President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame arrived in Cambodia on Thursday, November 12, for a state visit and the 20th Francophonie Summit, which will take place in Phnom Penh on November 15 and 16. During the visit, the President is scheduled to meet Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni and hold talks with senior government officials, including Senate President Hun Sen, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary and Prime Minister Hun Manet. ALSO READ: Kagame set to visit Cambodia ahead of Francophonie summit The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and identifying new areas of cooperation. Several agreements and cooperation documents covering trade, investment, aviation and tourism are scheduled to be signed during the visit. They are expected to create opportunities for stronger economic ties and cooperation between institutions and businesses in both countries. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Cambodia sign two bilateral agreements Following the state visit, Kagame will attend the 20th Francophonie Summit which will bring together leaders and representatives of the 90 member states and governments of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) to discuss issues affecting the French-speaking world. It will be held under the theme, “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability”. One of the key items on the agenda will be the election of the organisation’s next Secretary-General on November 16, for the 2027–2030 term. ALSO READ: Who gets to choose the next Francophonie Secretary-General? Four candidates are competing for the position: incumbent Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda, Coumba Bâ of Mauritania, Juliana Amato Lumumba of DR Congo and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș. Mushikiwabo, who has led the organisation since 2019, is seeking a third four-year term. She was re-elected in 2022. The election will be decided by the OIF’s 53 full members. Although the organisation comprises 90 member states and governments, only full members have voting rights in the selection of the Secretary-General. The remaining membership includes five associate members and 32 observers.
