Games of La Francophonie: the secretary general of the OIF, Louise Mushikiwabo, will not be present in Kinshasa
The next Games of La Francophonie, which will be held in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), will be deprived of the presence of the Secretary General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo. Indeed, according to her spokesperson, Ms. Mushikiwabo will not be able to attend the event due to the absence of a formal invitation from the Congolese government.
Relations between the DRC and Rwanda, Mrs. Mushikiwabo’s country of origin, have been strained for several years. Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting the M23 rebellion, which has caused major unrest in eastern DRC. Although Congolese officials claimed that Ms. Mushikiwabo was expected to co-host the games, the absence of the official invitation prompted the general secretary to cancel her participation.
Ms. Mushikiwabo’s spokeswoman stressed that this decision does not call into question the importance of the games and of French-speaking youth, which are at the heart of the concerns of the OIF Secretary General. She also indicated that Ms. Mushikiwabo will be represented in Kinshasa by the administrator of the OIF, Caroline St-Hilaire.
Despite this incident, the Francophonie Games will continue to be organized in the Congolese capital and will highlight the cultural and sporting diversity of French-speaking countries. This event, eagerly awaited by Francophone youth, is an opportunity to celebrate solidarity and the Francophone spirit, despite the political differences between the participating countries.
It is regrettable to note that political tensions have an impact on international events such as the Games of La Francophonie. It is essential that French-speaking countries can overcome their differences and continue to promote cooperation and cultural exchange within La Francophonie.
The absence of the OIF secretary general in Kinshasa also raises questions about the DRC’s ability to ensure a transparent and inclusive organization of the games. It is important that the Congolese government be diligent in its relations with the various actors involved in this major event.
In conclusion, despite the absence of the Secretary General of the OIF, the Games of La Francophonie will continue to be a moment of celebration and sharing for French-speaking countries. Hopefully, this situation serves as a reminder to participating countries of the importance of cooperation and diplomacy as part of their engagement with La Francophonie