Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has hailed Louise Mushikiwabo’s eight-year record at the helm of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

This comes as Rwanda stepped up efforts to secure Mushikiwabo’s third term ahead of OIF election in November.

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Nsengiyumva made the remarks on Monday, September 21, in New York, where he hosted a reception in honour of Mushikiwabo. The event, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assemby, was attended foreign ministers, permanent representatives and other officials from Francophonie member states.

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Nsengiyumva pointed to reforms carried out during Mushikiwabo’s tenure, particularly in the institutional, administrative and financial management of the organisation.

"Eight years later, her track record speaks for itself. Under her leadership, the OIF has modernized and undertaken significant institutional, administrative, and financial reforms,” he said.

"Her work has focused increasingly on areas where our organization can deliver real added value to its members: youth, women’s empowerment, education, the digital sector, the economy, and culture,” Nsengiyumva said.

Beyond these areas, the Prime Minister said Mushikiwabo had worked to strengthen the role of La Francophonie as a political platform for dialogue and consultation at a time of growing international divisions.

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He linked that ambition to the theme of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, saying the same principle should guide La Francophonie.

"Together, we must strive for an organization that is useful to all its members, attentive to their priorities, and capable of adapting to the realities of our time,” he said.

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Nsengiyumva said Rwanda’s decision to seek a third term for Mushikiwabo was taken with the full support of President Paul Kagame.

"We are convinced that Louise Mushikiwabo possesses the experience, the knowledge of the Organization, and the energy needed to continue evolving La Francophonie for the benefit of all its members,” he said.

Nsangiyumva rallied member states to support her candidacy ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit in November in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where the next Secretary General will be elected.

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Mushikiwabo is facing three other candidates: Juliana Amato Lumumba of DR Congo, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania and Dacian Cioloș of Romania.

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The four candidates presented their visions during a formal hearing before ministers in Paris in June, the first such hearing in the OIF’s history.

The process was introduced as part of governance reforms adopted in 2022 aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in the selection of the organisation’s leadership.

The OIF currently brings together 90 states and governments, comprising 53 members, five associate members and 32 observers.