Djibouti Entry for AUC Chairmanship Race Divides Eastern Africa Vote

Djibouti’s entry into the race for the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson could see member states in two key blocs in the Eastern Africa region take sides ahead of the voting next year. Djibouti officially confirmed it was fronting its Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as a candidate for the next AUC chairperson, becoming the third person to show interest in the continental top post. Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga and Somalia’s former Foreign Affairs minister Fawzia Adam had announced their candidature earlier. But while the post will only be contested by countries in Eastern Africa, Djibouti’s entry means there won’t be unity on one candidate for now, continuing a past trend. (The EastAfrican)