Category: Politics

Foreign ministers from OIF member states are gathered in Paris today for an unprecedented exercise in which each candidate will present their vision for the organisation’s future ahead of the election scheduled to take place during the Summit of Heads of State and Government in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2026.

For the first time, candidates seeking to lead the Francophonie will address representatives of member states in a formal presentation process, reflecting sweeping electoral reforms that have transformed how the organisation selects its Secretary-General.

The race features four candidates: incumbent Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda, Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Coumba Ba of Mauritania, and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș.

Each candidate is allocated 45 minutes before the ministers—five minutes for a personal introduction, 20 minutes to present their programme, and another 20 minutes to answer questions from delegates representing member states.

Following the presentations, the ministers are expected to meet behind closed doors to assess the candidates and prepare recommendations for heads of state and government, who will make the final decision at the November summit.

End of the consensus era

Unlike previous OIF leadership contests, the 2026 election is being conducted under new rules that replace the organisation’s long-standing consensus-based system with a one-country, one-vote process.

Previously, member states sought to agree on a single candidate before an election, leaving little room for genuine competition. The revised electoral framework eliminates that requirement, giving each voting member an equal say regardless of its political influence.

The reforms were introduced during Mushikiwabo’s tenure as Secretary-General to address longstanding concerns about the organisation’s electoral process and strengthen transparency in leadership selection.

The new system was technically in place during Mushikiwabo’s re-election for a second term, but it was never put to the test because she ran unopposed.

This year’s contest therefore marks the first time member states will choose among multiple candidates through a competitive vote, making it one of the most significant institutional changes in the organisation’s history.

The OIF comprises 90 member states and governments, with 56 holding voting rights. African countries account for the majority of the electorate.

Mushikiwabo seeks third term

Much of the attention remains focused on Mushikiwabo, who has led the OIF since 2018 and is seeking a third mandate.

Her candidacy was endorsed by Rwanda after numerous member states encouraged her to seek another term during the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie held in Kigali in November 2025.

Initially, only two countries had proposed that she run again. By the end of the meeting, however, more than 15 member states had expressed support for her candidacy.

Supporters argue that Mushikiwabo has strengthened institutional governance within the OIF, improved financial management and maintained stability throughout her two terms in office.

Her experience and backing from Rwanda, together with support from several influential partners, have made her widely viewed as one of the leading contenders.

Politics shapes the race

While four candidates are competing, the contest has also taken on a geopolitical dimension following the DRC’s decision to field Juliana Amato Lumumba.

Lumumba has built her campaign around the legacy of her father, Patrice Lumumba, and the DRC’s status as the world’s largest French-speaking country by population.

Observers say Kinshasa has invested significant political capital in her candidacy, with some viewing it as an extension of the broader diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and the DRC.

France, traditionally one of the OIF’s most influential members, has so far refrained from publicly backing any candidate ahead of the election, while analysts suggest Canada’s position may have evolved following the change in government from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Mauritania’s Coumba Ba is also seeking the position, although she is not widely regarded as a frontrunner.

Meanwhile, Dacian Cioloș brings extensive European political experience to the race, but his candidacy faces scepticism from some African member states, which argue that the organisation’s leadership should continue reflecting the priorities of the continent that is home to the largest French-speaking population.

For Mushikiwabo, the election is an opportunity to secure a third term, following the precedent of former Secretary-General Abdou Diouf.

In the weeks leading up to today’s presentation, Rwandan officials have travelled extensively across OIF member states to rally support for Mushikiwabo’s candidacy while encouraging leaders to attend the November summit in Cambodia, where the organisation’s next Secretary-General will be elected.

The case, filed on June 26, 2026, accuses Rwanda of carrying out “genocidal campaign in eastern Congo since 1996,” marking the third ICJ filing by the DRC against Rwanda.

Speaking to France 24, Nduhungirehe rejected the allegations and said the case reflects political deflection rather than legal substance.

“It is a political manoeuvre by the DRC, which is collaborating with the genocidal movement, the FDLR,” he said, adding that the Congolese government has failed to fulfil its commitments to neutralise the armed group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Nduhungirehe also linked Congolese authorities to violence against civilians in eastern DRC, including the Banyamulenge community in South Kivu, and accused officials linked to President Félix Tshisekedi of fueling ethnic hatred.

Citing former army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge, he also pointed to inflammatory rhetoric and collaboration between state actors, militias such as Wazalendo, and mercenary forces.

Maj Gen Ekenge appeared on Congolese national television on December 27, 2025, during a programme discussing the security situation in eastern DRC, particularly in areas affected by the conflict in South Kivu Province. During the broadcast, he made an ethnic slur targeting Congolese Tutsis, including comments discouraging intermarriage with Tutsi women.

The statements triggered widespread criticism and diplomatic pressure, prompting Congolese authorities to suspend Maj Gen Ekenge from his duties.

“How can you violate, on a daily basis, basic human rights and pretend to file a complaint against the other party?” Nduhungirehe said.

Nduhungirehe added that Rwanda would not engage on the substance of the case at this stage, noting that jurisdictional issues would be left to competent authorities.

During the interview, Nduhungirehe also described U.S. sanctions against Rwandan entities as biased, unfair and counterproductive.

According to the minister, the sanctions risk undermining the mediation process under the Washington Accords signed in December last year.

“Those sanctions are unfair, one-sided and counter-productive,” he stated, warning that pressure on one party could embolden the other and worsen insecurity.

The warning comes amid growing tensions between the government and opposition leaders, including Martin Fayulu, Delly Sesanga and Jean-Marc Kabund, over plans to amend the country’s Constitution.

The three politicians are part of a coalition known as C64, which was established to oppose the proposed constitutional changes. On June 12, 2026, the coalition organized a demonstration outside the National Assembly in Kinshasa, where protesters were reportedly dispersed by police.

The group is now preparing another major protest scheduled for July 8 outside the Presidential Palace. During the demonstration, opposition supporters are expected to call for Tshisekedi’s resignation, arguing that efforts to amend the Constitution while the country remains at war amount to a betrayal of national interests.

Speaking to Télé 50, Shabani condemned the opposition’s actions, accusing its leaders of encouraging Congolese citizens to remove the Commander-in-Chief at a time when government forces are engaged in fighting in the eastern part of the country.

“You meet in Kinshasa and then announce to the Congolese people that you have set a date to remove the leader of the armed forces while the country is engaged in war. These are acts of high treason,” Shabani said.

The minister further argued that Tshisekedi’s removal from office would primarily benefit the country’s adversaries and would not serve the interests of the Congolese people.

Shabani also suggested that the planned July 8 protest could expose its organizers to legal action. He noted that under previous administrations, it would have been unthinkable for politicians to publicly call for the resignation of a sitting president.

At the heart of the dispute is a proposed constitutional reform that critics say could allow Tshisekedi to remain in power beyond the current two-term limit.

Opposition leaders maintain that the existing Constitution bars him from serving beyond 2028.

During a press conference in early May 2026, Tshisekedi stated that if the conflict in eastern DRC remains unresolved by 2028, elections would not take place and he would continue leading the country.

The president also indicated that he would be willing to remain in office beyond 2028 if Congolese citizens requested him to do so.

The constitutional reform initiative has already advanced significantly, with both chambers of Parliament approving plans for a referendum on the proposed changes.