Behind the Commonwealth's allure as it welcomes Gabon and Togo into its ranks.
As two former French colonies in Africa join the Commonwealth, regional analyst Paul Melly considers the allure of the English-speaking club.
The fact that they have opted to join the Commonwealth suggests that they see the organisation as a useful network of diplomatic and cultural influence, and for exercising "soft power" on the world stage.UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in Rwanda for three days for the recent Commonwealth summit So joining the world's largest anglophone bloc is likely be popular among many young Togolese and Gabonese.
It actually claims 88 member states and governments - including Rwanda, whose former Foreign Minister Louis Mushikiwabo is its secretary general. Its regional offices for West and central Africa are in fact hosted by Togo and Gabon, and it too is growing. Nor should one forget the significant development of the small but still influential Community of Portuguese Language Countries - most of whose members are African.But all three groupings - the CPLP, the Francophonie and the Commonwealth - face the delicate challenge of how to promote good governance, democracy and human rights - an issue with which the African Union and some of the continent's regional blocs, notably the Economic Community of West African States , are also wrestling.
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