Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe has expressed strong support for Louise Mushikiwabo’s bid for a third term as Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), praising what he described as the tangible impact of reforms introduced under her leadership.
Nduhungirehe made the remarks following a June 30, 2026 hearing in Paris, where four candidates presented their vision for the leadership of the Francophonie in a format held for the first time in the organisation’s history under Mushikiwabo’s tenure.
In a post on X, the minister said Mushikiwabo demonstrated a clear advantage in experience and institutional understanding compared to other contenders, while acknowledging that all candidates presented valuable proposals.
“While all candidates demonstrated commitment and vision, there was a noticeable difference in experience, expertise, and deep understanding of OIF’s functioning between Louise Mushikiwabo and the other candidates,” he said.
The session brought together representatives from 49 member states, including 23 ministers. Foreign ministers from Rwanda, Mauritania, and Romania attended in person, while the Democratic Republic of Congo participated virtually.
Each candidate was given 20 minutes to present their vision, followed by 35 minutes of questions from ministers of member states.
Mushikiwabo used her presentation to outline her readiness to continue leading the organisation, emphasizing her commitment to strengthening its global influence and relevance.
Her priorities include conflict resolution among member states, youth employment, education reform, artificial intelligence development, and the promotion of the French language.
The final decision on the OIF leadership will be made during the 20th Francophonie Summit scheduled for November 15–16, 2026, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where heads of state and government are expected to formally elect the next Secretary-General based on ministerial recommendations.
