Togolese economist Kako Nubukpo endorsed Louise Mushikiwabo’s bid for a third term as Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), arguing that her management record makes her the strongest choice ahead of the November 16 election.
Writing in an opinion column published on November 2, Nubukpo drew on his experience leading the OIF’s economic and digital work under Mushikiwabo’s predecessor, Michaëlle Jean.
He said the organisation had struggled then to connect its broad ambitions with work in member countries.
In his assessment, Mushikiwabo brought a clearer direction and a stronger focus on results after taking office in 2019.
Nubukpo placed particular weight on her handling of the OIF’s internal operations. He defended the restructuring undertaken during her tenure, including the dismissal of employees whose roles he said no longer fitted the organisation’s priorities.
He acknowledged that those decisions had drawn criticism from former staff, but argued that difficult changes were necessary.
The OIF says reforms during Mushikiwabo’s tenure have included stronger internal auditing, new financial and human resources management tools, and changes to how it plans and assesses projects.
Those are documented changes; Nubukpo’s judgment that they make her the best candidate remains his opinion.
He also argued that Mushikiwabo has combined a Pan-African outlook with a wider international vision for French speaking countries.
He praised her interest in economic cooperation and her ability to work across regions of the Francophonie.
Nubukpo addressed two criticisms he said had followed her leadership: objections linked to her Rwandan nationality and concerns that the OIF has been too quiet about democratic problems in member countries.
He rejected criticism based on her origins. On democracy, he defended the organisation’s preference for consultations and discreet diplomacy, arguing that public statements are not its only means of action.
That defence does not settle the question of how effectively the OIF responds to political crises.
Its own stated priorities include conflict prevention, democracy and human rights, making its record in those areas relevant to the leadership contest.
Nubukpo cited Mushikiwabo’s engagement with countries facing hardship, including Lebanon, as evidence of the approach he supports.
Her record also includes programmes beyond diplomacy. The OIF says it has strengthened internal management and concentrated its work on projects in education, women’s economic participation and digital skills.
In June, it announced a partnership with the African Development Bank to expand digital training, employability and entrepreneurship support for young people and women in five African countries.
The organisation said its existing D-CLIC programme had already trained nearly 19,000 young people across the Francophone world.
Mushikiwabo faces three other candidates: Juliana Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania and Dacian Cioloș of Romania.
All four presented their plans to member states’ foreign ministers at formal hearings in Paris on June 30th, the first such hearings in the OIF’s leadership selection process.
The decision rests with heads of state and government from the OIF’s 53 full member countries.
They are scheduled to choose the Secretary-General for the 2027-2030 term during the Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 16.
Nubukpo’s endorsement adds a prominent public argument for Mushikiwabo’s record, but the choice remains with those leaders.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10