President Paul Biya was among the 15 orators at the 15th Summit of the Francophonie that opened in the Senegalese capital of Dakar, Saturday, November 29 where he called for solidarity among members as an important instrument to fighting insecurity, hunger and other vices affecting the World today.
The Dakar summit that witnessed the participation of 28 Heads of State, opened floodgates of new vision for the organisation, that of embracing new challenges staring it on the face. The venue of action was the Dakar International Conference Centre (CICD).
In effect, rather than simply being a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks and an instrument of cultural enhancement, the French language, the lingua franca of the Francophonie, was ferried beyond this traditional pedestal to embrace modern development challenges.
To President Paul Biya, it was occasion to remind members of OIF (Organisation of the Francophonie) that for a long time, the World has not been just; that it demands a lot of time and efforts to eradicate poverty and exclusion and that the World is dangerous and the worse such as civil war, ethnic or religious rivalry, oppression of the population can happen at any moment.
One major solution exists in the face of these enemies; solidarity and no compromise.
Holding under the theme, “Women and Youths in the Francophonie: Vectors of Peace, Actors of Development” , the Dakar summit gave the Heads of State and governments the occasion to streamline the way forward in turning the organisation into a development tool.
French President, Francois Hollade was particularly elated at this new mission. “Francophonie is a new economic frontier” where tourism, research and others will be developed, he said.
President Macky Sall on his part honoured the outgoing Secretary General, Abdou Diouf by christening the Dakar International Conference Centre, “Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre.”
Deliberations end on Sunday, November 30 where blue print resolutions are expected and a new Secretary General elected.
