The Commonwealth has admitted Rwanda as its 54th member. This is one of the few bilateral associations that I almost forgot about its existence. Of course, I don’t intend to question the pragmatic role of the Commonwealth in contemporary global society, but you will be hard-pressed to find one person who can point to some tangible benefit for any country being a part of it. In the modern era where the UN, NATO, NAFTA and ASEAN networks (the list is much longer) have to justify their existence every week, the Commonwealth have to do a lot more than hold summer games and celebrate British colonial domination. The very fact that Rwanda has gone to extreme lengths to gain admission into the international network suggests one of two things. First, that the French stronghold in Africa is gradually waning, and Francophone countries are finding the English language more useful in global society. I have no evidence of either assertion, but I have a sneaky feeling that the French language is gradually taking a backseat to English and Spanish, relative to the past century at least.
Second, that Rwanda finds the only viable way to resurrect its economy and image is by plugging into international associations, no matter how quiescent. I am not too sure how well Rwanda’s reputation post Hutu-Tutsi conflict will be restored; especially in an environment where a lack of political freedom and harassment of journalists still permeate the country’s core. Progress has been slow, and maybe there is more to this admission to the Commonwealth than you and I can think of.
Most people saw this France-Rwanda severance in the works following the accusations around the 1994 genocide. The inside story was that France supported the Hutu militias, in a conflict that massacred almost a million innocent Africans in three months. That’s another story for another day.
The idea for the Commonwealth of Nations is a noble one, a loose association of ex-British colonies and territories that it advances the economic and political aspirations of its member countries, but in a global society where countries juggle bilateral affiliations like tennis balls, how much credence can you give to the Commonwealth itself?
Just a random thought.
