Gabon is considering switching to the use of english language following Rwanda’s success.
Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nzesai, the spokesperson of Gabon presidency says President Ali Bongo will visit Rwanda from Friday to Saturday to study at first hand its experience with bilingualism.
Bongo’s visit will take place a week before the Francophonie summit in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 12, which French President Francois Hollande will attend.
Gabon’s President Ali Bongo wants to boost the use of English in his country, a former colony of France where French is widely spoken.
Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nzesai said “Gabon wants to look closely at Rwanda’s experience with the introduction of bilingualism,”
“Rwanda used to be a French-speaking country and part of the Francophonie (French-speaking international community),” he said. “Today it is part of two communities: the Francophonie and the Commonwealth.”
Gabon is one of France’s closest African allies and a privileged channel for France’s influence on the continent however, Gabon plans to introduce English.
The vast majority of Gabon’s 1.5 million people speak French.
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