Rwanda backs Louise Mushikiwabo for third Francophonie term
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Taarifa
Rwanda is backing the candidacy of Louise Mushikiwabo, secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie since 2019, for a third term against three rivals, including Juliana Lumumba, backed by the DRC. The election for the 2027-2030 term is due to take place at the Francophonie summit on 15 and 16 November in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, according to Taarifa.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame is expected to attend the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for 15 and 16 November in Phnom Penh, where the secretary-general of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) will be elected for the 2027-2030 term. Rwanda will back the candidacy of Louise Mushikiwabo, secretary-general since 2019 and seeking a third term, Taarifa reports, citing informed sources.
Mushikiwabo will face Juliana Lumumba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s candidate, Coumba Ba of Mauritania, and former Romanian prime minister Dacian Ciolos. The four candidates were interviewed in June by OIF foreign ministers in Paris. Rwanda highlights Mushikiwabo’s record on institutional reform, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and youth development. The DRC is backing Lumumba’s candidacy, pointing to the country’s population size and status as a major French-speaking country.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe believes that disagreements between member states should not be carried over into an organisation with an international remit. The OIF usually seeks consensus in appointing its secretary-general, but a secret ballot could be held if no agreement is reached. The summit will bring together leaders and representatives of the 90 member states and governments; a ministerial conference is scheduled for 14 November.
The Phnom Penh summit will be the first to be held in Cambodia and the second in Asia, after Hanoi in 1997. It will take place under the theme “Reinvesting in peace for shared prosperity and lasting stability” and will address international cooperation, education, culture and sustainable development, among other issues.
