Jean loses Francophonie post

YEREVAN, Armenia — Without even her home country supporting her, Michaëlle Jean failed in her bid for a second term as secretary general of la Francophonie Friday as members chose Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo.

Three days after his government withdrew its support for Jean, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insisted the move was not part of a deal to advance Canada’s bid for a United Nations Security Council seat in 2020.

“We supported the Rwandan candidate when it was clear that there was a consensus on the part of the African countries, and therefore of la Francophonie,” Trudeau told a news conference as the two-day Francophonie summit closed in the Armenian capital. He praised Jean for her “excellent work” as secretary general.

Mushikiwabo had the backing of France and many African Union countries going into the summit. But in a final attempt to sway the 54 voting members Thursday, Jean warned that rights and democracy shouldn’t take a back seat to partisan ambitions.

Jean, a former governor general of Canada, had been dogged by stories of excessive spending and questionable expenses during her mandate.

Mushikiwabo did not name Jean in her acceptance speech, but she said “each bill spent is important” and no expense should be taken lightly.