Louise Mushikiwabo’s unanimous victory as the new Secretary General of La Francophonie 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. Je me réjouis de voir au cœur des priorités de @LMushikiwabo la volonté d’impulser un nouveau narratif sur une #Afrique forte et sa détermination à travailler en faveur de l’employabilité de notre jeunesse. — Sylvia Bongo Ondimba (@Sylviabongo) October 12, 2018 Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, First Lady of Gabon, said she was pleased to see that Mushikiwabo seeks to stimulate a new narrative on a strong African and its determination to work for the employability of the youth at her heart. 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, attributed her victory to her dedication and track record of 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 (in her bid) to lead OIF to greater heights,” he wrote in a tweet. 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 He further tweeted that the designation of Mushikiwabo as secretary general of the Francophonie is victory of a dynamic, ambitious and relevant Francophonie in the world’s politics and business. It is also the victory of a brilliant, experienced and determined woman, he said. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said that Mushikiwabo’s victory is a “great pride for Africa and for Rwanda.” It is with deep pride that I congratulate pres @PaulKagame, President of the @_AfricanUnion in #Erevan upon the election of @LMushikiwabo as the new @OIFfrancophonie Secretary-General. When Africa speaks with one voice, we win! For #TheAfricaWeWant and a Francophony for all pic.twitter.com/sLSCmjjiM3 — Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) October 12, 2018 “I am delighted that the African candidate Mushikiwabo is elected by consensus and by acclamation. This demonstrates her qualities, experience, and leadership that are thus unanimously recognised by the Francophone fraternity. I congratulate her,” he said in tweet. The French embassy in Rwanda also congratulated Minister Mushikiwabo, La Francophonie, as well as the entire campaign team. 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 German Ambassador to Rwanda, Dr Peter Woeste, said that Mushikiwabo’s victory is “an expression of the amazing worldwide reputation of your personally and also a great recognition of the role Rwanda plays internationally.” 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!” editorial@newtimes.co.rw
