Mahmoud Ali Youssouf

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf is the Chairman of the African Union Commission. He is newsworthy due to his recent statements at the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2026. During the summit, Youssouf called for an end to the “extermination” of the Palestinian people, reflecting the African Union's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also addressed the issue of ongoing wars within Africa. The summit, attended by African heads of state, also featured Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Simultaneously, China is increasing its soft power initiatives in Africa, focusing on cultural exchange and technological engagement, as part of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People exchanges. Youssouf's position as AU Commission Chair makes his statements significant in shaping the African Union's diplomatic and political agenda.