LA FRANCOPHONIE: WHAT IS IT?

The Organization internationale de la Francophonie — better known as La Francophonie — represents countries and regions where French is the mother tongue or a customary language of use or where French culture is notably present. Established in 1970 as a small club of northern French-speaking nations, La Francophonie subsequently grew to a global body of 57 members and government, three associate members and 20 observers to promote cooperation in common areas of interest from culture and science to economics and the law. It is often compared — not always favourably — to the English-language Commonwealth of Nations (or the British Commonwealth, as it was once known). As The Economist pointed out in a 2012 article, in some member nations “the French language persists only for the enduring legacy of colonialism among educated élites. “Perhaps it’s time to question the purpose of La Francophonie,” the news magazine said in summarizing the summit that year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which was then wracked by war and human rights atrocities. “What really binds Canada, Congo and Cape Verde?” It’s clear from Canadian and French comments ... that there’s deep discomfort at certain relationships forced by the organization.” The challenge for La Francophonie, The Economist concluded, is “whether a union founded on nominal linguistic ties can effectively serve as something more.” Indeed, some years ago the former French colonies of Algeria and Madagascar expressed an interest in joining the Commonwealth.