Kinshasa, August 5th, 2026 (CPA).- Julia Amatu Lumumba’s candidacy for the post of Secretary-General of the International Organisation of Francophonie (OIF), on behalf of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is backed by an international organisation called ‘Exhaler’, its vice-president confirmed to the CPA on Wednesday. “As you have seen recently, we have launched a campaign to mobilise political authorities, community leaders and many citizens to express their commitment to and support for the DRC’s candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the OIF, Ms Juliana Lumumba,” has declared Alain Ilunga. “This candidate from DRC possesses the required skills and the necessary experience to take up this role, provided she receives the support of all Congolese people. She is an experienced woman with a solid diplomatic career and many fine qualities,” he has said.
According to an OIF press release, the election of the General-Secretary of Francophonie is scheduled for November 16th 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during the organisation’s 20th Summit, where the heads of state and government of member countries will choose the person who will lead the future of French culture and languages for the next four years.
For his part, the vice-president of the ‘Exhaler’ platform has noted that the Congolese candidacy is set against a backdrop of numerous global challenges, notably climate change, environmental protection, the energy transition and other issues facing the Francophonie. “The candidate is well placed to make a significant contribution to these issues thanks to her background and expertise,” has said Alain Ilunga.
Call for support for DRC
He also called on the Congolese people to rally behind this candidacy, believing it represents an opportunity to strengthen the DRC’s diplomatic influence on the international stage. “The DRC must no longer be a dwarf perched on the shoulders of giants, but a giant amongst nations. Our country now occupies a strategic position in the world thanks to its mineral resources, its energy potential and its role in the major international balances of power. It is time to show the world what the DRC is capable ,” has declared the organisation’s leader.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to all the dignitaries, institutions and citizens who contributed to the success of the mobilisation event on August 1st at the National Museum of DRC,” has said the vice-president. “This mobilisation event aimed to reaffirm the participants’ support for the DRC’s candidacy for the post of General-Secretary of the International Organisation of Francophonie. And we were honoured by the presence of Ms Juliana Lumumba,” he has added. This first day of mobilisation, organised by the organisations ‘Exhaler’ and ‘MF26’, aimed to reiterate the shared commitment to promoting the DRC’s influence within the Francophone world.