Kagame to attend Francophonie summit for top job election
Rwanda's candidate Louise Mushikiwabo seeks a third term as OIF Secretary-General against DRC's Juliana Lumumba.
President Paul Kagame is expected to attend the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 15 and 16. The meeting will see Rwanda compete for the top office of the International Organisation of La Francophonie for the 2027 to 2030 term. Rwanda's current leader, Louise Mushikiwabo, who has held the position since 2019, is seeking re-election.
Mushikiwabo faces competition from Juliana Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania’s Coumba Ba, and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos. The DRC is campaigning on its large French-speaking population, while Rwanda highlights Mushikiwabo's record on institutional reform and youth development. Kagame's presence aims to bolster Rwanda's diplomatic efforts during negotiations among the OIF's 53 full member states.
The summit, themed “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability,” will also discuss international cooperation, education, culture, digital innovation, governance, and sustainable development. This is Cambodia's first time hosting the summit, and it is only the second to be held in Asia. FrancoTech 2026, a related event, is expected to draw over 5,000 participants and more than 110 exhibition booths.
Why it mattersPresident Kagame's attendance at the summit is to support Rwanda's bid for the leadership of the Francophonie organisation.