At a Glance

• French President Emmanuel Macron is attending the three-day summit of French-speaking nations in Phnom Penh.

• Leaders will choose the organization's next secretary-general on Monday.

• The feud between Congo and Rwanda hangs over the proceedings.

Emmanuel Macron arrived in Cambodia on Saturday for the biennial summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, as he faces unrest at home and a diplomatic dispute between two African members over the group's leadership.

Key Statements and Focus Area

• Congo on the Leadership Race: Congo withdrew Juliana Lumumba's candidacy and backed Romanian former Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos to allow "consensus around a unifying candidacy." — Statement from Congo.

• UN Rapporteur on Rights: "No one should be detained for defending human rights, reporting on matters of public concern, or voicing critical opinions." — Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur.

• Focus Area: The race for the OIF's top job and the Congo-Rwanda rift threatening the organization's unity.

The summit, running through Monday, brings together about 20 government leaders, including Canada's Mark Carney, Vietnam's To Lam, Rwanda's Paul Kagame, and Congo's Félix Tshisekedi.

Macron's office said most members agree on the need for consensus on the leadership and that he would raise it with his African counterparts.

France carries influence as the largest contributor to the OIF's 2026 budget of €71.7 million ($79 million).

Incumbent Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda is seeking a third term, and Congo has threatened to leave the OIF if she is reelected.

Congo, the United States, and UN experts accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 armed group in eastern Congo, which Rwanda denies.

Congo's exit would be a major blow, as it is the world's most populous French-speaking country, with over 110 million people.

The OIF also lost Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, which announced their withdrawals in March 2025.

Macron was greeted by Apsara dancers, met Prime Minister Hun Manet, and said he seeks new markets for French businesses.

Cambodia takes over the chairmanship from him, and the summit's slogan is "Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability."

Rights activists see the event as a chance to press for democratic freedoms in what is effectively a one-party state.

On Monday, before leaving for Malaysia, Macron will visit Angkor with King Norodom Sihamoni to mark the completion of a French-supported restoration of the West Mebon temple.

His trip comes as more than 600,000 people protested in France earlier this month over wages, amid thousands of arrests and school fires.

FYI

The OIF is a loose confederation of 90 members and observers, made up of 53 full members, five associate members, and 32 observers.

Cambodia helped give birth to it: its late king, Norodom Sihanouk, was one of four founders in 1970 of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation.

Cambodia joined as an observer in 1991 and became a full member in 1993.

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