French President Emmanuel Macron urged members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) to preserve the group’s unity as its summit opened in Phnom Penh on Sunday, November 15. The appeal came amid a dispute between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda over the election of the organization’s next secretary-general. DW reported that the leadership contest was scheduled for Monday.
“We must ensure that we preserve what constitutes its strength—namely, its unity,” Macron said. The OIF brings together about 90 states and governments, including 53 full members.
Leadership contest fuels tensions
Rwandan secretary-general Louise Mushikiwabo, in office since 2018, is seeking a third term. DR Congo has threatened to leave the organization if she is re-elected, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group in eastern Congo. Rwanda denies the accusation.
Kinshasa withdrew its own candidate, Juliana Lumumba, on Saturday and said it would support former Romanian prime minister Dacian Ciolos in an effort to reach consensus. The move was presented as conditional on Rwanda also withdrawing Mushikiwabo, while Rwanda’s foreign minister said she would remain in the race.
Macron’s office said France had proposed that both candidates step aside. Rwanda said Macron had asked President Paul Kagame to withdraw his candidate, a request it rejected. The Associated Press reported that the vote was expected on Monday, November 16.
DR Congo’s departure would remove one of the OIF’s largest members. The organization’s figures put the country’s French-speaking population at 57.3 million, second only to France.
Reid Bentley