Cotonou assembly marks decisive shift as francophone civil society takes peace agenda into its own hands
The 16th ordinary plenary assembly of the Conférence des organisations internationales non gouvernementales (COING) de la Francophonie opened on 28 September 2026 in Cotonou, marking a clear turning point in how francophone civil society positions itself on peace and resilience. Over two days, civil society actors from across the French-speaking world are defining their contribution ahead of the 20th Sommet de la Francophonie, scheduled for 15-16 November in Cambodia, and setting a 2026-2028 roadmap that they intend to be binding rather than symbolic.
A decisive push to move beyond rhetorical commitments
Under the theme “Reinvesting in peace, mobilising francophone civil society for shared prosperity, resilient territories and lasting stability”, the Cotonou gathering sends a clear message: peace is not merely the absence of war. It requires social justice, access to basic services, mediation, the defence of human rights, and resilience in the face of economic and security crises. For participants, this moment represents a shift from declarations to concrete action.
Citizens demand a real seat at the decision-making table
Participants are calling for closer cooperation between states, parliamentarians and NGOs. Civil society organisations, which work closest to the ground, want to be more systematically involved in the decision-making processes of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). Their aim is to turn local recommendations into tangible public policies, rather than seeing them diluted in institutional reports.
A pragmatic 2026-2028 roadmap built for impact
The Cotonou assembly is focused on making COING more operational. Its priorities are structured around three axes:
- Consolidating networks: Structuring synergies between francophone NGOs to avoid duplication and strengthen collective voice.
- Mobilising resources: Developing strategic financial and technical partnerships to sustain actions over time.
- Tracking impact: Measuring concretely the effects of actions within communities, with clear indicators.
Benin’s role and the road to Cambodia
By hosting this session, Benin reaffirms its key role in francophone dialogue. Just weeks before the Cambodia summit, civil society gathered in Cotonou is delivering a straightforward message: the future of la Francophonie cannot be built without the active involvement of citizens and their representatives. The momentum generated here is intended to carry through to Phnom Penh and beyond.
