France and the Commonwealth of Nations

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Relations between the French Republic and the Commonwealth of Nations have undergone successive periods of change since the Commonwealth's creation.

The Commonwealth's predecessor, the

decolonisation, and political integration with the United Kingdom (the leading Commonwealth member) in the European Union, there has been conflict between French and Commonwealth interests, particularly in Africa. The Fashoda syndrome
has shaped French attitudes to prevent Commonwealth influence in French-speaking countries, believing their interests to be mutually-exclusive.

Despite these rivalries and dual structures, at times, it has been suggested that France join the Commonwealth. In 1956, during the

Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. His British counterpart, Anthony Eden, instead proposed that France join the Commonwealth, with Commonwealth citizenship rights and recognising the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth
. However, this was rejected by Mollet.

Francophonie

scientific research, is often considered France's equivalent of the Commonwealth of Nations.[1] However, its structure and institutions, whilst superficially being similar to the Commonwealth, are more similar to the United Nations, in relying upon majority voting, rather than consensus, as the Commonwealth does.[2]

La Francophonie also adopts a very different philosophy to the Commonwealth, particularly due to its lacking institutional ties to NGOs its equivalent of the

Commonwealth Family.[2] Nonetheless, La Francophonie spends ten times as much money per inhabitant as the Commonwealth (€0.30 cf. €0.03), reflecting France's dedication to promoting Francophonie relations.[2]

Twelve countries are full members of both La Francophonie and the Commonwealth (

2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.[3]

Before La Francophonie, since the foundation and expansion of the Commonwealth, France has created a number of political and cultural unions that have attempted to simulate its model amongst France's former colonial possessions and French-speaking countries. The French Union was created in 1946 and was succeeded by the short-lived French Community in 1958, which folded when its members gained independence.

Notes and references

  1. ^
    S2CID 145202906
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  2. ^
    S2CID 143862365
    .
  3. ^ Pflanz, Mike (29 November 2009). "Rwanda joins the Commonwealth". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
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