The newly elected Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, arrived in Mogadishu today on his first official visit, leading a high-level delegation following an invitation from the Somali government.
Upon arrival at Aden Adde International Airport, Youssouf and his delegation received a warm welcome from Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, along with other senior government officials. Security across the capital was significantly tightened, with additional forces deployed to ensure the safety of the AU delegation.
Following the reception, the AU Chair was escorted to the Presidential Palace, where he is set to meet with top Somali leaders. Their discussions will focus on the latest security developments in Somalia, the evolving regional situation, and the role of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) in ongoing military operations against the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Youssouf, who has served as Djibouti’s Foreign Minister since 2005, was elected as the Chairperson of the AU Commission on February 15, 2025, after securing the required two-thirds majority vote from regional leaders. His new role places him at the helm of a continental body representing Africa’s 1.5 billion people, with a mandate to strengthen regional stability and cooperation.
