The newly elected African Union (AU) Commission chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has pledged his commitment to addressing institutional challenges and elevate Africa’s position on the global stage.
Youssouf stated this on Thursday, following a handover ceremony that took place at the AU conference center and office complex in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He was sworn in alongside his deputy, Selma Haddadi, after being elected at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 15 February 2025.
Also, four of six new commissioners were sworn in at the handover ceremony following their election and appointment at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council on 12 February 2025.
In his speech, Youssouf expressed gratitude for the role and assured the African community of his desire to usher in “new life” into the organization.
He expressed his zeal to unite Africa and raise the continent to an enviable height.
Youssouf said, “Africa must take its destiny into its own hands. It’s time to assert ourselves as a determined continent, capable of influencing major global decisions and proposing solutions to the crises that affect us.
“I pledge today to act with determination to raise our Union to the level of our peoples’ expectations. We must breathe new life into our organization, strengthen our unity and assert Africa’s place in the concert of nations,” he stated.
Youssouf emphasised the urgent need to accelerat the implementation of the second decade of Africa’s developmental plan, Agenda 2063, to meet the expectations of the African population.
He also pledged to work towards the financial autonomy of the AU, to reduce dependence on external funding by exploring innovative financing mechanisms and to strengthen the collaboration between AU institutions.
The AU Chairperson vowed to fast-track the implementation of institutional reforms to address administrative and structural blockages.
“We must be an agile player, capable of responding to emergencies and anticipating future challenges,” he stated.
In his appreciation note, the outgoing Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, recalled the challenges he faced during his tenure that lasted for eight years and called on the new leaders to build on the existing legacies.
“We have done what we can. As I have said, there are certainly gaps and shortcomings. I’m sure that, with your fresh impetus and your faith in our organization, you’ll go far beyond the frontiers that are ours today and the legacy we’re leaving you,” Mahamat said.
“Everywhere, as you know as well as I do, new projects have been launched. It will be up to you to deepen, to correct, to change, to imagine new solutions that we have not been able to create or find. The dynamics of change will be your best support. Dare to go where we couldn’t,” he added.
Elected officials of the African Union Commission serve for a four-year term, renewable once.
The ceremony was attended by the President of Ethiopia, Taye Atske-Selassie, the President of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço and other African leaders.
Meanwhile, the election of the posts of two Commissioners – Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry, Mining (ETTIM), and Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI)-, will be conducted in the upcoming 24th Extraordinary session of the Executive Council.
