The former Prime Minister was eliminated in the sixth round of voting during the election held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf won the race after securing 33 votes in the seventh and final round.
Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar, the third candidate in the race, was eliminated earlier. Youssouf will take over from Moussa Faki, who has served as AUC Chairperson for two terms since 2017.
The outcome is a disappointment for Kenya, which had high hopes for Raila’s victory. This marks the second time the country has failed to secure the top seat, following Ambassador Amina Mohamed’s loss in 2017.
The election was highly competitive, with Raila starting strong in the first few rounds. His campaign team had earlier claimed he had support from 21 African countries.
In the first round, Raila garnered 20 votes, giving his supporters hope. However, Djibouti’s candidate Youssouf soon gained momentum.
By the third round, Youssouf overtook Raila, securing 23 votes while Raila remained with 20. Randriamandrato of Madagascar received only five votes and was eliminated.
In the fourth round, Youssouf extended his lead with 25 votes, while Raila got 21. There was one spoilt vote and two abstentions. The fifth round saw Youssouf increase his tally to 26, with Raila holding onto his 21 votes.
The sixth round became the turning point for Raila’s campaign. Youssouf maintained 26 votes while Raila increased his count to 22. Unfortunately, this was not enough to keep him in the race.
Under AU election rules, when no candidate secures a two-thirds majority, the one with fewer votes is eliminated. Raila was, therefore, disqualified, leaving Youssouf as the leading contender.
In the seventh and final round, Youssouf easily won with 33 votes, becoming the seventh AUC Chairperson since the commission was established in 2002. He will serve a four-year term, with the possibility of re-election for another term.
Kenya’s quest to lead the AUC has now failed twice. In 2017, Ambassador Amina Mohamed lost despite an early lead, with Moussa Faki eventually winning in the seventh round.
Raila Odinga had actively campaigned across Africa, often joining President William Ruto on diplomatic trips to rally support.
His elimination indicates the complex nature of AU elections, where regional alliances and political strategies play a crucial role.
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