“For the first time in its 56-year history, the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) is publicly auditioning candidates for its leadership. A revolution whose outcome will be decided in November for the designation of the successor to Rwandan Louise Mushikiwabo, who is also a candidate.
Everything, or almost everything, will be decided in Paris, this Tuesday, June 30. In a room where, traditionally, the art of compromise is cultivated, La Francophonie is preparing to break with half a century of habits. An extraordinary Ministerial Conference (CMF) brings together the foreign ministers of the member states and governments for a unique exercise: to hear, one after the other, the four candidates in the running for the position of Secretary General of the OIF, for the 2027-2030 term.
Among them, the outgoing Secretary General, Louise Mushikiwabo, whose record will be scrutinized in light of her potential successors. Facing her are three contenders from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Juliana Amato Lumumba), Mauritania (Dr Coumba Bâ), and Romania (Dacian Ciolos).
A reform that puts an end to backdoor consultations
Until now, the appointment of the Secretary General was based on a principle that had withstood the test of time: the search for consensus through bilateral diplomatic consultations. But the extraordinary CMF of March 2022 turned the page. The unique Regulations of the instances adopted on this occasion now require an open call for applications, specific eligibility criteria, submission of applications six months before the elective summit, a mandatory presentation of a strategic vision before the CMF, and a formal election by heads of state and government.
The four candidates thus submitted their application and program before May 15, 2026 to France, the rotating presidency of the next summit of the strong space of 90 member states and governments, present on five continents and supported by 396 million speakers. The 20th Francophonie Summit will be the first full implementation of this reformed process.
45 minutes to convince
Under the chairmanship of Cambodian Prak Sokhonn, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, current President of the CMF, the work will begin at 2:00 pm, we learn. Each candidate will have 45 minutes – five for introduction, twenty for a free presentation, twenty for questions and answers – to defend their vision before the delegations. The order of appearance will follow the alphabet, it is specified.
A notable innovation for an institution long known for its discretion: the auditions will be recorded and broadcast later on the OIF’s YouTube channel. This will be followed by a closed-door ministerial deliberation that will make recommendations to the heads of state. The verdict will be announced in Phnom Penh on November 16, 2026, during the elective closed-door meeting of heads of state and government of full member countries.”
