The IXth Games of La Francophonie in Kinshasa are currently the subject of particular attention, but the absence of the Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo, as well as Rwandan athletes and musical artists , brings a new element to this competition.
According to sources close to the coordination of the event and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Congolese government has chosen not to officially invite the Secretary General of the OIF as well as other member states of this organization. This decision would be motivated by the security crisis that exists between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
This absence marks a certain gap in diplomatic relations between the two countries. Indeed, it is rare to see a high-ranking political figure miss an event of such magnitude. In addition, the Rwandan government has also decided not to send its athletes and musical artists to the games of La Francophonie.
Despite these diplomatic differences, preparations for the Francophonie Games in Kinshasa have been intensive and the infrastructure is ready to host the sports competitions. The games village was installed at the University of Kinshasa and the works were supervised by the Head of State, who was satisfied with the progress of the sites.
However, this situation raises questions about the impact of the policy on sport and culture. The Games of La Francophonie are supposed to be a symbol of unity for French-speaking countries, promoting exchange and sharing between nations. But in this specific case, the tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have led to exclusions that could call into question the very nature of this event.
Let’s hope that despite the absences, the Francophonie games in Kinshasa will be able to keep their essence of celebrating diversity and friendship between French-speaking peoples. This could be an opportunity for other nations to strengthen their ties and actively participate in this competition, showing that La Francophonie transcends borders and political differences