DRC: Gabon’s support for the Congolese bid to join the OIF officially welcomed

Kinshasa, August 18^th, 2026 (CPA).- The Gabonese Republic’s support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) candidacy for the International Organisation of Franco-Phony (OIF) has been hailed as a testament to the fraternal ties uniting the two countries, by the Congolese candidate, in a statement published on Tuesday on Facebook, which CPA has taken note of. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to the Gabonese Republic for its support for my candidacy for the post of General Secretary of the International Organisation of the Franco phony,” has written Julianna Lumumba on her Facebook page. “Together, our two countries can help build a Franco phony that is more ambitious, inclusive and in tune with the realities of our peoples, our young people, our cultures and our languages,” she has added. In her message of gratitude, the candidate has indicated that the Gabonese authorities’ support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s candidacy, which she is leading, reflects a shared vision of the Franco phony and a desire to further strengthen relations between the two States. According to this vision, the Franco phony must remain a space for peace, dialogue, solidarity, cultural diversity, cooperation and economic integration, serving the peoples and, in particular, the youth. The candidate has also emphasised that DRC and Gabon can, through their historical and cultural ties, contribute to the emergence of a Francophonie that is more ambitious, inclusive and better connected to the realities of its people. This dynamic should, in particular, give prominence to cultures, languages and the aspirations of young people, as well as to initiatives promoting cooperation and economic development within the Franco phony world. Gabonese support thus comes at a time when DRC intends to promote a vision of the Franco phony based on dialogue between peoples, the celebration of cultural diversity and the strengthening of solidarity amongst member States. For the candidate, this convergence of views between Kinshasa and Libreville constitutes an important foundation for bringing the Franco phony closer to the realities of its people and enabling it to respond to contemporary challenges. The gratitude expressed towards Gabon thus reinforces the fraternal nature of relations between the two countries and their shared commitment to making the Franco phony a genuine force for peace, cooperation and rapprochement between peoples.ACP/