The 9th Francophonie Games will be held in Kinshasa, but the event will be marked by an absence of size. Indeed, the secretary general of the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), Louise Mushikiwabo, will not be present during this competition scheduled from July 28 to August 6. This absence is explained by the fact that the Congolese government has not officially invited the secretary general of the OIF, as well as other member states of the organization.
This decision was motivated by the security crisis between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Relations between the two countries are tense, which led the Congolese government not to invite Rwandan representatives to the Francophonie games. As a result, the Rwandan government also decided not to send its athletes and musical artists to the event.
Despite these political tensions, the organizers of the games worked hard to ensure that the event took place in the best conditions. The necessary infrastructure was finally ready, and the games village was installed at the University of Kinshasa. The President of the Republic also visited the construction sites and said he was satisfied with the progress of the work.
However, the absence of the OIF secretary general raises questions about the scope of the event. The Francophonie games are an important moment of gathering for the member countries of the Francophonie, where sporting and cultural competitions are organized. The absence of Rwandan representatives is a sign of the difficulty of relations between the two countries, but also a lack of dialogue and cooperation within the French-speaking organization.
The Francophonie games are an opportunity to highlight the cultural and sporting diversity of member countries. The absence of certain representatives can affect the atmosphere and dynamics of the event. Let us hope that despite these tensions, the Francophonie games in Kinshasa can still be an opportunity for celebration and exchange between the participating countries.