CPLP: a grown-up organization, but needing to change radically

The general CPLP purposes  are perfectly understandable and are displayed on the Camões Institute website, which was created to promote the Portuguese language and is under the oversight of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These goals resulted in:

"The political-diplomatic conciliation between its member states in matters of international relations;

Cooperation, particularly in the economic, social, cultural, legal and technical-scientific fields and the implementation of promotional projects;

Promotion and Dissemination of the Portuguese Language, namely the dynamization of the International Institute of the Portuguese Language.

To these three major goals it can be added, as a priority area,  the  Citizenship and Movement of People".

CPLP currently comprises 9 members: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe and Timor-Leste. As associated observers, we have Georgia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Japan, Mauritius, Senegal, Turkey, Namibia and Uruguay.

At the next meeting between heads of state and government, we will also have to attend the admission of 5 new members as associated observers, all of them European, whose application processes are already concluded - United Kingdom, France, Luxembourg, Italy and Andorra. Chile and Serbia have also applied for membership, but their admission is not planned for now.

It should also be noted that the Organization of Ibero-American States (OIE) will most like be admitted, thus defining a good framework for future cooperation between the two organizations and, consequently, extending the CPLP's scope is a must.

This time, the main theme, which has been very prominent, mainly due to the mass migration to Europe from North Africa is mobility between Portuguese-speaking countries. The free movement of people and goods is not a new problem and over the years the best way to solve this general concern has been debated, since there are states with limitations because they belong to different regions. Hence, in this sensitive subject, some measures have already been taken, nevertheless, developments were made in a very  cautious and step by step process.

First, we had the removal of visas for diplomatic and special service passports. The CPLP later promoted the facilitation of visas for students, and through bilateral agreements, several countries have abolished visas among themselves. However, at the multilateral level, some member countries consider imperative to promote a new development by providing visas for entrepreneurs, cultural agents and researchers, among other professional classes.

The starting point for this discussion is based on a joint proposal from Portugal and Cape Verde (which will take over the presidency), which focuses on the facilitation of residence permits. In the case of Portugal, it is essential that it takes the lead in this matter, since its migratory issues are obvious  (lately with special emphasis on Brazil and Angola). 

In fact, it seems this summit will confirm confirm the Portuguese ambassador Francisco Ribeiro Teles as the organization's new executive secretary for the 2019-2020 biennium, replacing the current secretary, Maria do Carmo Silveira. Throughout her mandate, she has regretted the several limitations  the CPLP has been presenting and  often being unable to act in a concerted and authoritative way on a number of issues, in part due to one of the principles of non-interference in matters of each state.

In addition, the Executive Secretary also enhances that members belonging to disparate  and patchy geographical regions and to different regional organizations are often constrained to give a concerted opinion and take action.

Yet,  that's not even the biggest issue. Recently, an example of complete inaction, or "just looking away", was the political crisis in Guinea Bissau. The Portuguese-speaking states could and should have been more involved in this and other political and social affairs. In fact, the main character in Guinea-Bissau eventually was  the sub-regional organization ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), which even applied sanctions to several Guinean politicians.

Another situation that is the subject of much criticism has been the admission of Equatorial Guinea as a full member of the CPLP in 2014. This country, although it has designated Portuguese as an official language, she isn't spoken in any part of the terretory. More seriously, however, the organization is colluding to a totalitarian regime, led by President Teodoro Obiang (the oldest African leader since 1979), a regime which is known for the constant violations of human rights and for not  abolishing  the death penalty yet.

One has also to qualify as shameful the spelling agreement that was sponsored by the CPLP. In that case, cooperation seems to have worked. But unfortunately, in our opinion., this agreement, which aims to standardize the Portuguese language, ends up "murdering" the singularity of each country. It is fundamental to respect the cultures and customs of the Portuguese-speaking peoples.

We are exasperating for a change of attitude. An institutional reform is mandatory, if we don't want to watch this organization languishing and getting a mildew smell!

Contrary to similar institutions like the Commonwealth or the Francophonie,  CPLP doesn't have the figure of suspension or even expulsion of  Member States. This is only valid for observers.

Therefore, thee CPLP must be more active, and take stronger positions. The general goals are quite clear, however, in pursuing such objectives, they don't seem to be a priority, or are simply ignored and disrespected.

Given the current context, we believe that  it is time to change the CPLP's statutes in a radical and effective way, so that she does not become another eager organization.

Miguel Verde