Juliana Lumumba Courts Canada as OIF Race Enters Critical Phase

Juliana Amato Lumumba has stepped up her international outreach as the race for leadership of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) enters a decisive phase.

The Congolese OIF candidate "Juliana Amato Lumumba" was in Canada this week, where she held meetings with senior officials at both federal and provincial levels. After earlier discussions in Ottawa with federal minister Anita Anand, Lumumba is expected to meet Quebec’s ministers of culture and international relations, Mathieu Lacombe and Christopher Skeete.

In an interview with The Canadian Press in a Montreal café, Lumumba described Quebec as a “key” partner in her vision for the Francophonie, emphasizing its role in shaping the organization’s future.

Her visit comes as member states weigh their positions ahead of the November 2026 summit in Phnom Penh, where the next Secretary-General of the OIF will be selected. Neither Ottawa nor Quebec has yet publicly indicated which candidate they will support.

In discussions with Canadian officials, Lumumba presented Quebec as a central actor in her strategy. She pointed to the province’s experience in cultural policy, digital innovation, and institutional governance as assets that could help strengthen the organisation.

“I don’t speak of Quebec as a simple partner; I speak of it as a major co-architect of this vision,” she said, highlighting the role she sees Canada playing in the future direction of the OIF.

Her proposals focus on increasing the production and visibility of Francophone content, particularly in the digital space, where she warned of a risk of cultural marginalisation if the Francophonie does not adapt.

Lumumba has also emphasized the need for institutional reform within the OIF. She has called for greater efficiency, the introduction of performance indicators, and a clearer focus on tangible outcomes.

“The OIF must be a space of service. We must be concrete,” she said, underlining the need to move beyond what she described as routine institutional practices.

Her campaign places particular emphasis on youth engagement, cultural production, and economic opportunities linked to the French language.

Lumumba is competing against the current Secretary-General, Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda, who is seeking a third term, as well as former Romanian prime minister Dacian Cioloș.

Mushikiwabo has also been active internationally, including a recent visit to Quebec City, where she presented the latest report on the global state of the French language and held meetings with local officials.

The selection process for the OIF leadership traditionally relies on consensus among member states rather than a simple vote, making diplomatic engagement a key factor in the outcome.

While tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda remain part of the broader geopolitical context, Lumumba has sought to distance her candidacy from bilateral disputes.

“I am not against anyone,” she said, adding that the Francophonie should not become a space for confrontation.

She also indicated that she sees herself as well placed to help re-engage countries that have recently distanced themselves from the organisation, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

With Canada among the largest contributors to the OIF, its position is expected to carry weight in the final decision. The organisation, which brings together nearly 90 member states, operates with an annual budget of over €100 million and plays a central role in promoting the French language and cultural cooperation globally.

As the campaign enters its final stretch, Lumumba’s outreach reflects a broader effort to build consensus among key partners and position her candidacy within the evolving landscape of the Francophonie.