The debate on the relevance of the Francophonie’s influence in the African continent resurfaced after Gabon and Togo joined the Commonwealth this year. Even more so, the efficiency of the use of French as a language of instruction in the world is put into question as it goes up against English, the lingua franca of research and education. BBC stated that ‘the development model of the Francophonie is perceived as a model of domination for the benefit of France”, adding that “it is considered less advantageous than that of the Commonwealth.” Indeed, countries like Gambia, South Africa, Pakistan, and Fiji have sought to reintegrate into the Commonwealth after their departure. On July 25th, Gabon and Togo joined the Commonwealth, effectively exiting the francophone space. This decision was taken during the Heads of State Summit at the Kigali Center.
The Gabon Republic, headed by President Ali Bongo Ondimba, made a big geopolitical turn, as it left the Francophone zone for the Anglo-Saxon one. Gabon changed its first language to English in order to become an active member of an increasingly globalized world.
The Togo Republic, with President Faure Gnassingbé, decided to leave the Francophone zone and adhere to the Commonwealth for political and economic reasons in hopes of gaining autonomy in decision-making far from French domination and fostering trade, respectively. The Togolese president strongly believes that the French policy regarding its former colonies is too restrictive, which pushes some states to turn to Russia, China, or the Commonwealth. A soft power that the United Kingdom, which is no longer a member of the European Union, has every interest in maintaining.
The idea to get out of the Francophone zone may have been an inspiration from the experience of Cameroun and Rwanda which joined the Commonwealth in 1995 and 2009, respectively. This debate goes far beyond France’s linguistic influence, but it also includes the country’s monetary domination via the Franc of the Financial Community of Africa, originally the Franc of the French Colonies in Africa. This monetary space currently comprises no more than 6 countries, among which is Chad, a country that is extremely vocal about wanting to get rid of this ex-colonial currency seeing as the use of the Franc is destroying any prospects of economic growth for these developing countries.
Africa, with 19 Member States of the Commonwealth, may see more of its states integrating this Anglo-Saxon sphere.