With a few days remaining before the election of the next Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș are emerging as the two candidates attracting the most attention in a four-way race.

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The election is scheduled for November 16 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during the 20th Francophonie Summit, which runs from November 15 to 16.

Mushikiwabo, who has led the organisation since 2018, is seeking a third term.

She faces three challengers, including former DR Congo Minister of Culture Juliana Amato Lumumba, former Mauritanian minister Coumba Bâ, and Cioloș, who served as Romania’s prime minister from 2015 to 2017 and as European Commissioner for Agriculture.

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Over the past months of campaigning, different reports have repeatedly pointed to the support Mushikiwabo has received from member states during OIF meetings and summits, attributing it to her record and leadership of the organisation since 2018.

Her previous performance and the reforms undertaken during her tenure have featured prominently in her re-election campaign, with reports indicating that several countries have expressed support for her continued leadership.

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However, more recent reports on the current race indicate that support is being mobilised around two major candidates, Mushikiwabo and Cioloș. An AFP report published on November 6, citing sources familiar with the organisation, identified the two as candidates attracting particular attention. Other reports have documented diplomatic efforts by DR Congo, Mauritania and Romania to secure backing for their respective candidates.

The level of support across the OIF’s 53 full members remains difficult to establish, as governments have not publicly disclosed their preferred candidates.

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Rwanda has backed Mushikiwabo for another term, citing her experience and record in strengthening the organisation. During her tenure, the OIF undertook administrative and budgetary reforms, established new regional offices in Beirut, Tunis and Quebec City, and admitted seven new members.

She has also highlighted the organisation's work in political dialogue, conflict prevention, education and economic cooperation. Her vision for another term includes expanding programmes in digital skills, entrepreneurship and youth employment, while strengthening the Francophonie's relevance to its members.

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Cioloș, meanwhile, is campaigning for a more practical and economically focused Francophonie, with French serving as a language of opportunities, particularly in business and employment. His proposed priorities include expanding digital technology, entrepreneurship and youth employability programmes, alongside improving transparency, accountability and the effectiveness of the organisation's work.