KINSHASA – In a long-anticipated move that sets the stage for a high-stakes geopolitical showdown in the heart of Central Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially unveiled its candidate to challenge Rwandan incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo for the top job at the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
The DRC government announced on Thursday the candidacy of Juliana Amato Lumumba, a former Culture Minister and a seasoned diplomat, for the position of Secretary-General of the Francophonie. The announcement, made in Kinshasa, marks the beginning of what is expected to be a tense electoral battle between the two often-rival neighbors.
Amato Lumumba, a figure with deep roots in the Congo’s political history, enters the race against Mushikiwabo, who has held the reins of the Paris-based organization since 2019 and is seeking another term.
A Candidate with Historic Ties
Juliana Amato Lumumba is not a newcomer to the corridors of power. She served as Vice-Minister of Culture and Information, and subsequently as Minister of Culture, during the tenure of the late President Laurent-Désiré Kabila from 1997 to 2001. Her time in office placed her at the heart of the regime that took power after the fall of Mobutu Sese Seko, giving her a firsthand perspective on the nation’s post-colonial evolution and its complex relationship with its neighbors.
Her father, Patrice Lumumba, remains a towering figure in the struggle against colonialism, and his assassination—which made him a martyr for African independence—casts a long shadow over the continent’s relations with the West. Her campaign is framed as a push for a “modern, inclusive” Francophonie that is closer to the people. However, diplomatic analysts view the move primarily as a direct challenge to Rwanda’s growing influence within the global French-speaking community.
“We are witnessing a classic diplomatic duel,” said a political analyst based in the Great Lakes region. “By fielding a candidate of this caliber, Kinshasa is signaling that it wants to reclaim leadership in the Francophone space and counter Kigali’s soft power, especially amid the volatile security situation in eastern DRC.”
The Rivalry on an International Stage
The contest between Amato Lumumba and Mushikiwabo adds a new dimension to the frequently tense relationship between the DRC and Rwanda. While the two countries have often clashed over security issues in eastern Congo, the race for the OIF leadership shifts the battleground to the diplomatic and cultural arena.
The DRC’s government emphasized Amato Lumumba’s pan-African credentials in an effort to contrast her profile with the incumbent. Kinshasa highlights her tenure as Secretary-General of the Union of African Chambers of Commerce (UACCIAP) in Cairo and her fluency in five languages—French, Arabic, English, Lingala, and Swahili—as assets that can unite the organization’s diverse member states.
“Her exceptional career, her commitment to women and youth, and her vision of a united Francophonie make her a candidate of conviction and action,” stated Crispin Mbadu Phanzu, the minister in charge of Francophonie, during the official announcement.
A Battle for the Future of the Francophonie
At 68, Amato Lumumba brings a blend of political experience and entrepreneurial acumen to the race. An alumna of the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris, she has spent over three decades navigating public governance and international cooperation.
Her campaign is expected to focus on the economic transitions of the 21st century, leveraging her background in commerce to advocate for a Francophonie that prioritizes trade and youth entrepreneurship alongside language and culture.
The incumbent, Louise Mushikiwabo, is widely credited with restoring financial stability to the OIF but has faced criticism regarding her proximity to the Rwandan government. With Kinshasa now throwing its weight behind a candidate with Lumumba’s political pedigree, the election is poised to be a referendum on the direction of the institution itself.
As the campaign trail heats up ahead of the Francophonie Summit, all eyes will be on how these two influential women from neighboring—yet geopolitically divided—nations vie for the leadership of one of the world’s largest linguistic organizations.
