Macron hosts Francophone leaders in bid to boost clout

Sub: IR

Sec: Int groupings

Context:

French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to welcome leaders from many French-speaking countries for the Francophonie summit.

About Francophonie summit:

The summit aims to strengthen France’s influence among French-speaking nations, particularly in Africa.
For the first time in 33 years, the summit will be hosted by France.

L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie:

Founded in 1970, the L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (the International Organization of La Francophonie) is an institution organising relations between countries that use the French language.
The organization aims to promote the French language and foster cooperation among its 88 member states, which include 54 full members, 7 associate members, and 27 observers.
These goals are outlined in the Charter of La Francophonie, adopted at the Hanoi Summit in 1997.

Francophone Countries:

Nations where French is a significant language, either as an official language or widely spoken by the population.
The majority of Francophone countries are in Africa, including nations like Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.
It includes countries like Canda and Pacific Island Nations such as Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Diminishing French influence:

France’s influence in Africa has declined significantly due to a series of coups: Mali in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023.
These events led to the replacement of governments that were friendly to France with military juntas that have started to align with Russia.
At the same time, the ongoing crisis in Lebanon, a former French colony facing daily Israeli attacks and now a ground invasion, highlights France’s diminished influence in West Asia.