The presentations, taking place in Paris on Tuesday, officially launch the final phase of the race before heads of state and government elect the next Secretary-General at the Francophonie Summit scheduled for Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2026.
Unlike previous elections, where the position was often decided through broad political consensus before voting took place, this year’s process reflects major electoral reforms introduced during the tenure of Louise Mushikiwabo. Under the new rules, each voting member has one equal vote regardless of its size or influence, replacing the previous practice of seeking unanimous backing for a single candidate.
The reforms were designed to address criticisms that had surrounded previous leadership selections.
When former Secretary-General Michaëlle Jean was elected, the process relied heavily on political consensus among member states. African countries failed to unite behind Mauritian candidate Jean-Claude de l’Estrac, allowing Michaëlle Jean—backed by France and Canada—to secure the position.
Similar arguments later surfaced when Mushikiwabo was elected in 2018, with some observers attributing her victory partly to improving diplomatic relations between Rwanda and France.
Under the revised electoral system, member states are no longer required to agree on a consensus candidate before voting. Instead, every eligible country casts one vote in a competitive election. Although the new rules technically applied during Mushikiwabo’s bid for a second term, they had little practical impact because she was the sole candidate.
This year’s race features four contenders:
- Louise Mushikiwabo (Rwanda), the incumbent Secretary-General;
- Juliana Amato Lumumba (Democratic Republic of the Congo);
- Coumba Ba (Mauritania); and
- Dacian Cioloș (Romania).
Each candidate is allocated 45 minutes before the foreign ministers: five minutes for a personal introduction, 20 minutes to present their vision for the organization, and another 20 minutes to answer questions from member states.
After the presentations, ministers will meet privately to discuss the candidates before preparing a report that will guide heads of state and government ahead of the final vote in Cambodia.
Although four candidates are in the race, much of the attention remains focused on Mushikiwabo, who has led the OIF since 2018. She is widely regarded as the frontrunner thanks to her experience, leadership record, and support from Rwanda and several key partners.
Her candidacy was formally endorsed by Rwanda after numerous member states urged her to seek a third term during the OIF Ministerial Conference held in Kigali in November 2025. At the time, Mushikiwabo said she had taken note of the requests but stressed that Rwanda would ultimately decide whether she would stand again. Support reportedly grew from just two countries before the meeting to more than fifteen by its conclusion.
Supporters argue that Mushikiwabo has strengthened governance within the OIF by improving financial management, reinforcing institutional discipline, and steering the organization away from internal disputes.
Her main challenger, Juliana Amato Lumumba, has built her campaign around the legacy of her father, Patrice Lumumba, and the fact that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to the world’s largest French-speaking population.
Kinshasa has invested significant diplomatic effort in her campaign, though many observers believe her candidacy also reflects broader political tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, with some viewing it as an attempt to challenge Mushikiwabo’s continued leadership.
France, traditionally one of the most influential members of the Francophonie, has so far refrained from publicly backing any candidate. Analysts say Paris is seeking to preserve its neutrality until the election.
Some observers also believe Canada, whose relationship with Mushikiwabo was at times strained during the government of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, may have softened its position following the arrival of Mark Carney as Prime Minister.
Mauritania’s Coumba Ba is also in contention but is not widely considered among the favorites.
Former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș brings significant European experience to the race. However, his candidacy faces skepticism from some African member states, which argue that the leadership of the OIF should continue reflecting Africa’s central place within the French-speaking world.
This election marks a turning point for the OIF. For the first time, the organization is moving away from consensus-based leadership selection toward a competitive secret ballot among its voting members, making the 2026 contest one of the most consequential in its history.
For Mushikiwabo, the election is an opportunity to secure a third term, following in the footsteps of former Secretary-General Abdou Diouf. For Lumumba, it represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s ambition to lead an organization in which it sees itself as a natural heavyweight because of its large French-speaking population.
In recent weeks, Rwandan officials have undertaken diplomatic missions across member states to rally support for Mushikiwabo’s candidacy while encouraging heads of state and government to attend the summit in Cambodia, where the final vote will take place.
The OIF comprises 90 member states and governments, of which 56 hold voting rights, with African countries representing the largest voting bloc.
Courtesy of IGIHE
