In an interview with Boursorama, a leading source of financial and economic information in France, Mushikiwabo re-iterated her future goals for La Francophonie, where she said that she would like to see French as the language of the Internet.
Extracts of the Interview
Q: Your election as Secretary General marks the coming of an African leader, after Canada’s Michaëlle Jean, at the head of the La Francophonie (OIF). Is it unavoidable when we know that Africa holds 80% of the growth in the number of Francophones in the world?
A: Africa is a driving force of La Francophonie. It is a natural even normal that Africa is at the head of La Francophonie. That said, I am also aware that La Francophonie goes far beyond Africa. As the Secretary-General, I will do my best to make everyone feels at home in our organization.
Q: Your candidacy was strongly supported by France while you are very close to Rwandan President Paul Kagame. At the head of La Francophonie, how will you guarantee your independence?
A: I am also a professional. I work for La Francophonie. I represent La Francophonie. I will put all my energy into this organization. From now on, I am no longer the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs. Any action, any decision, any activity of La Francophonie, I will execute as the secretary general of La Francophonie.
Q: Rwanda has replaced French with English as a compulsory language at school. Is this compatible with the direction of La Francophonie?
A: Rwanda is a French-speaking country. It is also an English speaking country. It is also a Swahili-speaking country and first and foremost, we speak Kinyarwanda, our national language. We are a multilingual country and I think that the fact that the Rwandan president does not really speak French – he begins to speak French, very happily – is confused with the importance of the French language in the country. French is the foreign language most spoken by Rwandans and the importance of the French language will grow. In Rwanda, we believe very much that this coexistence of languages does not necessarily cause problems.
Q: This is what French President Emmanuel Macron defends: the defense of French in a Plurilingualism framework. Is this the future of La Francophonie?
A: The French language has no complex compared to English. But the world today is such that it is beneficial for the French to speak other languages. We go much further with several languages. We are more fortunate in employment and training with more languages. I really do not mind.
Q: What are your goals as the head of La Francophonie?
A: I would very much like to see the French language as the language of the internet. With the proportions of young people in the French-speaking world, it’s very feasible. But there is still work to be done, I do not delude myself. Digitalism can be used as an asset for employment issues. When we go through the francophone area, we hear, “La Francophonie, what is it for me?” These are legitimate questions. All that is digital concerns the youth, so I think we can combine very well the digital aspect and the interest of the youth.
Q: Critics point to a “dispersal” of OIF… Is a refocus necessary?
A: There is indeed a debate that’s needed. Criticism is legitimate: we do a lot of small things and we should refocus, bring several activities together under clear themes, well defined: the economy, the influence of language.
Q: The OIF now has 88 members, including some countries that have a distant relationship with French. Should the membership criteria be reviewed?
A: Why not? I find that the fact that many countries which have very little to do with the French language wanting to become members of La Francophonie, a sign of attractiveness, which is a very good thing. Only, I think we must also be observant of our space, our activities, and our values. We can create a system of members who have a status more or less different from the full members. But it is up to the member states to decide.
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