The 20th Francophonie Summit kicked off in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Sunday, bringing together over 80 French-speaking territories. Heads of state and government leaders are attending the two-day event. However, the summit is being overshadowed by tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The two countries are at odds over their candidates for the organization's new head.
The International Organisation of the Francophonie is set to elect its next secretary-general on Monday for a four-year term. Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo has been leading the organisation for eight years and is running for a third term. However, the DRC strongly opposes her re-election and has threatened to quit the organisation if she wins. The DRC has proposed Juliana Lumumba, daughter of national hero Patrice Lumumba, as its candidate.
Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda are running high due to the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group's activities in the region, which Rwanda denies. Earlier this week, Rwanda denounced France's involvement in the election of a new secretary-general. Rwanda claimed that French President Emmanuel Macron asked his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to withdraw its candidate.
France had supported Mushikiwabo in 2018 as ties warmed between Paris and Kigali. However, France has publicly expressed neutrality in this year's contest. After news of Macron's efforts emerged, his office said Paris had suggested both the Congolese and Rwandan candidates withdraw in the interests of unity. Macron warned against "internal fractures" in his opening address, saying the organisation should preserve its unity.
The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) gathers around 90 states and nations, including 53 full members. The OIF is a post-colonial entity resembling the Commonwealth. Last year, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso withdrew from the OIF after successive coups that saw Paris-friendly governments replaced by pro-Russian juntas.
The departure of the DR Congo, the second most Francophone country after France with 57.3 million speakers, would be a major blow to the organisation. In his address, Macron emphasized the importance of dialogue and mediation. He said the organisation's shared language strengthens its ability to bring peoples together and find jointly agreed solutions.
The summit will conclude on Monday with the election of the new secretary-general. The outcome is uncertain, with both Rwanda and the DRC refusing to back down. The election's result will likely have significant implications for the organisation and its member states.
Key points
- The Francophonie Summit is being overshadowed by tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda over the organization's new head.
- The DRC has threatened to quit the organisation if Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo is re-elected as secretary-general.
- France has expressed neutrality in the contest but has suggested both candidates withdraw in the interests of unity.
