Raila Breaks Silence after Losing AUC Chair Seat to Djibouti’s Ali Youssouf

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has broken his silence after losing the African Union Commission Chairmanship race to Djibouti’s Mohamoud Ali Youssouf.

Speaking to the Media after the elections in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Odinga conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent.

“I accept the outcome of the votes. Therefore I’m myself conceding defeat,” he said.

“They say that we must strengthen democracy in the African continent and I want us to use this as an example.”
Raila added that he was prepared for both scenarios, either winning or losing, ahead of the elections.

“I’m not bitter. I’m very happy in fact and I’m still available to offer any services to the continent in any other capacity,” Raila Odinga added.

“I want to wish my competitor all the best. I want to wish him success in his undertaking,” he said.

The former PM also extended gratitude to the leaders who cast their votes for him.

“I want to thank all those members who voted for me. I also want to thank those who did not vote for me because in doing so, they exercised their democratic rights,” he said.

Djibouti’s Mahamoud Ali Youssouf Beats Raila Odinga

Raila won the first two rounds of voting but lost the following three to Djibouti candidate Mahamoud Ali Youssouf.

Raila received 20 votes in the first round, 18 from Mahamoud, and 10 from Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato. There was one abstention vote.

In the second round, Raila garnered 22 votes, Mahamoud received 19, and Randriamandrato received 7. One country abstained from the second round as well.

The former Kenyan Prime Minister, however, fell short in the third round, getting 20 votes, losing to Mahamoud, who moved to first place with 23 votes, and Randriamandrato, who came in third with 5 votes.

There was still one abstention, and Randriamandrato was eliminated from the contest, leaving Raila to face Mahamoud.

Mahamoud retained his lead in the fourth round, with 25 votes to Raila’s 21. There was one spoilt vote, and one nation abstained.

In the fifth round, Mahamoud received 26 votes, Raila received 21, and one nation abstained.
Mahamoud maintained his lead into the sixth round, with 26 votes, while Raila received 22 votes and one abstention.

Raila was then removed from the ballot, leaving Mahamoud as the sole contender in the seventh round in an attempt to secure two-thirds of the votes.

Mahamoud won the AUC Chair seat after garnering 33 votes, constituting the required two-thirds, in round 7, and is now set to replace the outgoing Moussa Faki of Chad who has held the position for 8 years.

Mahamoud won the AUC Chair seat after garnering 33 votes and is now set to replace the outgoing Moussa Faki of Chad who has held the position for 8 years.