Paris – The Democratic Republic of Congo’s diplomatic push for the leadership of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) gained momentum this week in the French capital, with Juliana Amato Lumumba at the forefront of high-level engagements. On Thursday, Lumumba, accompanied by senior Congolese officials, held strategic discussions with French Member of Parliament Éléonore Caroit. The meeting, coordinated under the leadership of Minister Crispin Mbadu, provided Lumumba with an important platform to outline her vision for a revitalized Francophonie, one that is more modern, people-focused, and results-oriented.According to the Congolese delegation, the talks emphasized strengthening bilateral ties between France and the DRC, while addressing pressing regional challenges, including the ongoing security crisis in eastern Congo and continued monitoring of the Ebola outbreak.

Official Campaign Launch

The diplomatic activities culminated in the official launch of Juliana Amato Lumumba’s candidacy for Secretary-General of the OIF. The event brought together a high-powered Congolese delegation, including Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, Foreign Minister Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister Crispin Mbadu, and other senior officials including Raïssa Malu.Speaking at the launch, Patrick Muyaya described Lumumba’s bid as embodying a “Francophonie of the people,” built on key pillars of youth empowerment, culture, innovation, peace, and enhanced cooperation among Francophone nations.

Kinshasa has been steadily ramping up its international lobbying efforts ahead of the 2026 OIF leadership election. Officials are positioning Juliana Amato Lumumba as a candidate of renewal, one committed to dialogue, solidarity, youth inclusion, and practical action within the Francophone community.This Paris visit marks a significant step in the DRC’s campaign, blending bilateral diplomacy with a clear vision for reforming and energizing the OIF.