The Democratic Republic of the Congo's Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, has arrived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to attend the 20th summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). The summit, scheduled for November 14-16, comes at a critical time for the organization, with the election of a new secretary-general on the agenda. Kayikwamba's participation is seen as a crucial move by the DR Congo to influence the outcome.
The DR Congo is opposed to the re-election of Louise Mushikiwabo, the current secretary-general from Rwanda, who is seeking a third term. Kinshasa has questioned Mushikiwabo's ability to uphold the principles of solidarity, sovereignty, and democracy within the organization. The DR Congo-Rwanda relations have been strained, with the DR Congo accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo.
The DR Congo is promoting its own candidate, Juliana Amato Lumumba, for the top position. The country's government has made it clear that it will not compromise on its stance, with President Félix Tshisekedi reportedly warning Paris that a re-election of Mushikiwabo could lead to the DR Congo's withdrawal from the organization. The DR Congo's participation in the summit is seen as a test of its commitment to the OIF.
The summit has drawn attention from other countries, including France, which is seeking to prevent a rift between the DR Congo and the OIF. French President Emmanuel Macron has been involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue, reportedly proposing a postponement of the election or a compromise candidate. The outcome of the summit will have significant implications for the future of the OIF and the DR Congo's role within it.
The OIF is a crucial organization for the DR Congo, with the country being the largest francophone nation in the world. A withdrawal from the organization would be a significant loss for the OIF, which has already faced setbacks with the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The DR Congo's participation in the summit is seen as a key moment in determining its future relationship with the OIF.
The summit will see four candidates vying for the top position: Louise Mushikiwabo, Juliana Amato Lumumba, Coumba Ba, and Dacian Cioloș. The election of a new secretary-general will have significant implications for the OIF's future direction and the DR Congo's role within it. The outcome will also reflect the organization's ability to balance the interests of its member states.
The DR Congo's diplomatic efforts at the summit will be closely watched, as the country seeks to promote its interests and influence the outcome of the election. The summit's outcome will have far-reaching implications for the DR Congo's relationships with other countries, particularly within the francophone world. The country's commitment to the OIF and its values will be tested in the coming days.
Key points
- The DR Congo is promoting its own candidate, Juliana Amato Lumumba, for the OIF secretary-general position.
- The country is opposed to the re-election of Louise Mushikiwabo, citing concerns over her ability to uphold the organization's principles.
- The summit's outcome will have significant implications for the DR Congo's role within the OIF and its relationships with other countries.
