The International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) is set to elect its next Secretary-General on 15 and 16 November 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for a four-year term.
Recent reports indicate that France, under President Macron, is quietly backing former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Julien Ciolos to replace Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo at the helm of the OIF.
While Paris publicly smiles at the candidacy of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Juliana Amato Lumumba, a former culture minister, it is simultaneously working behind the scenes to promote Ciolos within France’s traditional African sphere of influence and beyond.
Some observers suggest France, caught between supporting Mushikiwabo and Lumumba, is choosing a third candidate to resolve its dilemma.
How can France equate the DRC’s bid with that of Rwanda, which has already served two terms and whose commitment to the French language has been lukewarm at best?
Objectively, the DRC cannot be placed on the same footing as Rwanda, a nation that has questioned the role of French and already occupied the OIF top post for two mandates.
Moreover, with nearly 100 million French speakers, numerous Francophone universities and media outlets, the DRC stands as the vibrant heart of the Francophone world.
If France fails to recognise these assets and instead undermines the DRC to prevent it from leading this cultural, political and civilisational space, then Kinshasa must draw all necessary conclusions and respond in kind.
Should Juliana Lumumba lose the election due to French duplicity, the DRC must take strong measures against France.
As the world’s leading Francophone country, the DRC deserves fair treatment from France. With 90 member states, the OIF leadership is not a ceremonial post; its holder significantly influences diplomatic balances among Francophone nations in Africa, Europe and the Americas. A seasoned, unifying and motivated figure is needed for this strategic role, and Juliana Amato Lumumba fits the bill.
