Strengthening Diplomatic Relations
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Morocco's Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita welcomed a high-level envoy from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Rabat on Wednesday. The envoy, Crispin Mbadu Phanzu, who serves as the Minister Delegate in charge of Francophonie and Congolese Abroad, brought a message from President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi intended for King Mohammed VI. This meeting was crucial in garnering support for the DRC's candidacy for the position of Secretary General of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF). Phanzu emphasized the strong bilateral relations between Morocco and the DRC, highlighting their shared history and cooperation.
DRC's Candidacy and Historical Ties
Accompanying Phanzu was Juliana Amato Lumumba, the DRC's candidate for the OIF leadership. Lumumba, the daughter of the famed independence leader Patrice Émery Lumumba, who was assassinated in 1960, underscored the enduring ties of solidarity and friendship that bind the two nations. She noted that her father had previously been honored by the late King Mohammed V, reflecting a deep-rooted connection between their histories. Lumumba articulated a vision for a Francophonie that prioritizes the voices and needs of the people, calling for unity, inclusivity, and respect for sovereignty among member states.
The DRC, with a population exceeding 114 million and approximately 57 million French speakers, is positioned as a vital candidate within the OIF. The country has actively sought to enhance its diplomatic relations with Morocco, evidenced by its establishment of a Consulate General in Dakhla in December 2020, a gesture recognized as reaffirming Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Lumumba's candidacy was formally presented by President Tshisekedi on March 19 and she brings a wealth of experience, having held various ministerial positions from 1997 to 2001, including that of Minister of Culture. She is also an alumnus of the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris.
In the competitive race for the OIF leadership, Lumumba faces three other candidates: the incumbent Louise Mushikiwabo from Rwanda, who is seeking a third term; Mauritania's Coumba Bâ, a former minister and presidential adviser; and Romania's Dacian Cioloș, the only non-African candidate. The election is set to take place on November 15-16 during the OIF's 20th congress in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This contest unfolds against a backdrop of regional tensions, particularly the ongoing conflict between the DRC and Rwanda, as well as the internal challenges faced by the OIF following the suspension of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. With 90 member states, the OIF's Secretary General is elected for a four-year term by heads of state and government, and the importance of the French language continues to be highlighted, as it remains one of the most spoken languages globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
