Patrick Muyaya Says DRC Has Legitimate Ambition to Lead Francophonie

In a spirited launch event for Juliana Amato Lumumba’s bid to lead the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) officials, led by Minister of Communication and Media Patrick Muyaya, underscored the Central African nation’s legitimate claim to the organization’s helm, citing President Emmanuel Macron’s recent acknowledgment of the Congo River Basin as the new epicenter of the French language.

Speaking at the event, Muyaya emphasized the symbolic and demographic weight behind Lumumba’s candidacy. “Madame Juliana Lumumba is Congolese and she has the ambition to lead and to give new impetus to this international organization called the Francophonie,” he stated. He reminded the audience of Macron’s declaration that the epicenter of Francophonie now lies in the Congo River Basin, adding: “What could be more natural than for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to carry this ambition?”

Muyaya highlighted Lumumba’s strong credentials: her proven mastery of French alongside related languages, shaped by her distinguished career. He framed her bid as a timely shift: “Ultimately, it is time to make this Francophonie a Francophonie of the peoples”, moving beyond elite diplomatic circles to connect more deeply with citizens, especially the youth.

A Universal, Civilizational Ambition

Juliana Lumumba herself articulated an expansive vision for the OIF, positioning her candidacy as more than a leadership bid. She called for “an even more universal candidacy,” envisioning a Francophonie that transcends its current institutional, diplomatic, and linguistic framework to become “a true civilizational consciousness among nations.”

Her platform focuses on renewal: greater inclusion, youth empowerment, cultural cooperation, digital transformation, women’s rights, and sustainable development. With the DRC home to the world’s largest French-speaking population, over 100 million people, predominantly young, Lumumba and DRC officials argue that the organization’s future must reflect the demographic realities of its vibrant African core.

The Paris launch forms part of a broader diplomatic offensive by Kinshasa. Lumumba’s campaign directly challenges incumbent Secretary-General Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda, who is seeking a third term, setting up a high-stakes contest within the 88-member OIF.

Muyaya has repeatedly stressed that the DRC’s push is “positive and constructive,” not driven by bilateral rivalries. Instead, it leverages the country’s linguistic and cultural influence to inject new dynamism into the Francophonie amid rapid global changes.

As the campaign unfolds, observers note that a Lumumba-led OIF could amplify African voices, prioritize people-centered initiatives, and align the organization more closely with the realities of its fastest-growing linguistic communities.