The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, already mired in cross-border conflict, clashed on Saturday over who should next head the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, a group of 53 French-speaking states and governments. The choice of the next secretary-general, ahead of a summit in Cambodia beginning on Sunday, has become a major point of contention between the two neighbours.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who arrived in the capital Phnom Penh on Saturday, asked Rwanda to withdraw its candidate, current leader Louise Mushikiwabo, in favour of a compromise choice. Mushikiwabo is seeking another term against three other candidates, including DR Congo's Juliana Lumumba, the daughter of national hero Patrice Lumumba. Following a report in Jeune Afrique magazine on Macron's move, Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said his country had rejected the request.S1S2

DR Congo, described as the world's second-largest French-speaking country, has reportedly threatened to quit the organisation if Mushikiwabo is re-elected on Monday, according to several sources. Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of supporting the activities of the M23 armed group inside DR Congo, an allegation Kigali denies.S1

DR Congo said on Saturday it was ready to withdraw Lumumba's nomination if Rwanda did likewise in favour of a third candidate who could deliver consensus and unity. "We have called on all member states to work towards a consensus and, in that spirit, we would be prepared to withdraw our candidate's nomination in order to facilitate the emergence of a consensus," said DR Congo's Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner in Phnom Penh.S1