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Published on: 02/10/2026 - 08:43
In an interview with France 24, former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, candidate to head the International Organization of the Francophonie, believes that his future "is certainly in Africa", without being limited to it. He wants to “make the French-speaking world more useful” and says he is “very confident” before the November election.
Former Romanian Prime Minister and former European Commissioner, Dacian Ciolos, met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, is the only man and the only European in the running against three African candidates. “The future of the Francophonie is certainly in Africa,” he recognizes, before qualifying: “But the Francophonie is not limited to Africa.” He defends "an international network with Africa at the center, but where all other countries must be actively involved."
According to him, it is in the interest of African countries "not to leave the impression that the Francophonie is just a regional, African organization, with funding from a few Northern countries." If he is elected, he will propose to member states an administrator from Africa, a position traditionally entrusted to a Quebec Canadian.
How to “make the French-speaking world more useful”?
The candidate wants to “make the French-speaking world more useful”. For him, his future depends on young people, on their choice to learn this language: without them, meetings of heads of state and government will not be enough, he insists.
Faced with the outgoing secretary general, the Rwandan Louise Mushikiwabo, who is seeking a third term, and the Congolese Juliana Lumumba, against a backdrop of tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa, could Dacian Ciolos benefit from the vote of states reluctant to decide between the two countries?
See also Election at the head of the Organization of the Francophonie: “I am serene”, says Louise Mushikiwabo
“That’s a discussion among analysts,” he says, asserting that he has not presented his candidacy “against anyone.” However, he believes that "it would be good to avoid bringing, let's say, regional dissensions" to the head of the organization. Considered by many observers as an outsider before the Francophonie summit in mid-November in Cambodia, he says he is "very confident" and promises to go all the way.
Text by Sophian Aubin
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