Paper/Proposal Title
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose: The Ongoing Decolonisation’s Mechanic inside the Franc Zone
Location
M2320
Start Date
11-2-2023 1:45 PM
End Date
11-2-2023 3:15 PM
Keywords
Colonialism, Decolonisation, Françafrique, Franc Zone, CFA Franc
Abstract
My purpose in this paper is to provide insights into the mechanics behind the statuquo ante prevailing within the franc zone even though most African countries in general and former French colonies in particular obtained their “independence” from France in the early 1960s following decades of colonisation. Such statuquo is rendered by the formula “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” loosely translated as the more it changes the more it remains the same. In the upcoming developments, l will portray the extent to which French colonialism in Africa has never stopped and was simply merged with the current economic and political structures across “former colonies” and moved underground. I will unpack the whole mechanic taking place behind the scene and in so doing, I portray the extent to which what is actually displayed for the public eye to witness has nothing to do with what lies beneath the surface.
Author/Speaker Biographical Statement(s)
Gerard Kamga is a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, Research and Postgraduate Division at the Free State Centre for Human Rights, Programme Director Research and Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Law, University of the Free State. He has a multidisciplinary background including in law, human rights, political science, critical theory, and gender analysis. He holds a Master and Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Pretoria. His current projects essentially revolve around the problem of the exception, democracy and the mechanics of violence and question the existing global, regional, and domestic systems of governance and policies as well as their effects on the human condition, social justice, human rights, and the rule of law. He is the author of various publications in these areas.
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose: The Ongoing Decolonisation’s Mechanic inside the Franc Zone
M2320
My purpose in this paper is to provide insights into the mechanics behind the statuquo ante prevailing within the franc zone even though most African countries in general and former French colonies in particular obtained their “independence” from France in the early 1960s following decades of colonisation. Such statuquo is rendered by the formula “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” loosely translated as the more it changes the more it remains the same. In the upcoming developments, l will portray the extent to which French colonialism in Africa has never stopped and was simply merged with the current economic and political structures across “former colonies” and moved underground. I will unpack the whole mechanic taking place behind the scene and in so doing, I portray the extent to which what is actually displayed for the public eye to witness has nothing to do with what lies beneath the surface.
