Francophonie summit in Phnom Penh: Asia's role in the French-speaking world's rise on the global stage

In brief

• The article is about the Francophonie summit in Phnom Penh on 15 and 16 November and the role of Asia in the organisation's international profile.
• The summit is overshadowed by a leadership dispute between the DR Congo and Rwanda over Louise Mushikiwabo's candidacy.
• Macron has urged Rwanda to withdraw its candidate, which Rwanda has rejected.

Asia as the stage for the Francophonie's global standing

Historian Chloé Phan-Labays argues in an opinion piece for Le Monde that the French-speaking community gained its international visibility in Asia rather than in Europe or Africa (Sommet de la francophonie : « C’est en Asie que l’histoire francophone s’est affirmée sur la scène internationale » – Le Monde). She says the upcoming summit should be used to restate the Francophonie as a strategic instrument for member states.

Summit dates and location

The meeting is scheduled for 15 and 16 November in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. French President Emmanuel Macron is due to arrive in Cambodia for the gathering (Diplomatie - Internationale Organisation der Frankophonie: Streit zwischen Demokratischer Republik Kongo und Ruanda – Deutschlandfunk).

Leadership dispute overshadows the meeting

The summit has been overtaken by a dispute between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda over who should lead the organisation (DR Congo, Rwanda clash over Francophonie leadership as Macron seeks compromise – France 24). Kinshasa has repeatedly opposed Rwandan politician Louise Mushikiwabo, who has held the post of secretary-general since 2019. Congolese authorities accuse Rwanda of backing a militia in the eastern part of the country.

Macron has asked Rwanda to withdraw Mushikiwabo's candidacy in favour of a compromise figure before Monday's vote. Rwanda's government has rejected the request, saying as a sovereign state it will not bow to outside pressure. Le Monde has described the Francophonie as caught up in the war in the Great Lakes region, under the heading of a gathering meant to reinvest in peace (Réunie au Cambodge pour « réinvestir dans la paix », la francophonie rattrapée par la guerre dans les Grands Lacs – Le Monde).

The organisation's reach

The International Organisation of la Francophonie says it counts around 90 member states, while France 24 reports that the organisation has 53 members. Its stated aims are to promote the French language and to strengthen political, economic and cultural cooperation among members.