PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
New Secretary-General of La Francophonie Mushikiwabo takes office
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Former Rwandan Foreign minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, on Thursday officially took office as secretary-general of the world community of French-speaking countries, also known as La Francophonie, in Paris, France, an official source confirmed to PANA in Kigali.
Mushikiwabo was handed over all new responsibilities from the outgoing Secretary General, Michaelle Jean of Canada, who had occupied the position since 2014.
Mushikiwabo became only the third African to be elected secretary-general of La Francophonie after former President of Senegal, Abdou Diouf ( 2003 to 2014) and Egyptian Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1998 to 2002).
Mushikiwabo was head of communications at the African Development Bank in Tunis before Rwandan President Kagame asked her to join his government in March 2008 as Minister of Information.
She was Rwanda's Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East Africa Minister from 2009 until her election.
-0- PANA TWA/MA 3Jan2019
Mushikiwabo was handed over all new responsibilities from the outgoing Secretary General, Michaelle Jean of Canada, who had occupied the position since 2014.
Mushikiwabo became only the third African to be elected secretary-general of La Francophonie after former President of Senegal, Abdou Diouf ( 2003 to 2014) and Egyptian Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1998 to 2002).
Mushikiwabo was head of communications at the African Development Bank in Tunis before Rwandan President Kagame asked her to join his government in March 2008 as Minister of Information.
She was Rwanda's Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East Africa Minister from 2009 until her election.
-0- PANA TWA/MA 3Jan2019
