Francophone summit opens in Cambodia, overshadowed by tensions in Africa

At the Francophonie summit in Phnom Penh, behind the traditional family photo is a fierce race to head the OIF, sparking tensions between two members and neighbours, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. President Emmanuel Macron attending the summit appealed to member nations for deeper dialogue and cooperation. Our Francophone family has expanded over the decades and continues to do so. This openness is a tremendous asset. It enriches the Francophonie, strengthens it and extends its global reach. But it also makes frank, healthy and rigorous dialogue more essential than ever. All candidates are officially vying for the 2027-2030 term. Juliana Amato Lumumba for the DRC, Kumba Ba for Mauritania, former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Siolos and incumbent Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda. As Rwanda seeks a third term, the DRC is determined to block Mushikiwabo's re-election, accusing its neighbour of backing the M23 armed group in eastern Congo. Kinshasa has threatened to walk out of the OIF if the Rwandan candidate secures a third term, while indicating on Saturday that it would drop its own bid if Kigali agreed to do the same. In response, President Emmanuel Macron urged Rwanda to step aside in favour of the former Romanian Prime Minister, framing him as the candidate of consensus. Kigali flatly rejected the plea. The Rwandan Foreign Minister blasted Paris' pressure, declaring that his country takes no orders from any foreign state, while Louise Moushikiwabo vowed to stay in the race to the very end. This high-stakes showdown has reignited accusations of French overreach within the OIF, where Paris remains a top financial contributor alongside Canada. The organisation is still reeling from the departures of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger last year, meaning a walkout by the DRC would deal yet another devastating blow.