The Francophonie’s political weakness exposed at 19th Summit

The 19th Summit of La Francophonie concluded in Paris on Saturday, revealing yet again the ineffectiveness of an organization that was originally founded with a cultural mission but has increasingly sought to play a political role. 

Despite its ambitions, the Francophonie remains politically toothless, failing to demonstrate any real influence on pressing global issues.

French President Emmanuel Macron closed the summit with expressions of solidarity for Lebanon, calling for a rapid ceasefire.

However, his remarks were strikingly one-sided, failing to mention the Hezbollah militia, widely considered responsible for the escalation of the conflict, or the destabilizing role of Iran in the region. Equally absent was any acknowledgment of the daily rocket attacks launched by Hezbollah into Israeli territory, attacks that have led to the displacement of 80,000 civilians from northern Israel over the past year.

Macron’s announcement of an upcoming conference in Paris to support Lebanon in October raised further questions about the organization’s bias. No mention of support for Israel was made, despite the clear impact the conflict has had on both sides. 

Additionally, there was no expression of compassion for the Israeli hostages who have been held captive by Hamas for over a year. This omission underscores the incoherent stance of the Francophonie, which continues to sideline Israel—a country where 25% of the population is francophone—while offering support to other nations without addressing the root causes of the conflicts they face.

Macron’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza was similarly one-sided, as it made no mention of the massacres committed by Hamas, the group responsible for igniting the latest round of violence. The absence of any expression of compassion for Israeli civilian victims or the hostages still held by Hamas further demonstrates the inconsistencies and contradictions in the political positions taken by the Francophonie.

The Francophonie’s refusal to grant Israel full membership status, despite its significant francophone population, speaks to the organization’s lack of coherence and inclusivity. For decades, Israel has been denied membership, while non-francophone countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates enjoy observer status. 

The Francophonie’s actions, or lack thereof, raise serious questions about its relevance and ability to serve as a platform for fair and balanced political discourse.