Francophone summit opens in Cambodia amid Rwanda-DR Congo rift
Summary
The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie is holding a three-day summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, amid a dispute between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo over its leadership. Leaders are due to choose a secretary-general for a four-year term on Monday, while Cambodia’s human-rights record is also drawing attention.Key Facts
- The Francophonie organization brings together 90 states and governments where French is spoken or widely used.
- Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo, secretary-general since 2018, is seeking a third term.
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo threatened to leave the organization if Mushikiwabo is re-elected.
- The DRC withdrew its candidate, Juliana Lumumba, and backed former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos.
- Mauritania’s former minister Coumba Ba is also running for secretary-general.
- The DRC, the United States and United Nations experts say Rwanda backs the M23 armed group in eastern DRC; Rwanda denies the allegations.
- French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Cambodia and met Prime Minister Hun Manet.
- UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews urged delegates to call for the release of detained Cambodian activists.
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