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Additional African nations withdraw from French union
(MENAFN) Burkina Faso and Mali have joined Niger in withdrawing from the International Organization of Francophone Nations (OIF), a move that reflects growing discontent with the group’s perceived bias and political influence. Burkina Faso’s government stated that the OIF had strayed from its original mission of fostering cultural and technical cooperation and had become a tool for “political manipulation.” The government added that it could no longer engage with an organization that no longer met its expectations for justice, equality, and fairness.
Earlier this week, Niger also announced its departure from the OIF without providing specific reasons. The country had suspended its cooperation with the group following its July 2023 coup, accusing the OIF of being used as a political instrument to protect French interests. Mali, which currently leads the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition formed with Burkina Faso and Niger, issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the withdrawal of the AES member states from the Francophone group.
The OIF’s stated goals include promoting the French language, supporting peace and democracy, and fostering education and development in French-speaking countries, many of which were former French colonies. However, the OIF suspended the three Sahel countries after military coups in each of them. The foreign ministries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger expressed dissatisfaction with the OIF’s selective sanctions and its failure to respect the sovereignty of these nations, particularly in light of the transitions to military-led governments.
These withdrawals are part of broader efforts by the three countries to assert their sovereignty and defend their “legitimate interests,” especially after deteriorating relations with France, which has been accused of meddling in the region’s affairs. The AES states have also pulled out of the West African bloc, ECOWAS, accusing it of serving foreign powers, particularly France.
OIF spokesperson Oria Vande Weghe expressed regret over the departures, acknowledging that the organization was caught in a larger geopolitical situation beyond its control.
Earlier this week, Niger also announced its departure from the OIF without providing specific reasons. The country had suspended its cooperation with the group following its July 2023 coup, accusing the OIF of being used as a political instrument to protect French interests. Mali, which currently leads the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition formed with Burkina Faso and Niger, issued a statement on Tuesday confirming the withdrawal of the AES member states from the Francophone group.
The OIF’s stated goals include promoting the French language, supporting peace and democracy, and fostering education and development in French-speaking countries, many of which were former French colonies. However, the OIF suspended the three Sahel countries after military coups in each of them. The foreign ministries of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger expressed dissatisfaction with the OIF’s selective sanctions and its failure to respect the sovereignty of these nations, particularly in light of the transitions to military-led governments.
These withdrawals are part of broader efforts by the three countries to assert their sovereignty and defend their “legitimate interests,” especially after deteriorating relations with France, which has been accused of meddling in the region’s affairs. The AES states have also pulled out of the West African bloc, ECOWAS, accusing it of serving foreign powers, particularly France.
OIF spokesperson Oria Vande Weghe expressed regret over the departures, acknowledging that the organization was caught in a larger geopolitical situation beyond its control.
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