King or Knave? Felix Adende Rapontchombo and Political Survival in the Gabon Estuary

by Jeremy Rich Introduction In the late nineteenth century, the town of Libreville on the Gabon Estuary went through numerous changes as it moved from a marginal French naval base to become the capital of the rapidly expanding colony of French Congo. European officials, through a combination of force and gifts, had managed to obtain […]

The Languages of Childhood: The Discursive Construction of Childhood and Colonial Policy in French West Africa

by Lisa McNee Introduction In spite of the deceptive familiarity of the terrain, childhood, that stage of life that we are all supposed to experience, resists easy definition. Our fascination with childhood experiences has created an international boom in autobiographies and children’s literature, as well as in self-help manuals and in discourses, programs and policies concerning […]

Dim Delobsom: French Colonialism and Local Response in Upper Volta

by Michael Kevane Abstract Dim Delobsom was one of the first indigenous colonial bureaucrats in the French administration of Upper Volta . Born in 1897, he rapidly rose through the ranks of colonial administration, becoming a high-level functionary. He also served as the resident anthropologist of the dominant Mossi tribe of Upper Volta , and published […]

France’s Conflict Resolution Strategy in Côte d’Ivoire and its Ethical Implications

by Maja Bovcon Abstract This paper evaluates France’s conflict resolution strategy by taking into account Côte d’Ivoire’s internal dynamics and the wider international context over the last two decades. Contrary to the prevailing opinion, it will be argued that France, given the circumstances, has undertaken a successful conflict resolution strategy. The controversial implication of France […]

African Studies Quarterly

Tag: France