Mushikiwabo seeks third term as Francophonie leader
Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo faces competition from DRC and other candidates in November 16 election.
Rwandan Louise Mushikiwabo is seeking a third term as the leader of La Francophonie, with elections scheduled for November 16 in Phnom Penh. She faces competition from Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Congo, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania, and Dacian Cioloș of Romania. The race is complicated by ongoing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Kinshasa accusing Kigali of aiding rebels.
Mushikiwabo, who has held the position since 2018 and was re-elected in 2022, benefits from incumbency and familiarity with the organisation's mechanisms. French President Emmanuel Macron previously backed her, stating she has "all the skills for the job." Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been actively lobbying member states to support her re-election bid.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has threatened to withdraw from the organisation if Mushikiwabo secures a third term, fielding its own candidate, Juliana Amato Lumumba. Lumumba's candidacy aims to leverage the DRC's demographic weight, but her campaign may be hindered if seen as a move to oppose Kigali.
Why it mattersThe Democratic Republic of Congo threatens to withdraw from the Francophonie if Rwanda's candidate Louise Mushikiwabo wins a third term.