While Togo was marked by British colonization, Gabon has no historical link with the Commonwealth. But the two countries have been seeking to join the anglophone club for a decade — the Gabonese president Ali Bongo has even been trying for years to impose the teaching of English from primary school onwards.

The model of Rwanda, which has experienced strong economic growth since joining the Commonwealth in 2009, is on everyone's mind. Joining this anglophone community of 2.5 billion inhabitants does not entail trade advantages as such, but it does allow attracting new investors.

It is also for the authorities in Libreville and Lomé, long criticized for their authoritarian rule, a political recognition — the Commonwealth having conducted several missions on the ground to observe in particular the evolution of institutions.

Even if Gabon and Togo reaffirm their belonging to the francophone community, their entry into the Commonwealth is a promise of more diversified diplomatic relations. This at a time when Gabon's ties with France have been strained by legal cases concerning "ill-gotten gains", and as they strengthen with the United Kingdom, which is itself seeking new partners since Brexit.

The Togolese and Gabonese leaders will not be present in Kigali, but they will be invited after the official confirmation of their country's membership to the next Commonwealth meeting.