, “Macron congratulated Youssouf.

AUC 2025 election

The AUC chairmanship elections were held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and in the first round, Kenya’s candidate, Raila Odinga, took the lead after he garnered 20 votes, followed closely by his Djibouti rival, who garnered 18 votes, and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar got 10 votes.

In the second round, Raila got 22 votes, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf got 19, and Randriamandrato garnered seven votes. One abstained.

In the third round, Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf took the lead with 23 votes, followed closely by Raila, who got 20 votes, with Madagascar’s Randriamandrato garnering five. One abstained in this round.

The race narrowed to two candidates after the Madagascar candidate was dropped after the third round.

In the fourth round, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf still took the lead with 25 votes, with Raila getting 21. Two votes were spoiled, with two abstentions.

The gap widened further in the fifth round, with Youssouf earning 26 votes compared to Odinga’s 21, while two states abstained. And in the final round, Youssouf clinched victory by securing the majority needed for the AUC chairmanship, marking a significant diplomatic achievement for Djibouti.

Macron’s support for Africa

On January 27, 2025, President William Ruto disclosed that Macron had expressed support for the regional efforts to deal with the already volatile situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“I have spoken to President @EmmanuelMacron of France on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He has expressed support for the regional efforts to deal with the challenge. President Macron also committed his country’s support for the interventions being carried out, and for Kenya’s participation in other peace initiatives in Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan,” Ruto stated.