Louise Mushikiwabo Reelected as OIF Secretary General

Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda has been reelected as the Secretary General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). According to sources close to the organization, Mushikiwabo secured 26 votes out of 51 cast during a closed-door meeting of OIF heads of state in Phnom Penh. The voting process took place on Monday morning and lasted for one hour and 22 minutes. A total of 53 heads of state and government of the full members of the OIF were eligible to cast their votes.

The election was held under the 2022 rules of the OIF, which state that a simple majority is required for the position. With 26 votes, Mushikiwabo secured her second term as Secretary General. The other candidates, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania and Dacian Cioloș of Romania, received 18 and 7 votes, respectively. Two members were absent during the voting process. The official announcement of Mushikiwabo's reelection is expected to be made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, expressed optimism about the outcome, saying "let's wait for the announcement" as he left the closed-door meeting with a broad smile. The Mauritanian camp, which supported Coumba Bâ, stated that they would congratulate the winner if the result is confirmed. They described their candidacy as one of unity.

However, not all member states were pleased with the outcome. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) delegation left the convention center without waiting for the official announcement, expressing their impatience. An adviser to the DRC presidency told France's media giant Le Monde that Mushikiwabo's election was illegitimate, given that she secured only 26 votes out of 53 members.

The adviser also stated that the DRC would suspend its participation in OIF bodies, effective immediately. This reaction highlights the controversy surrounding Mushikiwabo's reelection. Despite this, Mushikiwabo's supporters argue that her reelection is a testament to her leadership and the confidence that member states have in her.

Mushikiwabo's first term as Secretary General has been marked by efforts to promote the French language and culture, as well as to strengthen cooperation among OIF member states. Her reelection is likely to be seen as a continuity of these efforts. The OIF is a international organization that comprises 84 member states, with the aim of promoting the French language, democracy, and human rights.

The reelection of Louise Mushikiwabo as OIF Secretary General has significant implications for the organization and its member states. As she begins her second term, Mushikiwabo will face challenges in promoting unity and cooperation among member states, particularly in the face of criticism from countries like the DRC. Her leadership will be crucial in shaping the future of the OIF and its role in promoting French language and culture.

Key points

• Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda secures second term as OIF Secretary General with 26 votes.
• The election was held under the 2022 rules of the OIF, which require a simple majority for the position.
• The DRC has suspended its participation in OIF bodies, citing the legitimacy of Mushikiwabo's election.