DR Congo, Rwanda battle for Francophonie chief as rebel war rages

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are locked in a diplomatic contest for the secretary‑general post of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). Congo has nominated Juliana Lumumba, a former culture minister and daughter of independence leader Patrice Lumumba, while Rwanda backs incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo, who is seeking a third term. Other candidates include Mauritania’s Coumba Ba and Romania’s former prime minister Dacian Cioloș.

The OIF represents more than 320 million French speakers in 90 member states and has a mandate covering education, culture, human‑rights and economic cooperation. The rivalry comes as fighting continues in eastern Congo, where Rwanda‑backed M23 rebels control the cities of Goma and Bukavu. Mediation attempts by the United States, Qatar and the African Union have so far failed.

Congo emphasizes its demographic weight as the world’s largest French‑speaking country, with a population of about 100 million, and has been campaigning across Africa and Canada, the OIF’s second‑largest funder. Rwanda argues for continuity, citing Mushikiwabo’s record of modernising the organisation. The new secretary‑general will be chosen at an OIF summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 15‑16 November.