The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) is an institution based essentially on the sharing of the French language as a lever for cooperation, and aims to promote common core values such as the rule of law, democratic governance, consolidation of the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Through the mandates entrusted to it by member states and governments, notably to prevent and peacefully resolve conflicts in the French-speaking world, the OIF is also recognized as an international player contributing to peace and security. of global security.
The Secretary General, the keystone of La Francophonie, is responsible for implementing political and diplomatic action, animating and coordinating cooperation between member states and governments in order to achieve their objectives. have fixed themselves.
Indeed, as we mentioned in the previous publication, it seems to us quite suspect the sudden interest of Rwanda to claim leadership of the Francophonie, he who has always accused France of complicity in genocide and even banned the French language in education and public administration.
France’s potential support for this likely candidacy of the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs seems to us just as incomprehensible as it may seem and hardly justifiable given the current state of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Since the genocide of 1994 and the coming to power of the political authorities in Rwanda, France has made considerable efforts to re-establish dialogue with a view to renewing the broken ties with that country, but Rwanda is still reluctant to re-establish healthy diplomatic relations with it. The crisis of confidence continues, despite all the well-intentioned attempts of France.
Bilateral relations between the two countries are, if not disrespectful, obviously tense, no matter how many times the two Presidents, Emmanuel Macron and Paul Kagame, have spoken.
In any case, the Rwandan candidacy is certainly not to work to the influence of the French language, nor to promote the democratic values advocated by the OIF. On the contrary, it will have the effect of annihilating all the efforts made so far by this organization to accompany the ongoing democratic transition process in a number of countries in French-speaking Africa in particular.
On the other hand, Rwanda has been somewhat lax in acquitting its statutory contribution to the OIF in the required time for years. In 2014, for example, the Organization had to give it a 50% discount and agree on a regular payment schedule. But, despite this, the account remained unpaid for a meager contribution of 30,000 euros per year. In a recent meeting, the Committee on Arrears came back to demand that Rwanda pay its arrears for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Never mind, Rwanda, for reasons that are still unknown, is determined to take the lead of the Francophonie. And, his diplomacy is active behind the scenes both bilaterally and African to achieve this. The powerful media in the French-speaking world are being used to ensure open media coverage for Louise Mushikiwabo’s candidacy.
All in all, the underlying reasons that may explain the Rwandan regime’s sudden interest in the Francophonie are to be sought elsewhere than in the will to advance the objectives contained in the “Bamako Declaration”, reinforced by the “Declaration of St. Boniface”, two normative reference texts, one on the respect of the rules of democratic governance and the rule of law, the other on human security and the responsibility to protect.
What is wrong with Michaëlle Jean?
Under the leadership of Michaëlle Jean, the OIF is strongly committed to the impetus of both defending and promoting the French language and cultural diversity, and promoting the democratic values dear to the organization.
It will be remembered that in 2014, when she joined the campaign to become OIF director, Michaëlle Jean promised to make La Francophonie, an ever more active organization, in a world in turmoil and change. in perpetual change.
Four years later, it kept its promise, without stumbling, to raise the OIF to the place it deserves, at the heart of the multilateral system. Today, the Organization, which brings together 84 member and observer states and governments, is so attractive that the number of applications for membership continues to grow.
Michaëlle Jean has positioned the Organization on all the issues of the day: objectives of sustainable and inclusive human and economic development, climate change, migration crises, fight against terrorism, crisis prevention and management, defense of rights and freedoms support to entrepreneurship of young people and women, strengthening of policies and programs for education, technical and vocational training, digital strategy, structuring support for institution building, youth mobilization around accountability citizens and in the fight against radicalization, strategy for equality between women and men, etc.
Like it or not, the OIF has considerably intensified its efforts and continues to develop its means of action in the various fields within its mandate. And, Michaëlle Jean is calmly pursuing the implementation of substantial reforms to improve the functioning and internal management of the Organization.
Moreover, Michaëlle Jean is convinced that by adopting a concerted and better coordinated approach, in favor of peace, security, inclusive dialogue, respect for democratic processes, we will be able to obtain the best results. This is how the OIF is resolutely engaged on the ground, in synergy with its international partners, to act effectively.
Indeed, the new global realities remind us that no state, no matter how powerful, can single-handedly meet the immense challenges that await us, nor dictate its will to the world, but it requires the establishment of an order based on more effective multilateralism. Thus, instead of weakening the Francophonie by destabilizing it in its action, it would be better to recognize and invest more in its added value, by providing additional means to the extent of the legitimate ambition that it carries and which defines it. .
It goes without saying that it would be preferable for the Heads of State and Government, in their great wisdom, to be realistic in making sure not to break the momentum committed by its predecessors and accelerated by the current Secretary-General as soon as she takes office, and to renew her for a second and final term of office, in order to pursue tirelessly all these efforts that she has been able to undertake to ensure the sustainability of the actions undertaken and the programs deployed in the implementation of the ambitious roadmap entrusted to it in Dakar.
Isidore KWANDJA NGEMBO, Political scientist
