Juliana Lumumba Wants a Francophonie “Closer to the People”

PARIS — Juliana Amato Lumumba, daughter of Congolese independence icon Patrice Lumumba and candidate for Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), has called for a major “refoundation” of the Francophonie, arguing that the institution must become “closer to the people” and less bureaucratic.

Speaking in an extensive interview with RFI during her campaign visit to Paris, the former Congolese culture minister presented her vision for what she described as a more inclusive, youth-focused and people-centered Francophonie ahead of the OIF leadership election scheduled for November 2026.

“I want a Francophonie of the peoples, closer to the people,” Juliana Lumumba told RFI. “Not only governments, but communities, women, men and young people speaking to each other.”

Her candidacy comes at a pivotal moment for the French-speaking world, as African countries now represent the majority of Francophone speakers globally. Lumumba argues that the organisation must evolve beyond what she described as an overly institutional model and reconnect with ordinary citizens, youth and cultural diversity across the Francophone space.

A Campaign Built Around Youth, Dialogue and Cultural Diversity

During the interview, Lumumba emphasized the importance of youth, digital transformation, education and cultural industries in the future of the Francophonie.

She argued that Africa’s demographic reality, where the majority of French speakers are now young Africans, requires a new vision for the organisation.

Lumumba also defended the idea of a “polycentric” French language, explaining that French should coexist alongside African languages rather than dominate them.