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The 16th Plenary Assembly of the Coing in Cotonou: Francophone civil society mobilizes for the 20th Summit Published on 29 September 2026 by Christ-loisele (3 min read)
The Conference of International Non-Governmental Organizations (Coing) of the Francophonie opened its 16th Plenary Assembly in Cotonou on September 28, 2026. The goal: to prepare contributions for the 20th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Cambodia, under the theme of peace and shared prosperity.
A structured framework to strengthen the influence of civil society
The 16th Plenary Assembly of the Coing, held every two years according to the Francophonie Charter, opened at the Novotel in Cotonou with the central mission of preparing contributions from Francophone civil society for the 20th Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled in Cambodia in November 2026. According to Matin Libre , this meeting is part of a dynamic aimed at integrating non-state actors more into the decisions of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). Claude Musavyi, president of the Coing, emphasized during the opening that civil society is no longer merely consulted but has become an indispensable partner of the OIF, as confirmed by a representative of its Secretary-General.
Civil society is no longer merely consulted by the Francophonie; it has become an indispensable partner in its actions.
Illustration: Lawing Tech An ambitious theme: peace, resilience, and shared prosperity
The chosen theme for this edition, 'Reinvesting in Peace, Mobilizing Francophone Civil Society for Shared Prosperity, Resilient Territories, and Lasting Stability,' reflects the current priorities of the Francophonie. Delegates, gathered for two days of thematic workshops, discuss concrete issues such as development, cooperation, democracy, and solidarity, according to Guinée Mining . Franck Armel Afoukou, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Benin, reminded attendees that peace cannot be taken for granted and must be built and maintained daily , a view shared by the speakers.
What this means here: implications for Beninese and West African actors
For businesses and administrations in Benin and West Africa, this Assembly could strengthen dialogue channels between civil society and Francophone institutions. Recent legal reforms in Benin, such as Law 2025-10 of July 22, 2025, on associations and Decree 2025-575 of September 24, 2025, could facilitate the structuring of local organizations to actively participate in these exchanges. Furthermore, the creation of six territorial development poles in Benin could provide local frameworks to test recommendations from this Assembly, particularly in matters of resilience and stability.
Public and private actors involved in cooperation projects could also benefit from this momentum to integrate citizen voices into their strategies, particularly in sectors such as governance, education, or social innovation. By valuing the role of INGOs, the Francophonie could thus serve as a lever for more inclusive partnerships in West Africa.
An opening marked by institutional alliances
The opening of the Assembly was marked by the presence of key figures, including Ambassador Désiré Nyaruhirira, special advisor to the Secretary-General of the Francophonie, and the President of the National Assembly of Benin, who discussed alliances between states, parliamentarians, and civil society actors. These exchanges illustrate a desire to strengthen ties between national, regional, and international levels, as highlighted by Claude Musavyi: « Peace should not be an ideal invoked but a work built within our communities. » This approach could inspire similar initiatives in other Francophone countries of West Africa.
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