Rwanda has formally endorsed Louise Mushikiwabo for a third term as Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), positioning her candidacy ahead of the organisation’s next summit scheduled for November in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The endorsement was confirmed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, who said the decision reflects growing support for Mushikiwabo among OIF member states, particularly following consultations held during the organisation’s ministerial conference in Kigali late last year.
According to Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s move follows discussions with Mushikiwabo herself and is grounded in the government’s view of her strong leadership record since assuming office in 2019. He said her tenure has been marked by significant institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the OIF’s political relevance, improving governance structures, and enhancing the organisation’s operational efficiency.
Rwanda, he added, is confident that these achievements resonate with a broad cross-section of Francophonie members across Africa, Europe, and other regions where the bloc maintains influence.
If confirmed at the November summit, Mushikiwabo would become only the second Secretary-General in the OIF’s history to serve three terms, following former Senegalese president Abdou Diouf.
Mushikiwabo first signalled openness to a possible third term during the Francophonie Summit in Kigali last year, noting that several member states had encouraged her to stand again. She said she would consult Rwanda’s leadership before taking a final decision, describing the requests from member countries as both humbling and encouraging.
A seasoned diplomat, Mushikiwabo was re-elected for her second four-year term in November 2022. OIF mandates run for four years and may be renewed.
The OIF brings together governments and states linked by the use of the French language and shared cultural values, with a strong presence across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia and the Pacific.
Mushikiwabo is a seasoned Rwandan diplomat with decades of experience in international affairs. Born in Kigali in 1961, she pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Master’s degree in languages and interpretation from the University of Delaware. She began her professional career as an interpreter and communications specialist, including work with the United States Department of State, before joining Rwanda’s public service.
She served as Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 2009 to 2018, during which she played a central role in shaping the country’s post-genocide foreign policy and in expanding its diplomatic engagement across Africa, Europe, North America, and multilateral institutions.
In 2019, Mushikiwabo became the first woman and the first East African to lead the Paris-based Francophonie organisation, marking a notable shift for the body, which brings together states and governments linked by the French language and shared cultural values. Her leadership has focused on repositioning the OIF as a more results-oriented institution, with greater attention to governance, youth employment, digital transformation, and conflict prevention, particularly in Africa.
Mushikiwabo was re-elected for a second four-year term in November 2022. During the Francophonie Summit held in Kigali last year, she acknowledged that several member states had encouraged her to consider seeking another mandate, saying she would first consult Rwanda’s leadership before making a decision.
Each OIF mandate lasts four years and may be renewed. The organisation maintains a strong presence across Africa, Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia and the Pacific, making the outcome of the November summit closely watched beyond the Francophone world.
