Francophone leaders hold summit in Cambodia as central African conflict threatens diplomatic rift

French-speaking leaders convened in Cambodia for the 20th Francophonie Summit, a key international gathering marked by deep African diplomatic rifts and internal turmoil in France. President Emmanuel Macron presided over the three-day biennial talks hosted by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), which unites 90 member states and governments representing nearly 400 million French speakers worldwide.

At the heart of the summit lies a leadership battle over the OIF's next secretary-general, with Rwandan incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo vying for a third term against Congo's candidate, Juliana Lumumba. Congo withdrew Lumumba's candidacy, endorsing former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos as a unifying choice. The leadership dispute mirrors escalating tensions along the Congolese-Rwandan border, where Kinshasa accuses Kigali of backing the M23 rebel group.

Losing Congo would severely impact the bloc, given its demographic and cultural significance. The summit also reflects a broader shift in French influence across Francophone Africa, following the recent departures of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso due to military coups. French President Macron, arriving in Southeast Asia amid domestic protests demanding higher wages, balances diplomatic efforts with the need to address internal unrest.

The summit's theme, "Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability," aligns with Cambodia's own post-conflict recovery. Key figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Vietnamese leader To Lam, are expected to attend, with resolutions focusing on peace, economic cooperation, and cultural heritage protection.