Rwanda Seeks Ghana’s Support for Mushikiwabo’s Bid to Lead Francophonie

Kigali, April 11, 2026 - Rwanda has formally requested Ghana’s backing for the re-election of Louise Mushikiwabo to lead the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) for the 2027-2030 term.

The message was delivered in Accra by Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana, during a visit on April 10, 2026. According to Rwanda’s Ministry of Education, Nsengimana conveyed a request from President Paul Kagame urging Ghanaian authorities to support Mushikiwabo’s candidacy for another term.

The OIF Secretary-General election is expected to take place at the organization’s Council of Ministers meeting scheduled for November 15-16 in Cambodia, with the nomination process closing in May 2026.

Mushikiwabo, who is seeking a third term, is currently among several declared candidates. Others include Romanian former prime minister Dacian Cioloș, former DRC culture minister Juliana Amato Lumumba, and Mauritanian academic and former minister Coumba Ba.

Rwanda’s diplomatic outreach reflects ongoing efforts to consolidate support within Francophone and partner countries ahead of the vote for one of the organization’s most influential leadership positions.