MONTREAL—The reign of former governor general Michaëlle Jean as head of la Francophonie, the global group of French-speaking states, appears to be coming to a rather inglorious ending.

After fighting off what she has called a “smear campaign” that has raised questions over the last year about her spending habits and management of the organization, Jean published an op-ed this week saying “I am ready to spring to the saddle for a second mandate” when the 84 member states and governments gather for a summit this fall in Armenia.

The letter was timed to the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron, who was attending the G7 summit in Quebec’s Charlevoix region. But the head of the country that wields the greatest influence in la Francophonie and pays the largest portion of its bills declared last month that France would throw its support behind Rwandan foreign minister Louise Mushikiwabo to replace Jean.

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