Madar (International) - The Democratic Republic of the Congo said on Saturday, 14 November 2026, that it was ready to withdraw Juliana Lumumba's candidacy for Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in order to "favour the emergence of a consensus candidate", according to remarks by Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner reported by the Congolese news site Actualite.cd.
The announcement came at the close of the 48th session of the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie in Phnom Penh, held ahead of the 20th summit of heads of state and government. The minister said Kinshasa had informed all member states of its "readiness to withdraw the candidacy of its candidate", to avoid "a vote" or debates that could "put the cohesion of the organisation under pressure".
Four candidates are in the race: outgoing Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda, who is seeking a third term; Juliana Lumumba of the DRC; Mauritania's Coumba Ba, minister-adviser and special envoy of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani; and former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, the same source said.
"The Democratic Republic of the Congo has chosen wisdom and cohesion. We have also chosen sacrifice, because we have an excellent candidate in the race," the minister said, urging the other candidates to "reconsider their position". Asked about a possible refusal by Rwanda, she said: "If Rwanda does not do it, Rwanda will not do it and will take responsibility for that."
She added that Kinshasa could reassess its decision "if, for whatever reason, we feel motivated to reassess it because of results or the positions of one party or another".
On Saturday, Ciolos posted a message on X thanking the DRC "for its confidence in my vision and its commitment to consensus", the site reported, saying the message confirmed the Congolese candidate's withdrawal and Kinshasa's support for the Romanian candidate.
According to Actualite.cd, the Secretary-General is due to be chosen for the first time by a vote of heads of state and government, rather than by consensus as before. Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani arrived in Phnom Penh on Saturday morning to take part in the summit.
