The International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) launched a fact-finding mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this Monday, at the request of Congolese authorities.
This deployment, scheduled to run until June 6, stems from a decision made by heads of state and government at the 19th Summit of La Francophonie in Villers-Cotterets in October 2024.
The mission, comprised of representatives from OIF member states, is being led by Muriel Berset Kohen, Ambassador and Personal Representative of the President of the Swiss Confederation to the Permanent Council of La Francophonie. The delegation also includes representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, and Togo.
This visit is part of the OIF’s continuous monitoring of the concerning situation in eastern DRC. Its primary aim is to support regional mediation efforts currently led by the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU). While in Kinshasa, the delegation plans to meet with government officials, civil society organizations, and international partners to gain a deeper understanding of current issues and to propose avenues for enhanced cooperation with the Francophonie. Following their time in the DRC, the mission will travel to Nairobi, Kigali, and Lomé from June 7 to 11 to engage with other key stakeholders involved in the ongoing mediation process.
Upon completion, a comprehensive report with recommendations will be submitted to the OIF. This report will guide the organization’s future engagement in the DRC and the broader Great Lakes region. This mission falls squarely within the OIF’s political mandate, as defined by the Bamako (2000) and Saint Boniface (2006) Declarations, and further reaffirmed by the 2024 Summit resolution advocating for peace and stability within the Francophone world.
TE/Sf/fss/abj/APA