Rwanda is anti-France but wants to lead Francophonie? It’s all about global influence

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo is campaigning to become Francophonie secretary-general. ILLUSTRATION | JOHN NYAGAH | NMG

For more than a year now, Rwanda has been campaigning enthusiastically to be the next leader of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, a group of French-speaking states that have political, social and economic connections with France.

The new secretary-general will be chosen at the Francophonie’s upcoming summit in Armenia in October.