The Government of Rwanda has renominated Louise Mushikiwabo as its candidate for a third term as Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), signaling continued regional and international support for her leadership.
The announcement was confirmed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, in an exclusive interview with Jeune Afrique. The interview addressed a range of regional and international issues, including security challenges in the Great Lakes region.
Ambassador Nduhungirehe said the decision reflects not only Rwanda’s confidence in Mushikiwabo’s leadership, but also growing support from other OIF member states.
“Rwanda has decided to nominate Louise Mushikiwabo for the next OIF term,” he said, adding that “several member countries have expressed their wish to see her continue for a third mandate.”
If re-elected, Mushikiwabo would become only the second Secretary-General in OIF history to serve three terms, following former Senegalese President Abdou Diouf.
The election is expected to take place at the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, within the next ten months.
Unlike the 2022 election, when Mushikiwabo ran unopposed and secured a second term, the upcoming race is expected to be contested. Potential challengers reportedly include former OIF Secretary-General Michaëlle Jean of Canada, whom Mushikiwabo succeeded in 2018, and Augustin Nze Nfumu of Equatorial Guinea.
Mushikiwabo’s current term will conclude later this year, prompting the formal opening of the candidacy process, which is set to run until the end of April.
First elected on 12 October 2018 at the Francophonie Summit in Yerevan, Armenia, Mushikiwabo previously served as Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from 2009 to 2018 and as government spokesperson.
