Columbia historian puzzled why African leaders are celebrating Bastille Day
The director of African Studies at New York’s Columbia University has expressed surprise that several heads of state and government of French-speaking African countries will participate in France’s anniversary celebrations Wednesday.
History professor Mamadou Diouf said there are reasons to believe that the African leaders want to re-open negotiations with France that began five decades ago that culminated in their independence.
“I’m not sure that I really understand why African heads of state decided to join President (Nicholas) Sarkozy to celebrate the creation of the French Republic following the French revolution in 1789. But, I’m quite sure that, for many of them, in particular the Francophone, it’s an opportunity to re-link in some way with France,” he said....
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History professor Mamadou Diouf said there are reasons to believe that the African leaders want to re-open negotiations with France that began five decades ago that culminated in their independence.
“I’m not sure that I really understand why African heads of state decided to join President (Nicholas) Sarkozy to celebrate the creation of the French Republic following the French revolution in 1789. But, I’m quite sure that, for many of them, in particular the Francophone, it’s an opportunity to re-link in some way with France,” he said....