In a his very first appointment within the African Union (AU) Commission, after landing in Addis Ababa, newly elected Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has appointed Mohamed El-Amine Souef from Comoros as his new Chief of Staff.
Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar from Djibouti will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff. Both appointees come from the Eastern bloc and francophone nations, reflecting Youssouf’s efforts to reward loyalty and strengthen his leadership team.
Souef takes over from seasoned diplomat Prof. Mohamed El Hecen Lebatt of Mauritania, while Ambassador Omar replaces Ambassador Tordeta Retabaye of Chad.
These changes come as part of a broader reshuffle, which also highlights the dynamics within the AU Commission’s leadership following Youssouf’s election.
Despite initially vying for the top AU position himself, Souef struggled to gain enough support from the Francophone bloc. He later withdrew his candidacy in a strategic move to back Youssouf, earning praise for his loyalty, which ultimately positioned him for the influential role of Chief of Staff. Diplomats familiar with the situation have confirmed that Souef played a key role in securing the backing of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc for Youssouf’s candidacy, further solidifying his place within the AU Commission.
A well-known figure in African diplomacy, Souef’s experience in peacekeeping and international cooperation is extensive. He previously served as the Special Representative of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and head of the African Union Stabilization for Somalia (AUSSOM), under UN Security Council Resolution 2767 (2024).
His previous roles include working with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA) in Mali, further enhancing his credentials for managing high-stakes diplomatic and peacekeeping operations.
Souef has also held key positions within Comoros, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for two separate terms, and has served as the Permanent Representative of Comoros to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador to Egypt and the Arab League, and senior advisor to the Comoros President. Fluent in French, English, Arabic, and Swahili, Souef brings a rich multilingual and multicultural perspective to his new role.
With these appointments, expectations are high for the AU Commission under Mahmoud Ali Youssouf’s leadership. Souef’s extensive diplomatic experience and commitment to the AU’s objectives will be critical in navigating the complex challenges facing the continent, including peacekeeping, regional cooperation, and the promotion of Africa’s unity on the global stage.