(Agence Ecofin) – France welcomed for the 1stera time for 33 years the Summit of the Francophonie. The opportunity to strengthen ties with Africa where it has been much criticized in recent years. Among the elements called into question by opinions in certain countries, the teaching of French.
The Francophonie Summit held in France on October 4 and 5 did not make any specific announcement in terms of measures to advance French in the world. However, the language is losing ground compared to English, the most spoken language on the planet in 2023 according to Statesman (1.456 billion speakers).
With Gabon and Togo joining the ranks of the Commonwealth in 2022 and the addition of English as an official language in these countries, French is even being challenged in its “beating heart”, a formula regularly used by the International Organization of the Francophonie to describe the importance of Africa for the sustainability of the Francophonie.
Indeed, according to the OIF, the continent could be home to up to 85% of French speakers in 2050. The Francoscope platform establishes that 50% of the 343 million French speakers counted in the world already live there. But if it is not contained, the anti-French feeling which has developed there in recent years could perhaps end up reversing the trend.
Members of the Alliance of Sahel States (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) have suspended numerous French media, one of the language relays. At the same time, the Chinese and Russian soft powers are trying to take advantage of the situation to strengthen their influence. In recent months, China has increased its media partnership agreements with Africa, while in 2023, an African association of Russian-speaking was created. Last April, just like the Republic Central African in 2021, Burkina Faso announced the introduction next Russian as the language of instruction.
These advances do not seem to unduly disturb the African leaders of the French-speaking world, reassured by reinforcements, including Angola which must join the OIF before the end of 2024.
“Ghana, very active within the Francophonie, will very likely become a full member of the organization. It is a very good thing that certain countries, African or not, are turning to other organizations. […] the mission of La Francophonie is obviously to promote the French language but in a multilingual world. We are not jihadists of the French language” said Louise Mushikiwabo (right in the photo), Secretary General of the organization in an interview with the media The Point.
However, certain signals are visible. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are suspended from the OIF, and for the 1era time in 33 years, the Senegalese president was not present at the Summit, an absence which could however be explained by internal obligations. In a few decades if no revitalization measures are taken, it could be that the French language moves away from its current trends in Africa.
Servan Ahougnon
