DR Congo could reassess its membership of the Francophonie
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Actualité.cd
The Congolese Minister for Foreign Affairs does not rule out reassessing DR Congo’s membership of the Francophonie if some members or the choice of the next secretary-general no longer align with its values. Asked about Rwanda’s refusal to withdraw its candidacy, she said Kinshasa will not impose its position, according to Actualite.cd.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo could reconsider its membership of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) should the stances of some members or the process for designating the next secretary-general move away from its values, Minister for Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba said at the close of a ministerial meeting of the 48th Francophonie Summit, reports Actualité.cd.
Kinshasa does not want to impose its position on other member states and intends to take its own decisions, Thérèse Kayikwamba specified. On the subject of Rwanda’s candidacy for the secretariat-general, the minister said Kigali should take responsibility for its decision if it refuses to withdraw it. She also affirmed that DR Congo must be able to verify that its commitment to international organisations remains consistent with its orientations.
The statement comes as OIF members are due to designate their next secretary-general on 16 November. DR Congo has withdrawn its candidate and now backs Dacian Cioloș in this process, after challenging the method for designating the organisation’s leader on 3 November. This comes after the divergences between Kinshasa and Kigali over the succession of Louise Mushikiwabo, the outgoing secretary-general.
