The Rwandan government has declined a request from French President Emmanuel Macron to withdraw its candidate, Louise Mushikiwabo, from the upcoming election for Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). According to Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, the request was rejected. The election is set to take place on November 16, 2026, among the 53 member states and governments of the OIF.
Louise Mushikiwabo, a close ally of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, is currently the Secretary General of the OIF, a position she has held since 2018. She is running for re-election against three other candidates, including Juliana Lumumba from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Lumumba is a former minister of culture and secretary general of the Union of African Chambers of Commerce. As the daughter of Patrice Lumumba, a key figure in the Congolese independence movement, her candidacy carries significant historical weight.
The DRC, the second-largest French-speaking country in the world with 57.3 million speakers, has threatened to leave the OIF if Mushikiwabo is re-elected. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group, a claim that has contributed to the tensions between the two nations. Critics of Mushikiwabo argue that she has turned the OIF into an instrument of Rwandan influence, often referring to it as a "second Rwandan embassy in Paris."
In addition to Juliana Lumumba, the other candidates vying for the position are Coumba Ba from Mauritania and Dacian Ciolos from Romania. Coumba Ba has held several ministerial positions in her country, while Dacian Ciolos served as Prime Minister of Romania from 2015 to 2017 and as European Commissioner for Agriculture from 2010 to 2014. The election outcome will determine the leadership of the OIF for the next four years.
The OIF is an international organization that comprises 53 member states and governments where French is an official language. The organization's leadership has significant implications for the promotion of the French language and culture worldwide. As the election approaches, tensions between member states, particularly between Rwanda and the DRC, continue to rise.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed the rejection of Macron's request to withdraw Mushikiwabo's candidacy. This development underscores the complexities and challenges surrounding the election process. The decision to reject Macron's request reflects Rwanda's determination to see its candidate succeed in the election.
The election for the Secretary General of the OIF is set to take place on November 16, 2026. The outcome will have significant implications for the future of the organization and its role in promoting French language and culture globally. As member states prepare to cast their votes, the international community is closely watching the developments in this high-stakes election.
Key points
- Rwanda has rejected a request from French President Emmanuel Macron to withdraw its candidate, Louise Mushikiwabo, from the race for Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).
