Macron faces tricky vote at French-speaking summit in Cambodia

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in Phnom Penh on Saturday to attend a three-day summit of French-speaking nations. The gathering of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie continues through Monday. While the event is intended to celebrate cultural ties, diplomatic friction over a leadership election in a distant African conflict may dominate the agenda.

The central issue involves the selection of the organization's next secretary-general. Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo is seeking a third four-year term. Her main rival is Juliana Lumumba, the 71-year-old daughter of independence hero Patrice Lumumba, who represents the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two African nations are currently at odds over the M23 armed group. Congo, the United States, and United Nations experts accuse Rwanda of backing the M23 in the mineral-rich eastern region. Rwanda denies supporting the armed group.

Congo has warned it may leave the Francophonie if Mushikiwabo wins the vote. That withdrawal would be a major loss for the group because Congo has a population of more than 110 million people. That number is more than 40 million higher than France's population. Congo is the most populous country where French is an official language.

Macron faces this diplomatic challenge while dealing with unrest at home. The French Interior Ministry reported that more than 600,000 people protested in France earlier this month. The demonstrations demanded higher wages and supported student movements. The protests have resulted in thousands of arrests, hundreds of injuries, and fires in schools.

France holds considerable influence in the vote because it is the largest contributor to the organization's 2026 budget of 71.7 million euros. Two other candidates from Romania and Mauritania are also running and may serve as compromise options. The decision comes after Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso withdrew from the group in March 2025 following suspensions related to military coups.

Approximately 20 government leaders are expected to attend the summit. The group includes Canada's Mark Carney, Vietnam's To Lam, Rwanda's Paul Kagame, and Congo's Felix Tshisekedi. They will meet with Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Manet. Cambodia is taking over the summit chairmanship from France. Macron served as chair in 2024 when France hosted the previous meeting.

Before leaving for Malaysia on Monday, Macron plans to visit the Angkor World Heritage Site near Siem Reap. He and King Sihamoni will mark the completion of a French-supported restoration of the West Mebon temple. The summit slogan is Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability. The phrase reflects Cambodia's recovery from the war and unrest of the late 20th century.