International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo has criticised the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for threatening to withdraw from the organisation if she is re-elected for another term, as the leadership election approaches.
Mushikiwabo made the remarks during an interview with journalists in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where activities related to the 20th Francophonie Summit, bringing together heads of state and government of French-speaking countries, are taking place.
She said it was difficult to understand why a large country with a significant population such as the DRC would threaten to leave the organisation as a way of expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome of its leadership election.
“It would surprise me to see a powerful country with such a large population as Congo resort to this kind of pressure or expression of dissatisfaction,” she said.
The election is scheduled for November 16, 2026, during the 20th OIF Summit, which will take place in Phnom Penh from November 15 to 16.
Four candidates are contesting the position: Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo, the DRC’s Juliana Amato Lumumba, Mauritania’s Coumba Bâ and Romania’s Dacian Cioloș.
Mushikiwabo has led the OIF since January 2019, following her first election in 2018 and re-election in 2022. She is seeking a third four-year term, covering the period from 2027 to 2030.
While Mushikiwabo is seeking another term, the DRC has fielded its own candidate, Juliana Amato Lumumba, daughter of Patrice Emery Lumumba, who served as Congo’s first Prime Minister after independence.
Her other challengers are Mauritania’s Coumba Bâ and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș.
The contest has taken a different turn following remarks by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, who indicated that his country could withdraw from the OIF if Mushikiwabo secures another term.
On November 11, 2026, DRC Government Spokesperson and Minister of Communication and Media Patrick Muyaya told Radio France Internationale (RFI) that re-electing Mushikiwabo would be inconsistent with his country’s values, including cooperation among nations, respect for national sovereignty and democracy.
The dispute comes amid strained relations between Rwanda and the DRC, largely driven by insecurity in eastern Congo. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the AFC/M23 rebel movement, allegations Rwanda denies. Rwanda, in turn, accuses the DRC government of cooperating with the FDLR, an armed group that includes individuals involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
On Rwanda’s side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has endorsed Mushikiwabo’s candidacy, citing her experience and achievements during her tenure at the organisation.
The OIF brings together 90 states and governments linked by the French language. However, only 53 full member states are entitled to vote in the Secretary-General’s election.
The November 16 election will determine who leads the organisation for the 2027–2030 term, while the DRC’s potential withdrawal from the OIF could emerge as another significant consequence of the election outcome.
