The project of DRC’s candidate for the OIF presented in Brussels

Brussels, June 25^th, 2026 (CPA). – The project of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s candidate to the General Secretariat of the International Organisation of the Franco phony (OIF), entitled ‘Francophone Academy of Peace’, has been presented on Thursday during a meeting granted to the Congolese delegation at the Egmont Palace in Brussels, according to a press release received by CPA.  “The meeting was very fruitful and constructive; discussions centred on the creation of a Francophone Peace Academy. They have listened to the other candidates and they have appreciated my project. Belgium has agreed to support it,” has declared the candidate Juliana Lumumba, quoted in the press release from DRC Embassy to the Benelux countries. The delegation, led by Crispin Mbadu, Minister of State in charge of Franco phony and the Diaspora, included, notably, Ms Juliana Amato Lumumba, the candidate, as well as Mr Christian Ndongala Nkunku, DRC’s Ambassador to the Benelux countries and to the European Union. The election of the new General Secretary of the OIF will take place during the organisation’s 20^th summit, scheduled for November 15^th and 16^th in Phnom Penh, in Cambodia. For the first time, the choice will be made by a vote of the Heads of State and Government to decide between the four candidates. Until now, the General Secretary had been chosen at the summit by consensus among the Heads of State and Government.  The criteria for selection often take into account the political experience, the capacity for mobilisation, and a geographical alternation between the different continents within the francophone world. In addition to Ms Lumumba, the other candidates are Ms Coumba Ba from Mauritania, the former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, and Louise Mushikwabo from Rwanda, the outgoing General Secretary, who has held the post since 2019 and is standing for a third term. The OIF has been in existence since 1970, when it has been founded in Niamey, in Niger. It currently comprises 93 States and governments across five continents, comprising 56 full members, 5 associate members and 32 observer members. Given its mandate to promote human rights, education and economic cooperation, the OIF General Secretary holds “a considerable diplomatic importance”, has indicated in the statement, specifying that with an annual budget of approximately 116 million dollars in 2026, “the organisation provides an access to economic opportunities and education for millions of young Africans, as well as promoting the French language across the globe”.ACP