Djibouti has hit back at President William Ruto over his remarks following the election of Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as the new Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, defeating Kenya’s Raila Odinga.
The election, held during the AU summit in Addis Ababa, saw 33 heads of state vote in favor of Djibouti’s candidate, a result that Ruto later described as a missed opportunity for Africa.
In response, Djibouti’s Director of Communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar, dismissed Ruto’s disappointment, calling his assessment dishonest.
Omar argued that Africa had made the right choice by electing Youssouf and rejected the notion that the AU had been deprived of a better leader. He further suggested that the election was won on merit, not influenced by Kenya’s internal political considerations.
“Thirty-three heads of state chose Mahmoud, the right choice for Africa’s challenges, refusing to let the AU be hostage to Kenyan domestic politics. Africa deserved better than Raila,” he asserted.
President Ruto, speaking after the results were announced, did not hide his frustration, insisting that Odinga was the best candidate for the job. “I am disappointed because Raila Amolo Odinga did not win, yet he was the best candidate. And I regret that Africa missed an opportunity to be served by the finest of our continent,” Ruto said.
Despite the outcome, he commended Odinga for running a strong campaign, praising his commitment and availability throughout the process. “Right on this AU chairmanship, Baba made me very proud. He was the best candidate we could put forward. He was available whenever I booked an appointment, he was there. Whenever he had to travel, he was there. Whether it was early morning or late evening, he was present,” Ruto added.
The exchange of words between Kenya and Djibouti underscores the political and diplomatic weight of the AU Commission election. While Kenya aggressively lobbied for Odinga’s victory, the overwhelming support for Youssouf suggests that many African leaders had a different diplomatic consensus. The results have also sparked discussions on Kenya’s approach to continental politics and whether its strategy was effective in securing regional backing.
Despite the loss, Ruto remained optimistic about Kenya’s future role in African leadership, stating that Odinga’s campaign had strengthened Kenya’s diplomatic presence. “We will walk with our heads held high as we go back home to continue the journey of consolidating our country, our progress, and making sure that we drive into the future—united and together,” he said.
With Youssouf set to take over as the AU Commission Chair, focus will now shift to how he navigates the pressing challenges facing the continent.
Meanwhile, Kenya will have to recalibrate its diplomatic approach after this high-stakes election, which has revealed the complexities and rivalries that shape African leadership contests. Whether this election will strain relations between Kenya and Djibouti remains to be seen, but the heated reactions from both sides indicate just how deeply invested they were in the outcome.