For those who don't understand French
DR Congo is out and Rwanda is IN.
Press Release
The DRC calls for rallying around a common candidacy for the future of the Francophonie
Phnom Penh, 14 November 2026 On the occasion of the 48th session of the Ministerial Conference of the Francophonie, the Democratic Republic of Congo announced the withdrawal of the candidacy of Madame Juliana Amato Lumumba for the post of Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, in the interest of favouring the emergence of a consensus around a unifying candidacy.
The Government of the Republic wishes to commend the commitment of Madame Juliana Amato Lumumba as well as the quality of her candidacy, which carried a strong ambition for the renewal of the OIF. Her withdrawal in no way calls into question her profile, her skills or her contribution to this process.
Faced with tensions that have arisen during the current selection process, the DRC has chosen to act in a spirit of responsibility and appeasement. As the world's largest French-speaking demographic area, it remains deeply attached to a Francophonie of solidarity, faithful to its Charter, its values and the aspirations of the populations it serves. This decision reflects its desire to actively contribute to overcoming divergences and to seeking a consensual solution, in the higher interest of the Organisation.
The DRC recalls that the appointment of the Secretary General of the OIF has traditionally rested on the search for consensus among member States and governments. Preserving the cohesion of the Organisation today requires prioritising a personality capable of uniting, of responding to the challenges facing the OIF and of strengthening its capacity for action.
Following consultations with Romania, the withdrawal of the Congolese candidacy paves the way for a joint approach in favour of Mr Dacian Cioloș, candidate presented by Romania and now jointly supported by the two countries. This initiative is part of a dynamic of bringing positions closer together and aims to create the conditions for a consensus as broad as possible among member States and governments.
The Democratic Republic of Congo stresses, however, that this gesture of openness cannot be unilateral. It rests on the legitimate expectation that the other candidates and the States supporting them will show the same spirit of responsibility, flexibility and openness to compromise, in order to allow the emergence of a truly consensual candidacy. The gesture made by the DRC thus calls for an indispensable reciprocity for the success of this collective approach.
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