Rwanda has announced its decision to support its former foreign minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, for a third term as Secretary General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the global body that promotes political, cultural, and economic cooperation among French speaking countries.
The announcement was confirmed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, in an interview with Jeune Afrique. The endorsement comes ten months ahead of the next Francophonie summit, which is scheduled to take place in November in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Mushikiwabo has led the organisation since 2019, overseeing an institution that brings together 88 member states, governments, and observers from across Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific. According to Kigali, her leadership has been marked by a structured and coherent transformation of the organisation, with a focus on strengthening political credibility, improving institutional clarity, and enhancing operational effectiveness.
Rwandan officials credit her tenure with repositioning the Francophonie as a more influential multilateral platform, particularly in addressing governance, peace and security, education, and youth empowerment within the French speaking world. Kigali also noted that during her leadership, the organisation intensified its support for Francophone candidates seeking senior positions in major international institutions, including the African Union, the African Development Bank, and UNESCO.
Speaking on the sidelines of a Francophonie conference last November, Mushikiwabo revealed that several member states had already encouraged her to seek another term, signalling broad confidence in her stewardship of the organisation.
If she is re elected, Mushikiwabo would become only the second Secretary General in the history of the Francophonie to serve three terms, joining former Senegalese president Abdou Diouf, who led the institution for over a decade.
The application period for the position is set to close in April, after which member states will begin formal consultations ahead of the November summit. Rwanda’s early endorsement underscores its commitment to maintaining continuity at the helm of the Francophonie and to reinforcing Africa’s influence within global multilateral institutions.
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