Skip to main content

The Francophonie’s political weakness exposed at 19th Summit

1 min Mena Today

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. 

Francophonie Summit on Saturday in Paris © X

Francophonie Summit on Saturday in Paris © X

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.

By Stephen Aldwin 

Related

Gaza

No peace without the end of Hamas in Gaza

October 7, 2023, marked a blood-red date on Israel's calendar, and that of the Jewish people. The barbarity of Hamas and its accompanying hordes is unparalleled in the contemporary world, with its procession of violence, hatred, rapes, and massacres. 

Libya

Freedom Flotilla intercepted by Libya after at-sea migrant rescue

The so-called Freedom Flotilla, en route to Gaza on a mission of political defiance and symbolic aid, found itself unexpectedly docked — not in Palestinian waters, but in hot Libyan territory — after rescuing four migrants who jumped overboard to escape a police operation on shore.

Islam

Eid message from Jerusalem: A call for mercy, peace, and dignity

On the occasion of Eid al-Adha 2025, Dr. Rafat Husseini, Director of the Jerusalem Branch of the International Organization for Human Rights and the Defense of Freedoms, issued a heartfelt message combining spiritual reflection with a strong call for unity, justice, and social responsibility.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.