Rwanda to nominate Louise Mushikiwabo for third term in Francophonie Secretary-General elections

Rwanda has decided to nominate Louise Mushikiwabo for a third term as Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), ahead of elections scheduled for November 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The decision was confirmed on Tuesday by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, who said the move was approved by President Paul Kagame following consultations and in recognition of Mushikiwabo’s leadership at the head of the Francophonie.

In a statement shared via X, Nduhungirehe said that Rwanda had taken note of strong political signals from within the organisation’s membership.

“Several OIF member states have expressed the wish to see Louise Mushikiwabo run again for a third term. This recognition represents a strong political signal, which Rwanda has taken note of,” he said in the communiqué.

Nduhungirehe added that, based on Mushikiwabo’s widely recognised and appreciated performance, and after consultations with her, Rwanda decided to formally submit her candidacy at the OIF Heads of State and Government Summit to be held in Phnom Penh in November 2026.

The election of the next OIF Secretary-General will take place during the Francophonie General Assembly, which brings together heads of state and government from member countries.

Mushikiwabo, a Rwandan national, became the fourth Secretary-General of the OIF in October 2018, after defeating Canada’s Michaëlle Jean, who was seeking re-election. She was later re-elected unopposed for a second term in November 2022, which began immediately.

With her current mandate ending in 2026, Rwanda’s decision now positions her to seek a third consecutive term, a rare occurrence within the organisation. If re-elected, Mushikiwabo would surpass the tenure of Abdou Diouf of Senegal, who led the Francophonie from 2003 to 2014.

Speaking to journalists on 20 November 2025, at the close of the 46th Conference of Francophonie Foreign Ministers held in Kigali, Mushikiwabo said she had been encouraged by growing support from several member states urging her to continue.

“Many member states asked me to stand again and pledged their support. I was deeply touched by the request from our member states,” she said.

She noted at the time that she would first consult Rwanda’s leadership before making a final decision, mentioning that Rwanda’s legal retirement age could be a factor, as she was born in 1961.

Mushikiwabo previously served as Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from December 2009 to October 2018, before taking up the top post at the Francophonie in January 2019.

The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie comprises 88 member states and governments and works to promote the French language, cultural diversity, peace, democracy and sustainable development across the French-speaking world.