Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwandas Foreign Minister’s unanimous victory as the new Secretary General of La Francophonie has already dominated social media platforms not just in Rwanda but also across the world. Her election at the head of the 84-nation bloc took place Friday during the 17th OIF summit in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Her win follows months on the campaign trail that took her to different countries across the world. Mushikiwabo takes over from Canadian Michaëlle Jean who has held the position for the last four years. The New Times has compiled reactions from selected renowned individual about Mushikiwabo’s victory. While appearing on a televised show on Rwanda Television, Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community, was all praises for attributed his boss’s victory to her dedication and track record she has earned delivering on her tasks. “I have worked with her for the last nine years; she is an intelligent, smart and experienced woman who associates well with people. I believe Mushikiwabo’s experience gained in her service to the development of Rwanda will be vital to lead OIF to greater heights,” he wrote in a tweet. He further tweeted that the designation of Mushikiwabo as secretary general of the Francophonie is the victory of a dynamic, ambitious and relevant Francophonie in the world’s politics and business. “She is also the victory of a brilliant, experienced and determined woman,” he tweeted. La désignation de @LMushikiwabo comme Secrétaire Générale de la @OIFFrancophonie est la victoire dune #Francophonie dynamique, ambitieuse et pertinente dans le monde. Elle est aussi la victoire dune femme brillante, expérimentée et déterminée. @LMFrancophonie #SommetEVN18 pic.twitter.com/nNYx1ViJXy — Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe (@onduhungirehe) October 12, 2018 Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said that Mushikiwabo’s victory is a “great pride for Africa and for #Rwanda.” “I am delighted that the African candidate @LMushikiwabo is elected by consensus and by acclamation. This demonstrates her qualities, experience, and leadership that are thus unanimously recognized by the #francophone fraternity. I congratulate her,” he tweeted. 1:2: Je suis ravi que la candidate africaine @LMushikiwabo soit élue par consensus et par acclamation. Cela démontre ses qualités, son expérience, et son leadership qui sont ainsi unanimement reconnus par la famille #francophone. Je la félicite. — Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) October 12, 2018 The French embassy in Rwanda also congratulated Minister Mushikiwabo on her election as the head of the international organisation, La Francophonie, as well as the entire campaign team. L’ambassade de France au Rwanda @ambafrancerwa félicite Madame la Ministre @LMushikiwabo pour son élection à la tête de l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie lors du #SommetEVN18 ainsi que toute l’équipe de campagne du Minaffet ! #Francophonie2018 — AmbaFranceRwa (@ambafrancerwa) October 12, 2018 German Ambassador to Rwanda, Dr Peter Woeste, said that Mushikiwabo’s victory is “an expression of the amazing worldwide reputation of you personally and also a great recognition of the role Rwanda plays internationally.” Congratulations Honourable Minister @LMushikiwabo ! An expression of the amazing worldwide reputation of you personally and also a great recognition of the role Rwanda plays internationally. #OIF Félicitations! https://t.co/KxH5KPnWYI — Ambassador Woeste ?? (@GermanyinRwanda) October 12, 2018 Anne-Laure Cattelot, a French Member of Parliament, said: “24 years after the genocide that devastated Rwanda, Louise Mushikiwabo is appointed general secretary of the OIF. What fate!.” 24 ans après le genocide qui a dévasté le #Rwanda, #LouiseMushikiwabo est nommée secrétaire générale de l’ #OIF ? Quel destin ✨#Francophonie #SommetEVN18 pic.twitter.com/PAFIsgZIyA — Anne-Laure Cattelot (@ALCattelot) October 12, 2018
