The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has strongly reacted to a speech by Louise Mushikiwabo, the outgoing Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), at the 20th Francophonie summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In the speech, Mushikiwabo failed to mention the ongoing security crisis in eastern Congo, which has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement.
Patrick Muyaya, the Congolese government's spokesperson and Minister of Communication and Media, expressed disappointment and frustration with Mushikiwabo's speech, saying it was inexcusable that she mentioned conflicts in Lebanon and Haiti, as well as genocides in Rwanda and Cambodia, but ignored the situation in eastern Congo. Muyaya accused Mushikiwabo of deliberately avoiding any reference to the crisis in eastern Congo due to her country, Rwanda's, involvement in the conflict.
The conflict in eastern Congo has been ongoing for over 30 years, with the region experiencing significant violence and instability. The Congolese government has long accused Rwanda of supporting rebel groups in the region, including the M23, which has been responsible for numerous human rights abuses. Muyaya argued that Mushikiwabo's omission was a clear example of hypocrisy and contrary to the values of the Francophonie.
The 20th Francophonie summit is being held in a context of heightened tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, with both countries accusing each other of supporting rival groups. The summit is also seen as a critical moment in the election of a new Secretary-General of the OIF, with Mushikiwabo seeking a third term. Other candidates include Juliana Lumumba, a Congolese politician, and Dacian Cioloș, a former Romanian Prime Minister.
Muyaya called on the Francophonie summit to put an end to what he described as eight years of "disrespect" and "hypocrisy" under Mushikiwabo's leadership. He argued that the organization's values of peace, stability, and prosperity were being undermined by her actions. The Congolese government's reaction highlights the deep-seated tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, as well as the challenges facing the Francophonie in promoting peace and stability in its member states.
The Francophonie summit is a critical platform for discussing key issues affecting its member states, including peace and security, economic development, and human rights. The organization's ability to address these challenges is closely watched by its member states, who expect it to promote values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
The outcome of the summit and the election of a new Secretary-General will be closely watched by observers and member states, who expect the organization to play a more effective role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Key points
- The DRC government criticizes OIF's Louise Mushikiwabo for ignoring the eastern Congo crisis in her Francophonie summit speech.
