Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has written to Greek President Kostas Tassoulas, requesting support for his country's candidate, former minister Kemba Ba, in her bid for the position of Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie. The letter was delivered by Mauritania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, during a meeting in Athens on Monday. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Mauritania and Greece.
According to the Mauritanian news agency, Merzoug conveyed President Ghazouani's greetings to Tassoulas and praised the existing level of cooperation between the two friendly nations. He emphasized Mauritania's commitment to working towards developing and strengthening ties that serve the mutual interests of both countries. The meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration in various fields, with a focus on promoting shared interests.
The election for the new Secretary General of La Francophonie is scheduled to take place on November 16 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during the organization's 20th summit. The summit will bring together leaders from member states and governments, who will vote in a closed session. Four candidates are vying for the position, including Kemba Ba, the former Mauritanian minister, and the current Secretary General, Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda.
The other candidates competing for the top spot are Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Republic of Congo and Dan Cristian Achiles of Romania. In a first for the organization, candidates were invited to participate in listening sessions and interviews, presenting their visions and electoral programs in preparation for the vote. This process aimed to provide a platform for candidates to showcase their qualifications and plans.
Kemba Ba, if elected, would become the first woman and the first African to hold the position of Secretary General of La Francophonie. Her candidacy has garnered support from various quarters, with Mauritania actively seeking backing from other nations. The organization's membership comprises 84 countries, with French being an official language in most of them.
La Francophonie plays a significant role in promoting French language and culture, as well as democracy, human rights, and sustainable development. The organization's Secretary General serves a four-year term, overseeing its activities and strategic direction. The election outcome will determine the future leadership and direction of the organization.
The Greek government's stance on the election remains unclear, but its support for Mauritania's candidate could potentially influence the outcome. The international community is closely watching the election, which may have implications for the organization's future engagement with its member states and global partners.
Key points
- Mauritania requests Greek support for Kemba Ba's bid as Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie.
- The election for the new Secretary General will take place on November 16 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Four candidates are competing for the position, including Kemba Ba, Louise Mushikiwabo, Juliana Amato Lumumba, and Dan Cristian Achiles.
