Rwanda and DR Congo at odds over Francophonie leadership as summit meets in Cambodia

Leaders of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) are meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. They are due to choose the organisation's next secretary-general on Monday. The OIF has 53 full members.

The race has divided Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo, the current secretary-general, is seeking another term. DR Congo put forward Juliana Lumumba, daughter of Patrice Lumumba.

Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe indicated that Mushikiwabo would remain a candidate. According to France 24, he said Rwanda had "rejected" a request to withdraw her.

France 24 and Al Jazeera report that DR Congo has threatened to leave the OIF if Mushikiwabo is re-elected. France 24 attributes this to several sources. The reports do not identify them.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Phnom Penh on Saturday, according to The Associated Press, as cited by Al Jazeera.

What else is reported

Macron asked Rwanda to withdraw Mushikiwabo in favour of a compromise candidate, according to France 24, in a report produced with AFP. France 24 says Rwanda's rejection followed a Jeune Afrique story reporting Macron's move. Al Jazeera, citing AFP, reports that Rwanda said Macron made the request to President Paul Kagame. Both accounts trace back to AFP. The reports do not include a direct statement from the French presidency on the request.

According to Al Jazeera, Mushikiwabo has led the OIF since 2018 and is seeking a third four-year term. France 24 says she faces three other candidates, including Lumumba. Al Jazeera mentions former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, whom DR Congo backed. Citing AFP, it reports that former Mauritanian minister Coumba Ba is also running.

What is disputed

The reports differ on Lumumba's candidacy. France 24, in an AFP report published on 14 November, says DR Congo offered on Saturday to withdraw Lumumba. The offer was conditional: Rwanda would also have to withdraw its candidate in favour of a consensus third candidate. Al Jazeera, in a report published on 15 November, says DR Congo withdrew Lumumba on Saturday and backed Ciolos. The difference may reflect later developments. The reports do not clarify this.

The reports also differ on when the summit began. France 24 says it begins on Sunday. Al Jazeera describes a three-day summit running through Monday.

What each side says

• DR Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda denies this. According to Al Jazeera, the United States and UN experts say Rwanda backs the M23.
• France 24 quoted DR Congo Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner as saying: "We have called on all member states to work towards a consensus and, in that spirit, we would be prepared to withdraw our candidate's nomination in order to facilitate the emergence of a consensus."
• Rwanda's foreign minister says Mushikiwabo will stay in the race.
• Macron's office said most members agreed on the need for consensus, and that Macron would take the matter up with his African counterparts, according to Al Jazeera.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include any comment from Mushikiwabo. The outcome of Monday's selection is not yet known.

Analysis

The contest shows how a dispute between two member states can shape an institution's leadership choice. It is linked to the wider tension between Rwanda and DR Congo over the M23 conflict. Several scenarios remain open. Rwanda's candidate could keep her post. A consensus figure could emerge if both countries step aside. Members could also fail to agree. DR Congo's reported threat to leave would matter if carried out. Al Jazeera describes it as the most populous country where French is an official language. Each scenario depends on decisions not yet made. France 24 describes Monday's selection as a vote.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.