Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf announced the appointment of Mohamed Idris Farah, a senior advisor to the minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Djibouti, as special envoy to Madagascar.
The continental bloc in a statement said on Monday that Farah, the top performing Pan-African diplomat, would bring to the new post a wealth of cognitive expertise and experience to promote mediation and dialogue in the island country.
According to the statement, Farah served as the permanent representative of Djibouti to the AU for over a decade and the Overall Dean of African Ambassadors. He was also advisor to the AU High Level Panel on the Ethiopian peace process from 2022 to 2023.
The appointment forms part of the roadmap setup by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) based on the decisions adopted at its previous two meetings, held on 14 and 15 October 2025, respectively, on the ongoing political situation in Madagascar, the statement noted.
The special envoy’s mandate encompasses the intensification of engagements with governmental authorities, youth leaders, civil society, regional actors and organizations, as well as all relevant stakeholders, with a view to fostering inclusive dialogue, building consensus, and promoting mutual understanding towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis and the swift restoration of constitutional order in the island nation.
With his extensive professional experience, profound understanding of the regional dynamics and deep knowledge of the inner functioning of the AU system, the Chairperson expressed confidence over the capability of Farah to contribute to the effective delivery and coordination of the AU efforts towards addressing the current political situation in the country.
MG/abj/APA