OIF Summit in Phnom Penh Faces DRC Threat to 'Leave' the Group

The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) opened its three-day summit in Phnom Penh on Saturday. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) threatens to withdraw over the leadership of the association of French-speaking nations.

The group, a confederation of 90 states and governments, holds a vote on Monday. It includes 53 full members, five associate members, and 32 observers. They will select a secretary-general for a four-year term.

Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 armed group in the eastern DRC. The United States, the United Nations, and the DRC government allege Rwanda backs the militia. Kigali denies these claims. The DRC has a population of more than 110 million.

It has 40 million more people than France. It is the most populous country where French is an official language. Kinshasa said it will leave the OIF if Rwanda’s Louise Mushikiwabo is re-elected.

Kinshasa said this move was intended to allow “consensus around a unifying candidacy.” Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, said that Mushikiwabo remains in the race. Mauritania’s Coumba Ba, a former minister, is also a candidate.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived on Saturday and met with Prime Minister Hun Manet. Macron chaired the 2024 summit and is handing the chair to Cambodia. He is the first French president to visit Cambodia since 1993. The nation was once part of France’s Indochina colonies.

Only about 0.16 percent of its population speaks French. “requires us to build consensus in order to preserve the union”, the French president Emmanuel Macron said during his opening speech. Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Manet attended.

France is the biggest contributor to the OIF’s 2026 budget of 71.7 million euros. Canada provides 25 percent of the budget. Prime Minister Mark Carney represents Canada at the summit. Other leaders expected include Vietnamese President To Lam, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi. Approximately 20 leaders are expected to attend.

The summit is themed “Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability.” “No one should be detained for defending human rights, reporting on matters of public concern, or voicing critical opinions,” United Nations Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said, calling on delegates to advocate for the release of activists detained in Cambodia. Macron plans to visit the Angkor World Heritage Site on Monday before he departs for Malaysia.

The OIF saw the departures of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in March 2025. Those nations left following military coups. Macron faces widespread protests at home.