La Francophonie: Coumba Bâ denies withdrawing candidacy
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Confidentiel Afrique
Coumba Bâ, a former Mauritanian minister and candidate for secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, denies withdrawing her candidacy. She says she is continuing consultations with member states and defending a vision of unity, according to a statement carried by Confidentiel Afrique.
Dr Coumba Bâ, a former Mauritanian minister and candidate for the post of secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), denies having withdrawn her candidacy or negotiated its withdrawal in exchange for a position within the organisation. In a statement, she described the reports as “unfounded” and said she was defending a vision of unity, Confidentiel Afrique reports.
The Mauritanian candidate said she was continuing consultations with OIF member states and governments. She also called for the procedures for the appointment to be clearly established and expressed reservations about using a simple majority in the absence of consensus, saying that the secretary-general should enjoy very broad support, according to Confidentiel Afrique.
This position comes amid a contest marked by Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s support for the Rwandan candidate and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi’s support for the candidate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Coumba Bâ’s candidacy follows through on the priority she announced on 17 October of returning the Sahel to the priorities of La Francophonie, set out in her plans for the OIF. Rwanda had backed a third term for Louise Mushikiwabo on 1 November, Confidentiel Afrique reports, in the debate over the leadership of La Francophonie.
