The International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) is set to elect its next secretary-general on 15 and 16 November 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for a four-year term.
At this critical juncture, reports indicate that France under President Macron is quietly manoeuvring to install former Romanian prime minister Dacian Julien Ciolos as the replacement for Rwandan incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo.
While Paris displays diplomatic warmth toward the candidacy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Juliana Amato Lumumba, a former minister of Culture and Arts, it is simultaneously pulling strings behind the scenes to promote Ciolos among France’s traditional African allies and beyond.
Some observers suggest that France, caught between backing the Rwandan candidate who has served two terms and supporting the Congolese contender, has opted for a third person to break the deadlock.
How can France equate the DRC’s candidacy with that of Rwanda—a country that has already held two mandates and whose commitment to the French language is questionable? Rwanda has distanced itself ideologically from French, whereas the DRC, with its 100 million French speakers, numerous francophone universities and media outlets, stands as the vibrant heart of La Francophonie.
If France fails to recognise these assets and instead undermines the DRC to the point of blocking its path to lead this cultural, political and civilisational space, then Kinshasa must draw all necessary conclusions and respond in kind.
Should Juliana Lumumba not be elected secretary-general due to French duplicity, the DRC must take firm measures against France. As the world’s largest francophone country, the DRC legitimately expects fair treatment from Paris.
With 90 member states, the OIF leadership is far from ceremonial. Whoever holds the post subtly influences the diplomatic balance among francophone nations in Africa, Europe and the Americas. That is why the position requires an experienced, unifying and highly motivated personality—qualities that Juliana Amato Lumumba embodies.
