Rwanda has secured a significant leadership position within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) following the election of Dany Vassyli Mugisha as Co-Spokesperson of the Francophone Youth Parliament, a mandate that places him at the forefront of youth advocacy across the French-speaking world.

The election took place during the 51st Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF), hosted by the Parliament of Cameroon in Yaoundé from 7 to 11 July 2026, where delegates from member parliaments gathered to deliberate on democratic governance, parliamentary cooperation, sustainable development, and youth participation in public affairs.

According to an official statement published by the Parliament of Rwanda, Dany Vassyli Mugisha will serve a two-year mandate alongside his co-spokesperson from Andorra, jointly representing the interests and aspirations of young people across the Francophone parliamentary community.

In this strategic leadership role, Mugisha will champion youth concerns before national parliaments, Heads of State, and major international media platforms, strengthening the voice of young citizens in policy dialogue and legislative processes throughout the Francophone space.

His election is widely viewed as a recognition of Rwanda’s growing commitment to youth leadership, civic engagement, and active participation in multilateral parliamentary diplomacy.

Rwanda was represented at the Yaoundé gathering by two young delegates, Dany Vassyli Mugisha and Loane Mwiza, who participated actively in the Youth Parliament’s deliberations and committee work alongside fellow young parliamentarians from across the Francophonie. Their contributions were commended as constructive and reflective of Rwanda’s continued investment in empowering young leaders on the international stage.

The APF Youth Parliament remains an important platform for nurturing the next generation of political leaders, encouraging democratic values, intercultural dialogue, and greater youth involvement in legislative decision-making. The election of a Rwandan representative to one of its highest leadership positions further underscores the increasing influence of African youth within international parliamentary institutions.

Hosted by the Parliament of Cameroon, the 51st APF Session reinforced the organisation’s commitment to inclusive parliamentary governance, with youth participation emerging as one of the defining themes of the Yaoundé meeting.