On the national level, the delayed launch of his candidacy nearly proved the saying true: “No one is a prophet in their own land.”
Knowing the Africa electoral group is generally “without consideration for human rights,” one wondered what a compatriot would do at the helm of the great institution embodying “Education, culture, science, communication, inclusion.”
But this time, it’s a question of dichotomous cultural blocs against a Cheikh Anta Diop-inspired backdrop of Negro nations and culture (From Negro Egyptian antiquity to the cultural problems of Black Africa today).
Let’s be clear:
“…two Southern candidacies crystallize a fundamental opposition: that of a reforming universalism versus a structured regional diplomacy.”
The contemporary world is witnessing an epic duel. Two cultural exceptions are staring each other down.
“The Congolese Firmin Edouard Matoko – 35 years at UNESCO – and the Egyptian Khaled El-Enany embody two visions of UNESCO’s role in a reshaping world.”
Edouard Firmin Matoko, the “African” candidate for UNESCO leadership, needs help. Facing him, the Arab world is united like the fingers of a hand around the Egyptian candidate.
The Arab League has a major, ethnocentric, Semitocentric argument: “It’s our turn to lead UNESCO.”
Implied: “In the world hierarchy, after the Westerners, it’s us Arabs.”
However, a question of common sense: “Should multilateral institutions operate by regional rotation, or by merit and project?”
A truce to Pan-Africanism?
The war for the UNESCO leadership pits the candidate from the banks of the Nile against the candidate from the banks of the Congo.
Let’s set aside our intra-regional animosities. Let’s support the Negro Nation, let’s align behind Firmin Edouard Matoko.
El-Enany is supported by his own people on the principle of “taking turns.” This makes the African candidate from the Congo Basin an outsider. Initially, Firmin Edouard Matoko was not expected for this role. “He reportedly submitted his candidacy 48 hours before the deadline.” At the opening of the mandate, Egypt was counting on Congo’s support. But the country showed its ambitions. Then, a plot twist. “Why not me too, thought the Congolese Matoko at the last minute, who has ’35 years at UNESCO’?”
The truth is that Firmin Edouard Matoko’s decision to submit his candidacy was not late:
“The final deadline for submitting candidacies was set for March 15th. The Mexican and the Congolese, both UNESCO Assistant Directors-General, submitted their candidacies on the same day: March 13th, 2025. Subsequently, all three candidates were heard and accepted on April 9th, 2025.”
The alleged support of Congo for Egypt seems imaginary.
“The Egyptian media manipulation created the false idea of a late candidacy, when in fact one should note that the Egyptian had started his