Nduhungirehe made the clarification in response to an inquiry by IGIHE following reports that French President Emmanuel Macron had asked his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, to withdraw Mushikiwabo's candidacy to prevent the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from leaving the organisation.

"All I can say is that Louise Mushikiwabo is still in the race," Nduhungirehe said.

Jeune Afrique reported that Macron had sent a message to Kagame on the night of November 12–13, proposing that Rwanda withdraw Mushikiwabo's candidacy in the interest of preserving the DRC's membership in the OIF.

According to the publication, Macron indicated that DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani had also agreed to withdraw their respective countries' candidates, Juliana Amato Lumumba and Coumba Bâ, in favour of former Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș, whom he reportedly considered a consensus candidate.

The diplomatic discussions come after Tshisekedi threatened to withdraw the DRC from the OIF if Mushikiwabo secured another term. The DRC has the world's largest French-speaking population, making its potential departure a major concern for the organisation.

Speaking to journalists in Kigali on November 13, French Embassy First Counsellor Adelin Royer said France and other member states would work to prevent the DRC from leaving, while maintaining that France had not yet taken sides in the election.

In an interview with Africa24, Mushikiwabo, who is seeking a third four-year term, has also expressed surprise at the possibility of the DRC leaving the organisation.

“In any case, I would be very surprised. Congo is too great a country to throw tantrums,” she said.

The election is scheduled for November 16 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. For the first time, each member country will cast one vote, replacing the previous practice of seeking consensus on the appointment.