Francophonie candidates heard in first-ever ministerial session in Paris

Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe has praised reforms introduced under the leadership of International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo, following a historic candidate hearing in Paris.

The session, held on Tuesday, 30 June, brought together four candidates for the post of OIF Secretary-General, who were interviewed by the organisation’s 47th Extraordinary Ministerial Conference (CMF).

It was the first time in the organisation’s history that candidates for the top job were formally heard in such a setting.

In a post on X, Nduhungirehe said each candidate was given 20 minutes to present their experience and vision, followed by 35 minutes of questions from ministers. He said the format was made possible by governance reforms introduced under Mushikiwabo’s tenure.

He said 49 member states, including 23 ministers, were represented at the meeting. Foreign ministers from Mauritania, Romania, and Rwanda attended in person, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo participated via videoconference.

According to Nduhungirehe, the presentations took place in a “constructive spirit” with no confrontation between candidates or countries. He added that participants later met informally at a reception hosted by the Cambodian presidency of the CMF.

He also noted differences in the candidates’ levels of experience.

“A striking contrast nevertheless emerged between, on the one hand, the experience, competence, and command of files of Louise Mushikiwabo, and, on the other hand, those of her three competitors. This, however, takes nothing away from the sincere ambition that all the candidates were able to express for our common organization,” he added.

The final decision on the next Secretary-General will be taken at the 20th Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 15–16 November 2026, where heads of state and government will vote on the recommendation of ministers.