Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe responded to journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala over claims that Rwanda and France were pushing different approaches to the Francophonie leadership election, insisting that the organisation’s established rules must be followed.
In an exchange on X ahead of the November 16 election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Bujakera claimed that Rwanda favoured a vote while France preferred consensus around Romania’s candidate, citing unnamed diplomatic sources.
“Like any international organisation, the Francophonie does not operate on the basis of people’s moods or wishes,” Nduhungirehe wrote in French, explaining that its decisions are governed by established legal procedures.
The minister referred to the Unified Rules of the Institutions of La Francophonie, adopted by the organisation’s Ministerial Conference in Paris in March 2022.
He specifically cited paragraph eight of Annex One, which explains how the Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) must be elected.
Under the provision, heads of state and government elect the Secretary-General during a closed session, initially seeking consensus among member countries.
If consensus cannot be reached, the election proceeds to a vote, with the successful candidate required to secure a simple majority of votes cast by members present and voting.
Nduhungirehe maintained that these regulations, rather than the preferences of individual governments, should determine how the leadership election is conducted.
He concluded his response by insisting that the existing regulation, and no other procedure, must apply.
Bujakera had suggested that France was seeking to avoid a vote and secure agreement around Dacian Cioloș, a former Romanian prime minister contesting the position.
However, his post attributed the information to unnamed diplomatic sources. Nduhungirehe’s response focused on the election rules and did not establish whether France had adopted the position described.
The disagreement over the procedure comes as Louise Mushikiwabo, a former Rwandan foreign affairs minister, seeks another four-year term as Secretary-General.
Mushikiwabo has led the organisation since January 2019, having first been elected in 2018 and subsequently re-elected in 2022.
She faces three challengers: Juliana Amato Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania and Cioloș of Romania.
The OIF comprises 90 states and governments, including 53 full members, five associate members and 32 observers. Only the full members participate in electing the Secretary-General.
The upcoming election will be the first to apply the revised selection procedure in full. The four candidates presented their programmes before foreign ministers in Paris on June 30, giving member governments an opportunity to examine their priorities before making a decision.
The election is scheduled for November 16 during the 20th Francophonie Summit, taking place in Cambodia on November 15 and 16.
President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame arrived in Phnom Penh on Thursday, November 12, ahead of the summit and the President’s bilateral engagements with Cambodian leaders.
The successful candidate will lead the organisation from 2027 to 2030, with member countries expected to seek consensus before resorting to a vote if no agreement is reached.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10