AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Youssouf Appoints Yann Bedzigui As Chief Of Staff

AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Youssouf Appoints Yann Bedzigui as Chief of Staff The Chairperson of the African Union AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has appointed Dr. Yann Bedzigui as his new Chief of Staff, in a move aimed at strengthening coordination and advancing the institution’s strategic priorities and continental objectives. The announcement was made in an official statement from the AU Commission on Monday, confirming that Bedzigui will support the Chairperson in driving key administrative and policy initiatives across the organisation. According to the AU, Dr. Bedzigui brings extensive experience in governance, international relations, and African institutional policy work, which will be central to his new role. He is expected to assist the Chairperson in coordinating internal operations, managing strategic engagements, and ensuring effective implementation of AU programmes aligned with its long-term vision and Agenda 2063 objectives. Bedzigui is a Cameroonian academic and policy expert with a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from Université Panthéon-Assas in Paris. He has built a career focused on African Union governance, peace and security frameworks, conflict prevention, and regional cooperation, with several publications on continental political dynamics and institutional development. The AU Commission also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Chief of Staff, Ambassador Souef Mohamed El-Amine, commending his leadership, professionalism, and service to the institution. He previously served in various diplomatic and UN roles before joining the AU leadership structure, where he contributed to coordination and administrative reforms within the Chairperson’s office..The Chief of Staff position is regarded as one of the most influential roles within the African Union Commission, responsible for

• Coordinating the Chairperson’s office
• Managing internal administrative operations
• Supporting policy development and implementation
• Liaising with AU member states and external partners

The AU said the appointment reflects ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency within the Commission and ensure stronger alignment with Africa’s development and governance priorities. It added that the new leadership arrangement is intended to reinforce institutional effectiveness and improve delivery on continental initiative

With the appointment of Yann Bedzigui, the AU Commission signals a renewed focus on strategic coordination and policy execution as it continues to address governance, peace, and development challenges across the continent.