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The Democratic Republic of Congo has offered to withdraw its candidate for the leadership of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) if Rwanda also pulls out its nominee in favour of a consensus candidate, as tensions between the two countries spill into the organisation’s leadership contest.
The dispute centres on the re-election bid of Rwanda’s incumbent OIF Secretary-General, Louise Mushikiwabo, who is seeking another term against three challengers, including DR Congo’s Juliana Lumumba, daughter of Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba.
DR Congo‘s Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, announced her country’s position on Saturday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where the 53-member organisation is due to begin its summit on Sunday.
“We have called on all member states to work towards a consensus and, in that spirit, we would be prepared to withdraw our candidate’s nomination in order to facilitate the emergence of a consensus,” Wagner said.
The offer followed a reported request by French President Emmanuel Macron for Rwanda to withdraw Mushikiwabo’s candidacy in favour of a compromise candidate.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Kigali had rejected the request, according to a report by Jeune Afrique magazine.
Macron arrived in Phnom Penh on Saturday ahead of the summit, where the secretary-general’s position is expected to be a major issue of discussion. The election is scheduled for Monday.
DR Congo, the world’s second-largest French-speaking country, has reportedly threatened to leave the organisation if Mushikiwabo secures another term.
The leadership dispute comes amid strained relations between Kinshasa and Kigali over the conflict in eastern DR Congo. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group operating in its territory, an allegation Rwanda denies.
The OIF brings together 53 member states and governments that share the French language or have ties to the French-speaking world.
