Rwanda is confident that Louise Mushikiwabo can secure a third term as Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), as the race for the organisation’s top post heads toward a competitive election in November 2026.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe said Rwanda believes Mushikiwabo’s eight-year record at the helm of the organisation, combined with her experience and reform agenda, gives her strong prospects of retaining the position.
Mushikiwabo, who has led the OIF since 2018, is seeking another five-year mandate. She faces three challengers: Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș.
Nduhungirehe said several OIF foreign ministers encouraged Mushikiwabo to seek another term during a ministerial meeting held in Kigali, before Rwanda formally backed her candidacy.
He said her tenure had been marked by reforms to OIF governance and financial management, alongside greater attention to women and youth, digital transformation, economic cooperation and political issues.
“Mushikiwabo has contributed to reforming the OIF, improving its governance and financial management, while strengthening its focus on promoting women and youth, technology, economic cooperation and political security,” Nduhungirehe said.
The four candidates presented their programmes before OIF foreign ministers in Paris on June 30, in the organisation’s first formal public hearing of candidates for the position. Each candidate was given an opportunity to outline their vision and respond to questions from representatives of member states.
Nduhungirehe said Mushikiwabo performed strongly during the hearing, arguing that her understanding of the organisation and her plans for its future strengthen her chances of winning another mandate.
Mushikiwabo has presented her bid as an effort to build on reforms achieved during her tenure and further strengthen the OIF’s influence internationally.
She has pointed to improvements in the management of the organisation’s budget, human resources and assets, as well as efforts to position the OIF as a more influential player in addressing global challenges.
“I worked to position the OIF on the international stage. We have achieved sound and transparent management of the organisation’s budget, human resources and assets,” Mushikiwabo said.
Her re-election bid comes in a more competitive field than her previous contests. She was first elected in 2018 and was unanimously re-elected in 2022, when she was the sole candidate.
The November election will therefore test Mushikiwabo’s record and Rwanda’s diplomatic support for her candidacy against three challengers seeking to lead the 93-member Francophonie organisation.
The vote is scheduled to take place at the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 16, 2026.
