The 20th summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) began on Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with the election of a new secretary-general as the main agenda item. The meeting is taking place against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions. French President Emmanuel Macron has been trying to persuade Rwanda to withdraw the candidacy of Louise Mushikiwabo, a move that Kigali has denounced as French interference.
The summit brings together heads of state and government from the OIF's 90 member countries for a two-day meeting. Macron warned against divisions within the Francophone community, highlighting the importance of unity. The Rwandan president's decision to run for a third term has sparked controversy, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) opposing her re-election. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group in its eastern provinces, a claim also made by the US and UN experts.
The DRC has put forward its own candidate, Juliana Lumumba, daughter of Patrice Lumumba, a legendary anti-colonial and pan-African figure. However, Lumumba's candidacy has struggled to gain traction, with former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș and former Mauritanian Minister Coumba Ba also in the running. The DRC has threatened to leave the OIF if Mushikiwabo is re-elected, which would be a significant blow to the organization given the DRC's status as the second-largest Francophone country.
The DRC is home to 57.3 million French speakers, according to OIF figures, making it the second-largest Francophone country after France. With a population of over 110 million, it is also the most populous country with French as an official language. The potential departure of the DRC would come on top of the announced withdrawals of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in March 2025.
Tensions escalated on Saturday, November 14, when the DRC said it was "ready" to withdraw Lumumba's candidacy and consider a joint move in support of Cioloș. The same day, Rwanda denounced what it called "pressure" from Paris. Kigali said it had "rejected" a request from Macron, who had proposed that the Rwandan president withdraw Mushikiwabo's candidacy to allow for a consensus.
The OIF has been facing internal divisions, with some member countries questioning Mushikiwabo's leadership. The organization has struggled to maintain unity, particularly in the face of withdrawals and candidacy disputes. The outcome of the summit's election remains uncertain, with several candidates vying for the top spot.
The Francophonie summit's outcome will have significant implications for the future of the OIF and its role in promoting French language and culture. The organization's ability to navigate internal divisions and maintain unity will be crucial in determining its effectiveness in promoting cooperation among its member countries.
Key points
- The 20th Francophonie summit faces divisions over Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo's candidacy for secretary-general.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo opposes Mushikiwabo's re-election, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group.
- The summit's outcome will have significant implications for the future of the OIF and its role in promoting French language and culture.
