Francophone summit in Cambodia faces leadership rift

The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) has convened in Phnom Penh for a three-day summit, as the group faces internal friction regarding the leadership of the association of French-speaking nations. The event, which runs through Monday, brings together representatives from a confederation of 90 states and governments where French is a widely utilized language. The OIF currently comprises 53 full members, five associate members, and 32 observers. As the organization gathers for the francophone summit in Cambodia, the diplomatic atmosphere is strained by a significant disagreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

The OIF faces a potential split as the DRC and Rwanda clash over the organization's leadership.

Leadership dispute at the francophone summit in Cambodia

The central point of contention involves the position of secretary-general, which will be decided by leaders on Monday for a four-year term. Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo, who has held the role since 2018, is campaigning for a third term. However, the DRC has strongly opposed her candidacy, citing Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 armed group in eastern Congo—a claim supported by United Nations experts and the United States. Kinshasa has threatened to withdraw from the OIF if Mushikiwabo is re-elected. In a move to foster a consensus, the DRC recently withdrew its own candidate, Juliana Lumumba, and pledged support for former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who chaired the previous summit in 2024, arrived on Saturday and met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Macron’s office indicated that many members favor a consensus candidate, a topic the French leader intends to discuss with African counterparts. Rwanda, meanwhile, has maintained that Mushikiwabo will remain in the race, despite reports that Kigali declined a request from Paris to withdraw her bid. The field also includes Mauritanian candidate Coumba Ba.

Beyond the leadership struggle, the summit, themed “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability,” has drawn attention from rights activists. UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews has called on delegates to advocate for the release of detained activists in Cambodia, emphasizing that individuals should not face detention for defending human rights or reporting on public concerns.

Why it matters

The potential departure of the DRC, the most populous French-speaking nation, would represent a major loss for the OIF. The organization has already seen the exit of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso following military coups, and further fragmentation could weaken its global influence.