Mushikiwabo seeks third term leading Francophonie
Rwandan Louise Mushikiwabo is running for re-election as head of the international organisation on November 16.
Rwandan national 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 Congo, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania, and Dacian Cioloș of Romania. Kinshasa has accused Kigali of aiding rebels, a claim Rwanda denies, while Kigali accuses Kinshasa of supporting FDLR rebels.
Mushikiwabo, who has led the organisation 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 candidacy, stating she has "all the skills for the job." Rwandan President Paul Kagame has actively lobbied African leaders and OIF member states to support her bid for re-election.
Congolese candidate Juliana Amato Lumumba's bid aims to leverage the DRC's demographic weight for institutional influence. Her candidacy raises questions about the Francophonie's focus on major demographic and cultural hubs. The DRC views its candidate's challenge as a stance against Rwanda, potentially complicating Lumumba's efforts to gain broader support beyond Kinshasa's allies.