The Institut du monde arabe (IMA) aims to be a museum of the history and culture of the Arab world, or even a little more, since this institution, unique of its kind in the West, is, whether we like it or not, often at the crossroads of diplomatic and political issues.
Located in the heart of historic Paris, she is coveted for her position as president by three candidates. It is that the current president, named in 2013 by Francois Hollande then by Emmanuel Macron in 2017Jack Lang, wants to be 83 years old, still a candidate to possibly be renewed there a fourth time.
To make it clear that he’s not ready to give up at his post, Jack Lang had slipped to a journalist who questioned him about a possible departure “When I am somewhere, I am there for eternity”. The third term or contract of Jack Lang is coming to an end in a few days and it will be necessary, on March 6, either to reconfirm him for a fourth term or to find an alternative through the other candidates who apply for this function, namely, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Francois Gouyette.
It is rumored that theformer Minister of Foreign Affairs of Emmanuel Macron, and of Defense of François Hollande, Jean-Yves Le Drian, has shown great interest in the position, and would even be favored by the Elysée. But, the former head of French diplomacy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, his main competitor who left government affairs in May 2022, after the re-election of Emmanuel Macron and the formation of the new Executive does not say a word about his intentions.
For the history of the nomination it is the President of the French Republic who proposes the name of the person who will oversee the IMA, before the “high council” of the institute, made up of ambassadors from Arab countries and French representatives, decides not to not say, confirm. That said, if Jack Lang, to whom we owe the music festival and Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is little appreciated here, has the favor of forecasts to remain fair play. But let it be said! François Gouyette has not said his last word with regard to his eprevious experience and background with regard to his career, especially the diplomatic one.
Indeed, this illustrious stranger who is not in the battalion, sails and has sailed slyly on the waves of Arab diplomacy. He has been France’s ambassador to Algeria since July 2020. He had replaced the famous Xavier Driencourt in this. Former ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, he officiated before that in the same position in Tripoli from 2008 to 2011, just before the fall of a certain Gaddafi… that is to say.
This perfect Arabic speaker, born in 1956, Commander of Ouissam Alaouite (Morocco), with a Master’s degree in public law, a higher diploma from the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (Arabic) and a translator’s diploma (Arabic-French) would have the perfect profile to be at the head of the Arab World Institute, but it must be said that he is dealing with two monsters in the certain background, to be politically correct, who are the other two attendants, Jack Lang and Jean-Yves Le Drian. We regret that in this race at the controls of the IMA, there is not a female candidate.
There has never been one since the IMA was inaugurated in 1987.
We will be fixed in a few days when President Emmanuel Macron will have made his choice on March 6.