Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, has met Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye as part of Kigali’s ongoing diplomatic campaign to secure support for Louise Mushikiwabo’s bid for another term at the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
During the meeting held on March 18, Mukazayire delivered a message from President Paul Kagame, underscoring Rwanda’s commitment to strengthening cooperation within the Francophone community.
As indicated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda , the discussions focused on shared priorities within La Francophonie, particularly youth empowerment and economic development. At the same time, the talks addressed Mushikiwabo’s candidacy as she seeks to continue leading the organisation.
The engagement forms part of a wider diplomatic push, with Rwanda mobilising support across member states ahead of the next OIF Secretary-General elections.
In recent days, Mukazayire has intensified outreach across Francophone countries. On March 16, she traveled to Mauritania, where she met President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani and delivered President Paul Kagame’s message, while advancing discussions on the Francophonie agenda.
Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has also been engaged in parallel efforts. He recently visited Djibouti and held talks with President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh to rally additional backing for Mushikiwabo.
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie brings together more than 300 million French speakers worldwide, making it a significant platform for cultural, political, and economic cooperation.
Notably, Mushikiwabo was first elected Secretary-General in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 for a four-year term. Rwanda officially confirmed her candidacy for a third term earlier this year.
Looking ahead, the next election for the Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) is scheduled to take place in November during the Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
This summit brings together leaders from Francophone countries worldwide to discuss key political, cultural, and economic issues affecting the community.
Rwanda has confirmed Mushikiwabo’s candidacy for a third term, highlighting her track record and ongoing contributions to the Francophonie. With these diplomatic efforts across the region, Kigali aims to secure broad support and ensure that the organisation continues to benefit from stable and experienced leadership.
