Mushikiwabo, who is standing against incumbent Michaëlle Jean, in an interview with AFP, elaborated on how she could take La Francophonie further on the global scene, her priorities and what she thinks could be used to put forth the visibility of the French language on an international level. Below are excerpts:
{{What is La Francophonie in your opinion?
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For me, La Francophonie is a cultural environment; it is an ecosystem where, through the French language, we exchange on topics of common interest. In my opinion, an organization like this, with a variety of cultures and assets of all kinds; economic, social, political, should be much more important. It is also among my priorities to raise the status of this organization on the global scene.
{{La Francophonie is often denounced as a continuation of France’s foreign policy. Do you agree with this judgment?
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The criticism is legitimate as in the word ‘Francophonie’, there is France and there is the French language, so that’s a reality, but I think we have to distinguish France from La Francophonie. If I am not wrong, the French President Emmanuel Macron has understood that La Francophonie is more than France; it is an organization that must take into account the realities of the world today, including living in harmony with other languages.
{{How should we promote the French language?
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The promotion of the French language is its presence and its visibility. Beyond the language, the French-speaking countries and the various operators of the Francophonie, such as Heads of States should be visible on an international level. The omnipresence of English is inevitable, but it does not mean that the French language cannot put forth its advantages and its assets. I think we should have a much more proactive attitude.
{{What will be your priorities if you are elected as Secretary General of the OIF?
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The issue of youth employment is central: an organization like La Francophonie has the advantage of being able to build bridges between its member countries, and I am frustrated not to see France’s private sector adequately organized when there are so many Francophone businessmen and women, who are capable of making things happen. Youth employment automatically addresses the issue of migration, the issue of radicalization. If we could use all our energies and our relationships as an organization (…), we could make a difference.
{{What is your view on Michaëlle Jean’s record; she who has been criticized for her lifestyle?
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I’m going to answer it like this: At the OIF, there are many things that are being done today, but for me, we could do a lot more, which is why I want to introduce myself. I have plans, I have an ambition, our organization is not really where it should be, for me, transparency in management is not even an issue, I’m in the Rwandan government and for us, that’s the culture: the culture of transparency and sound management. What I can tell you is that with me at the head of the OIF, there will be transparency and there will be a good management.
{{Will the respect for human rights and the promotion of democracy, be among your priorities, while Rwanda— of which you are the Foreign Minister is criticized in these areas?
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The whole notion of democracy and human rights is not always very clear and does not precise what we mean by that.” There was a label in Rwanda on these issues of freedom, but I am very proud of the political management in Rwanda. I see what— not everyone, but the majority of Rwandans think; and they are happy with the democratic system that is there. President Paul Kagame is a president who worked hard for his country, who came at a very difficult time in the history of his country, and who is very popular.
{{Do you think La Francophonie needs to go further in denouncing autocratic regimes?
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I do not believe in lesson givers, I believe in a coaching system, where we listen, where we ask questions, where we give advice, and for me the best way to manage our mission in relation to democracy and freedoms is to stand close to the states, to give them advice, sometimes even to help them. The objective is not to give lessons, or to compare systems to each other. I believe that what we want in our Francophone space is political systems that are fair, that respect the rights and promote all citizens.
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