Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo has said tensions between Rwanda and DR Congo should not have a place in the race for the organisation's leadership. She made the remarks in an interview with France 24, on September 25, ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for November in Cambodia, where the organisation will for the first time elect its Secretary General through a vote if member states fail to reach consensus. ALSO READ: New York: PM rallies support for Mushikiwabo’s third term at OIF Mushikiwabo is facing three other candidates — Mauritania’s Coumba Ba, Romanian former prime minister Dacian Cioloș and DR Congo’s Juliana Lumumba. The election comes against the backdrop of strained relations between Rwanda and DR Congo over the conflict in eastern DR Congo. Asked whether Lumumba’s candidacy could be viewed as a move against Rwanda, Mushikiwabo acknowledged the longstanding tensions between the neighbouring countries but said they should not be brought into the OIF contest. “I think this confrontation has no place at the OIF,” she said. She also rejected the suggestion that the election could become a proxy contest between Rwanda and DR Congo. “No, I don’t think so at all,” Mushikiwabo said. ALSO READ: Rwanda backs Mushikiwabo for third term at Francophonie She argued that the contest should instead focus on the candidates’ ability to lead and manage the organisation. ‘I am not afraid’ She said she welcomed the move towards a vote, describing it as part of the organisation’s modernisation. “I am not afraid of a vote,” Mushikiwabo said, noting that she had supported provisions in the OIF’s new rules allowing member states to vote when consensus cannot be reached. “It would be presumptuous to say that I am the favourite because, as you know, an election is never over until it is over,” she said. ALSO READ: Nduhungirehe in Djibouti to lobby for Mushikiwabo's Francophonie candidacy Mushikiwabo said she believes her record and experience within the organisation make her a strong candidate. “I have a record that has been praised by heads of state on several occasions. I also continue to have ambitions for this organisation,” she said. ‘Support’ Mushikiwabo said she had received support from several OIF member states, although she declined to speculate on how major countries such as France and Canada would vote. “I have a lot of support,” she said. “Let’s just say that I am confident.” ALSO READ: Why Louise Mushikiwabo deserves a third term as OIF Secretary-General However, she stressed that influential countries do not have more votes than other members. “There are important countries, there are influential countries, there are major donors. But all 53 voting states and governments have one vote,” she said. ‘Sahel states’ The interview also touched on the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the OIF. The three Sahel countries were suspended and later sanctioned following military takeovers before withdrawing from the organisation. Mushikiwabo said she regretted their departure but rejected the suggestion that it represented a failure of her leadership. ALSO READ: Paris: Four candidates pitch for top Francophonie job “I would not have liked to be the Secretary General of an organisation from which states were withdrawing. I deeply regretted the departure of the three Sahel states,” she said. She attributed their withdrawal to wider geopolitical tensions rather than the actions of the OIF or its Secretary General. Mushikiwabo also defended the organisation’s different approach towards Guinea and Gabon, which also experienced military takeovers but remained engaged with the OIF through transition processes. ALSO READ: Francophonie: Minister Nkulikiyinka lobbies Seychelles to back Mushikiwabo's third term She said the OIF acted according to rules and political commitments agreed upon by member states. In the case of Guinea and Gabon, she said, the countries approached the OIF seeking support for their political transitions. “They wanted to establish a political system to emerge from that situation of constitutional irregularity,” she said. Mushikiwabo said member states subsequently agreed to give them another chance. Asked whether bringing Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger back into the OIF would be among her priorities if re-elected, Mushikiwabo said she would welcome their return.
