The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Rwanda are locked in a diplomatic dispute over the leadership of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), with Kinshasa threatening to withdraw from the organisation if Rwanda’s candidate secures another term.

The dispute has intensified ahead of the OIF summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where leaders of the organisation’s 53 full member states are expected to select a secretary-general on Monday, November 16.

Rwanda’s incumbent secretary-general, Louise Mushikiwabo, is seeking a third term after leading the organisation since 2019. She is facing competition from three candidates, including DR Congo’s Juliana Amato Lumumba, a former culture minister and daughter of the country’s independence leader, Patrice Lumumba.

The other candidates are former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș and former Mauritanian minister Coumba Ba.

Kinshasa has strongly opposed Mushikiwabo’s bid, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group, which has been fighting government forces in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing the group.

The Congolese government has reportedly warned that it could leave the Francophonie if Mushikiwabo is re-elected, arguing that her continued leadership would be incompatible with the organisation’s stated commitment to peace and cooperation among French-speaking countries.

However, in a significant development on Saturday, DR Congo indicated that it was prepared to withdraw Lumumba’s candidacy if other countries, including Rwanda, also stepped aside to allow a consensus candidate to emerge.

Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner said her government had called on member states to work towards consensus and was willing to withdraw its candidate to facilitate a common choice.

Kinshasa also expressed readiness to consider supporting Cioloș, who has emerged as a possible compromise candidate.

Rwanda, however, has shown no indication that it intends to withdraw Mushikiwabo from the contest. Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said Kigali had rejected a request from French President Emmanuel Macron for Rwanda to withdraw its candidate in favour of a compromise choice.

Macron’s reported intervention reflects growing international concern that the leadership contest could deepen divisions within the Francophonie, particularly given the strained relations between Kigali and Kinshasa.

The OIF promotes the French language, cultural and linguistic diversity, democracy, education and cooperation among its member states and governments. It brings together 90 states and governments, including full members, associate members and observers.

The organisation traditionally selects its secretary-general by consensus. However, rules adopted at its 2022 summit allow a vote by simple majority if members fail to reach agreement.

The leadership dispute comes amid broader tensions between the two neighbouring African countries over security and the conflict in eastern DR Congo.

Mushikiwabo, a former Rwandan foreign minister, was first elected secretary-general in 2018 and secured a second term in 2022. Her bid for another four-year term has become a major diplomatic issue, with the outcome expected to test the organisation’s ability to manage disagreements among its members.

The summit’s decision could have implications beyond the leadership of the Francophonie, particularly for relations between African member states and the organisation’s efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation.