In an international context of crises, African countries, often called upon to align themselves behind the West, “position themselves in relation to their interests” and do not engage in “sentimentalism”, believes the secretary general of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo.
The Rwandan official spoke, in an interview on Thursday November 16 with AFP, of the changes taking place on the continent and the tumultuous relations of French-speaking Africa with the former French colonizer. “When we talk about Africa today and international politics, we must not think that Africa has no interests! », underlines Ms. Mushikiwabo.
With the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022, “there was a certain incomprehension” from Western countries regarding the positioning of African countries, several of which, like Senegal, refrained from condemning Russia, recalls Ms. Mushikiwabo. “Many countries are against the invasion. But they position themselves in relation to their interests, as the West does for its part. Senegalese leaders will think of their people before blindly supporting the positioning of a nearby country like France,” underlines the head of the OIF.
As the first UN resolution after the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine was voted on on March 2, 2022, demanding an end to the Russian invasion, seventeen African countries, including South Africa , Algeria, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, abstained. Seven did not participate in the vote, including Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Morocco and Togo, illustrating the gap between the North and the countries of the “global South”.
“The question of bad governance”
In terms of relations with France, whose influence is increasingly contested in its former colonies – when relations are not execrable in the cases of Mali, Burkina Faso or Niger, led by military juntas – Ms. Mushikiwabo believes that, “yes and no”, there is “rejection”.
“There is also and above all the question of bad governance in these countries, and the feeling among young people that official France has supported these systems” and their leaders. But “the world is changing, Africa has changed a lot,” she insists. The aspirations of African youth go beyond the former colonizing power. It’s no longer just Paris that matters to these young people. They are looking for other adventures, other opportunities elsewhere.”
“There is a sort of very, very strong link with France which loosens over time. It should not be interpreted as a drama,” smiles Ms. Mushikiwabo, for whom French influence has certainly “diminished” but is “not over.”
Asked about the differential treatment reserved by her organization, which thus suspended Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea after the military coups, but not Niger nor Gabon, the general secretary retorts that it is “completely normal fact”, invoking “the context” and “the political particularities” of each country.
Approaching countries that are in crisis
In Gabon, for example, where former President Ali Bongo was overthrown at the end of August by putschists, “the transitional authorities asked the OIF to support them until the elections [scheduled for 2025]”. “When the leaders of the transition tell me “madam, we need your support, you cannot punish us for having stopped a political system that has been corrupt for years”, I can only trust them, I have confidence. Even if there are never guarantees in politics,” she emphasizes.
“I received the mandate to approach these countries which are in crisis, Mali, Burkina, Niger, Gabon… and to maintain a dialogue with them, to listen to them. Our philosophy is to do everything to improve the lives of citizens and to help these countries return to constitutionality,” she insists.
The OIF has 54 members, 7 associate members and 27 observers. According to figures from the latest 2022 report, 321 million people in the world are French-speaking, an increase of 7% compared to 2018. But this increase is mainly due to African demographics. The French language is in decline on the European continent as well as in international organizations, in favor of English.