Macron faces diplomatic hurdles at Cambodia summit

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Cambodia for a summit where an African conflict threatens to split the French-speaking bloc.

The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie convenes in Phnom Penh from Saturday through Monday. Macron, who served as the group's chair in 2024, is set to transfer the role to Cambodia. The loose confederation includes 53 full members, five associate members, and 32 observers.

The central decision of the three-day meeting will be the election of a new secretary-general. Candidates include Louise Mushikiwabo of Rwanda, who seeks a third four-year term, and Juliana Lumumba of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lumumba, 71, is the daughter of independence hero Patrice Lumumba. Two other candidates from Romania and Mauritania may serve as compromise choices.

The selection is contentious because Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 armed group in eastern Congo. The United States and United Nations experts also cite evidence of Rwandan support for the militia. Rwanda denies backing armed groups in its neighbor. Congo has threatened to leave the organization if Mushikiwabo wins. With a population exceeding 110 million, Congo is the most populous nation where French is an official language. Its withdrawal would reduce the group's reach.

France holds considerable leverage in the vote as the largest contributor to the 2026 budget, which totals 71.7 million euros. The tension follows the March 2025 withdrawals of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Those nations left after being suspended over military coups, citing infringements on sovereignty and a desire to reduce French influence.

Macron's international itinerary occurs while France contends with domestic unrest. The Interior Ministry reported that more than 600,000 people protested earlier this month to demand higher wages and support student movements. The demonstrations have led to thousands of arrests, hundreds of injuries, and fires in schools.

Before returning to France, Macron will visit the Angkor World Heritage Site near Siem Reap. He will join King Norodom Sihamoni to mark the completion of a French-supported restoration of the West Mebon temple.

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. Delegates will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and the king. The summit's slogan, Reinvest in Peace for Shared Prosperity and Lasting Stability, reflects Cambodia's recovery from war in the late 20th century.

Cambodia, a founding partner of the organization's predecessor in 1970, is using the event to showcase tourism and business opportunities. Local activists view the gathering as a chance to press for democratic reforms. United Nations Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews urged delegates to pressure the government to release detained rights activists. Andrews stated that no one should be detained for defending human rights or voicing critical opinions.