The competition for the position of Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie has reached its most sensitive stage. The 20th summit of the organization is being held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with the attention of many focused on the last-minute consultations preceding the selection process. The political and diplomatic balances are complex, making the outcome of the race open to multiple possibilities. Mauritanian candidate Dr. Kamba Ba is in the running.
Dr. Kamba Ba's campaign has received direct presidential backing from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. The support does not only include the announcement of her candidacy but also the establishment of a national mechanism to coordinate the campaign. Several ministers and officials have been sent to many Francophone countries and others, carrying personal messages from the President to his counterparts, presenting her candidacy and requesting their support.
Prior to her candidacy, Dr. Kamba Ba was appointed as a roving ambassador to the Francophonie organization over a year ago. This indicates that Mauritania's ambition was planned and programmed, and no step was taken randomly. President El Ghazouani personally followed up on this process, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, and diplomatic missions engaged in a wide mobilization, in parallel with the candidate's movements and direct contacts with political leaders in the Francophone space.
This move gains additional importance when placed in the context of recent successes achieved by Mauritanian diplomacy. These include the election of Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in August 2026 by consensus of member states and the election of Sidi Ould Tah as President of the African Development Bank Group in May 2025. These gains indicate Mauritania's ability to engage in international competitions and rally support for its candidates.
President El Ghazouani's presence in Phnom Penh is significant, as he chose to be at the heart of the event alongside Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzouk and candidate Kamba Ba. Several leaders of countries directly concerned with the competition are also in attendance, notably Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The President's presence is crucial given the complexities of the political map of the candidates.
The competition has become complicated due to the withdrawal of the Congolese candidate, Juliana Lomomba, who expressed support for the Romanian candidate, Dakian Cholosh. This development has revealed a clear division in the African position, making it difficult to produce a single candidate that enjoys continental consensus. The competition is no longer limited to evaluating the efficiency of the candidates and their programs but has become intertwined with influence, alliances, and differences between capitals.
Dr. Kamba Ba stands out as a candidate who can benefit from the search for a consensual solution, particularly if an agreement on the continuation of current Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo is not reached. The outcome of the election remains open, with three main possibilities: Mushikiwabo's continuation if Rwanda maintains its support network, Cholosh's rise if he can expand his support, or Kamba Ba emerging as a third option with broader acceptance.
Key points
- The Mauritanian candidate, Dr. Kamba Ba, has a strong chance of winning the position due to her diplomatic background and support from President El Ghazouani.
