The 20th Francophonie Summit has opened in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, amid growing diplomatic tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda over the election of a new Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
The two-day summit, which began on Sunday, has brought together heads of state, government officials and high-level delegations from more than 80 French-speaking countries and territories to discuss issues affecting the Francophone community.
However, attention has shifted to a political disagreement between Kinshasa and Kigali over the leadership of the organisation, with the two neighbouring countries backing rival candidates for the position of Secretary-General.
The organisation is expected to elect a new Secretary-General on Monday for a four-year term, with the outcome likely to test diplomatic relations among its member states.
Rwanda’s incumbent Secretary-General, Louise Mushikiwabo, is seeking a third term after leading the organisation for eight years.
Her re-election bid has faced strong opposition from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has warned that it could withdraw from the organisation if she secures another term.
Kinshasa has instead proposed Juliana Lumumba, daughter of the country’s independence hero and former Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, as its preferred candidate.
In an apparent attempt to find a compromise, the Congolese government indicated on Saturday that it could consider withdrawing Lumumba’s candidacy if Rwanda also agreed to withdraw Mushikiwabo from the race.
The disagreement reflects broader tensions between the two countries, particularly over the prolonged conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group, which has been involved in fighting against government forces in the eastern part of the country.
Kigali has consistently rejected the allegations, further deepening the diplomatic dispute between the two neighbours.
The leadership contest has also attracted the attention of France, whose involvement has become another source of controversy ahead of the election.
Rwanda earlier this week criticised what it described as Paris’s interference in the process, alleging that French President Emmanuel Macron had asked Rwandan President Paul Kagame to withdraw Mushikiwabo’s candidacy.
According to Kigali, Kagame rejected the request, maintaining Rwanda’s position in support of the incumbent Secretary-General.
France had previously supported Mushikiwabo’s candidacy in 2018, at a time when diplomatic relations between Paris and Kigali were improving.
However, the French government has publicly maintained a neutral position in the current leadership contest.
Following reports of Macron’s involvement, the French presidency issued a statement on Saturday indicating that Paris had proposed the withdrawal of both the Rwandan and Congolese candidates in the interest of preserving unity within the organisation.
The controversy has placed additional pressure on the summit, which is expected to demonstrate the ability of Francophone countries to resolve disagreements through dialogue and diplomatic engagement.
Addressing delegates during the opening ceremony, President Macron warned against internal divisions, stressing that unity remained essential to the strength and relevance of the Francophonie.
He called on member states to protect the organisation from political disagreements that could undermine its collective objectives.
“Our shared language calls on us to engage in dialogue and mediation. It strengthens our ability to bring peoples together and to find jointly agreed solutions. It gives us the words and the tools to ensure that law prevails over force,” Macron said.
His remarks highlighted the importance of diplomacy and cooperation at a time when the organisation is facing disagreements over its future leadership.
The International Organisation of La Francophonie is an international body that brings together countries and governments with French language and cultural connections.
Often compared to the Commonwealth because of its historical and institutional links among member states, the organisation has approximately 90 states and governments, including 53 full members.
Beyond promoting the French language, the OIF also focuses on cultural cooperation, education, democracy, human rights and international development.
However, its political influence and unity have faced challenges in recent years, particularly following changes in government across parts of West Africa.
Last year, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso withdrew from the organisation following military coups that brought an end to governments that had maintained close relations with France.
The withdrawals represented a significant setback for the OIF, particularly as the organisation continues to navigate changing political relationships between African countries and their former colonial power.
A possible departure by the Democratic Republic of Congo would represent an even more serious challenge.
The DRC is one of the world’s largest French-speaking countries and is considered the second-largest Francophone country after France.
According to figures cited by the organisation, the country has approximately 57.3 million French speakers, making it one of the most influential members of the Francophone community.
Its withdrawal could significantly affect the organisation’s membership strength, geographical representation and influence across Africa.
The diplomatic disagreement also raises questions about the extent to which political tensions between member states could affect the organisation’s ability to fulfil its broader objectives.
For many observers, the election is not simply about choosing a new Secretary-General but also about the future direction of an organisation seeking to maintain its relevance amid changing international relations.
The outcome could either provide an opportunity for renewed cooperation or deepen existing divisions within the Francophone community.
As delegates prepare for Monday’s vote, attention will remain on whether the rival candidates can reach an agreement or whether the leadership contest will further strain relations between the DRC and Rwanda.
The stakes are particularly high for an organisation whose strength depends on cooperation among countries with different political interests but a shared commitment to the French language and Francophone identity.
