What leverage can grassroots organisations truly wield when the cameras leave and the final communiqué is filed? That is the question hanging over Cotonou as the 16th ordinary plenary assembly of the Conference of International Non-Governmental Organisations (COING) of La Francophonie opened on 28 September 2026. For two days, francophone civil society actors are gathering to hammer out their contribution ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for 15-16 November in Cambodia, and to set their 2026-2028 roadmap.

Peace that goes beyond the absence of war

Under the theme “Reinvesting in peace, mobilising francophone civil society for shared prosperity, resilient territories and lasting stability,” the meeting makes clear that peace is not merely the absence of armed conflict. It requires social justice, access to basic services, mediation, the defence of human rights and resilience in the face of economic and security shocks.

Citizens at the decision-making table

Participants are pushing for close cooperation between states, parliamentarians and NGOs. Because citizen organisations work closest to the ground, they want a stronger role in the decision-making processes of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), so that local recommendations can be turned into concrete public policies.

A pragmatic 2026-2028 roadmap

The Cotonou assembly aims to build a more operational COING. Its priorities focus on:

• Consolidating networks: structuring synergies between francophone NGOs.
• Mobilising resources: developing strategic financial and technical partnerships.
• Tracking impact: measuring the real effects of actions within communities.

Benin’s role and the road to Cambodia

By hosting this session, Benin reaffirms its key role in francophone dialogue. Weeks before the Cambodia meeting, civil society gathered in Cotonou is sending a clear message: the future of La Francophonie cannot be built without the active involvement of citizens and their representatives.

By Mariama Hamani — Analyst