Jean beats African lobby to lead La Francophonie
In a well-timed dovetailing of political promotion, personal ambition, and international aid, former governor-general Michaëlle Jean has been named the new head of la Francophonie.
The appointment was announced Sunday at the conclusion of the 15th Francophonie Summit in Dakar, Senegal, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper present to praise the decision even as he promoted his African out-reach agenda of maternal and child health. Jean, who actively campaigned for the post of secretary general — with the backing of the Canadian government — fended off challenges from four other candidates. The 57-year-old replaces Abdou Diouf, who held the post for 10 years.
Jean, who spoke frequently on the plight of female victims of violence when she was governor general, quickly proclaimed her intention to help la Francophonie gain “new relevance” with a focus on such issues as women’s emancipation and children’s rights as well the promotion of democracy and economic betterment.
The 57-member organization, which includes Canada and the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, which have their own status within the organization, has been mired in tension in recent years with some African members unhappy at how it is, in their view, dominated by non-African countries such as France.
“One of the most ambitious and daring objectives that la Francophonie has ever set for itself is the idea of an economic Francophonie,” Jean said after her selection. “We need to work together, unite our efforts, especially as countries want growth, prosperity and development.”
Jean’s appointment was immediately lauded by the federal and provincial governments that supported her candidacy.
“I am especially pleased that … la Francophonie has elected a Canadian woman as its head,” said Harper. “Ms. Jean is the ideal person to promote French and the values of the organization. She will embody the renewal and modernity that la Francophonie of the 21st century needs,” Harper said.
“We are confident that she will fervently and passionately defend not only the French language and culture, but also respect for the shared values of peace, democracy and human rights that have solidified the belonging of each nation in la Francophonie,” said Gov.-General David Johnston.
Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard characterized Jean as “the incarnation of this new vision of la Francophonie: modern, young and dynamic,” while New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant described her as a “consensus builder who can represent the interests of francophones around the world.”
Jean, a former Radio-Canada reporter whose family emigrated to Canada from Haiti in the 1960s, was appointed governor-general in 2005 by then-prime minister Paul Martin, serving until 2010. Since then she’s been appointed to the chancellorship of the University of Ottawa and served as a UNESCO special envoy in Haiti.
During her tenure as governor general, Jean’s relationship with the Conservative government was sometimes controver- sial. In 2008, when the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Québécois threatened to bring down the Conservatives’ minority government six weeks after an election and seek to form their own government, Jean met with Harper and, after nearly three hours of deliberation, accepted his advice to prorogue parliament until late January 2009.
Her decision blocked the opposition’s non-confidence vote and, as well, allowed her to avoid making a politically difficult choice between asking the opposition coalition to form a government or call another federal election so soon after the previous one.
Five years later, Jean had Harper’s active support in her campaign for the Francophonie post. Late last week, the Prime Minister’s Office acknowledged the government was covering about $55,000 in Jean’s travel costs as she campaigned with visits to several countries.
Harper and Jean were also photographed handing out vitamins or giving a vaccination at local health clinics during their visit to Dakar. The images were obviously intended to bolster Jean’s campaign, but they also clearly served Harper’s longtime interest in helping to improve the health of women and children in developing countries.
In a summit speech that echoed Jean’s own concerns, the prime minister urged countries in la Francophonie to abandon customs that allow child marriages and forced unions.
“When girls cannot achieve their full potential, everyone suffers: the girls, their children, their communities and their countries,” Harper said, announcing that Canada will contribute $150 million over five years to this cause.
Helping to better the health of mothers and children is the “top international-development priority” for the Conservative government, he said during his clinic visit.
Some observers described Jean’s appointment as a win-win for all involved. Jean gets a job she coveted, Harper promotes a cause in which he believes, and Canada’s international reputation enjoys a polish.
“I think we have to congratulate Mr. Harper,” said Simon Brault, chief executive officer for the Canada Council on the Arts, who has known and worked with Jean for many years. “He was very active (in promoting Jean’s candidacy) and it was clearly a wise move.”
Not only will Jean do well by la Francophonie,” Brault said, “she has the stature and moral authority that’s needed to help la Francophonie reinvent itself,” but “Canada is gaining a unique voice on the international stage.”