Rwanda has officially announced its support for former Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo to serve a third term as Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the global body uniting 88 member states, governments, and observers of the French-speaking world. The announcement came from Rwanda’s top diplomat, Olivier Nduhungirehe, in an interview with Jeune Afrique, roughly 10 months ahead of the next OIF summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, scheduled for November 2026.
Mushikiwabo has led the organisation since 2019, overseeing reforms that strengthened its political credibility, institutional structure, and operational effectiveness. Under her leadership, the OIF has expanded programs supporting Francophone candidates for senior roles in international institutions such as the African Union, UNESCO, and the African Development Bank.
Last November, Mushikiwabo revealed that multiple countries had encouraged her to seek re-election. If successful, she would become only the second Secretary-General, after former Senegalese President Abdou Diouf, to serve three terms. The application period for the position closes in April 2026.
