The 19th Francophonie Summit is over. After Villers-Cotterêts on Friday, the members of the OIF gathered this Saturday, October 5 under the nave of the Grand Palais, in Paris. State of play of the organization and round tables in the morning. Bilateral talks also concerning Africa in particular. Then a closed session in the afternoon without President Félix Tshisekedi.
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With our special correspondent at the Grand Palais, Pierre Firtion
The International Organization of Francophonie expands. Two new countries and three regions are joining the OIF. This is particularly the case of theAngolawho becomes an observer, while the Ghana for its part changes status and becomes a full member. The institution thus goes from 88 to 93 states and governments.
In detail, the other new arrivals are Chile, the German state of Saarland, Nova Scotia and French Polynesia. “ Our modernized organization has proven that it is gaining in attractiveness and influence every day. », underlined Louise Mushikiwabo during his closing speech.
But in the final resolution (pdf) At this 19th summit of La Francophonie, the first in France in 33 years, the heads of state and government discuss several crisis situations, particularly in Africa.
Regarding eastern DRC, the leaders say they strongly condemn violations of national law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country. They also condemn “ all armed groups operating in the DRC and any external support provided to these groups “.
The crisis in eastern DRC causes a mini diplomatic incident
Felix Tshisekedi nevertheless boycotted the closed session of heads of state in the afternoon, not having appreciated that Emmanuel Macron did not mention the conflict in the east of the DRC on Friday during his speech in Villers-Cotterêts, at the time where he spoke about the crises across the world. The Congolese president decided not to participate in the lunch offered by Louise Mushikiwabo, the secretary general of the OIF, either.
“ Let there be no misunderstanding. Yesterday, I said it myself, I was only fragmentary in the quotes. There are many crises, tensions, wars that I have not mentioned », Reacted this Saturday evening Emmanuel Macron at a press conference. And the French president added: “ There are no double standards in French diplomacy. »
We very clearly encourage the DRC and Rwanda to reach an agreement within the framework of Angolan mediation, and the OIF must play a role in supporting regional efforts in this regard, and I said this successively to President Tshisekedi and to President Kagame. As for France, we have always been clear and I have reiterated it to each other, nWe call for the withdrawal of the M23 and Rwandan troops. We also call for the dismantling of the FDLR and all armed groups in the DRC, and an end to hate speech.
“ We also call for a political process with the M23 and all political components to enable a path to peace and the full return of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. », concluded the French head of state.
Emmanuel Macron’s attempt to calm Tshisekedi-Kagame relations
On the sidelines of the summit in the morning, the one-on-one discussion between MM. Macron and Paul KagamePresident of Rwanda, lasted an hour. The day before, the French president had spoken in the same format with Mr. Thisekedi. Two separate meetings devoted to the situation in eastern DRC.
Emmanuel Macron maintaining good relations with both presidents. He tried, on the occasion of this summit, to use this card to encourage the continuation of the discussions initiated in the Luanda process, discussions which recently came to a halt.
The objective of the Élysée is initially to achieve “ to a meeting between the two presidents as soon as possible and under Angolan mediation », we confide at the Élysée. An idea that does not really appeal to the Rwandan authorities: “ A meeting between the two presidents, if it is for a photo, it has no interest », Explained to RFI this Saturday Olivier Nduhungirehe, the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In this deadlocked situation, it makes no sense to have a photo between two heads of state. There must be an agreement before this meeting.
The Congolese side has not yet reacted officially.
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