DOCSLIB.ORG

Survey of the French Union and the States Placed Under The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

"**! ft DE L'EUROPE - CODICIL OF EUROPE Confidential 4 AG/WP 1 ( 50) 3 Or. Fr. PACECOM000888 COMMITTEE OF GEHERAL AFFAIRS I Working Party on Overseas Territories Survey of the Fren»h Union and the States r placed under the Protectorate of the French Republic submitted by M. MARC SCHERER Substitute to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe *f 10th Mar«»h, 1950 B.38 I. A. 239 •;.^'"«^tKi"':>'/V-"'-?'''T^ryr; -/: ' '" INDEX Page Introduction \± PART I THE PREKCH UNION (excluding Metropolitan Prance) A ~ Structure of the Prench Union, The Prench Union « • 7 Analytical Table .... VV*^I^ B - Algeria and the Overseas Departments of the French Republic. Algeria il± The Overseas Departments 20 0 - The Overseas Territories of the Prench Republic. The federated Territories: Prench West Africa 2ij. Prench Equatorial Africa 28 The non-federated Territories: Madagascar and Dependencies .... 32 The Comoro Archipelago ......... 36 Prench Somaliland 38 Prench possessions in India ,,.. 1^.0 Prench possessions in Oceania... [j.1 New Caledonia and Dependencies . [|_2 The Islands of Saint-Pierre and Mi quo Ion [j.6 Appendix: The Condominium of the New Hebrides D - The Mandated Territories. (Associated Territories) Cameroons ........0 51 Togoland « 55 r ••-. -". *'W9fl '• /.. y "T7"*'~jT>"*r'~'" • • ""*" ';irT"^r|wF»-~'--^TJSII - 3 - Page • E - Associated States. $ (Indo-China) Position of the associated States within the French Union 59 6 Position of the associated States with regard to Indo-China 61 • Internal structure of the associated States 62 |fe Economic facts £5 PART II THE STATES PLAGES UNDER THE PROTECTORATE OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC. A- Morocco 69 B - Tunisia 7!). • _ A — The following Survey, which has been prepared for the attention of the Study Group on Overseas Territories set up within the Committee on General Affairs of the Consultative Assembly, is purely documentary. It seemed to me essential to give this information in order to enable a detailed examination to be made of the problems involved in forging closer links between the European Union on the one hand, and the Prench Union and the States placed under the Proctectorate of the Prench Republic on the other - and possibly the subsequent association of these States and Territories with the European Union. The Survey is divided into two Parts: the first deals with the French Union (excluding Metropolitan Prance) and the second with the States under Prench protection ~ the preceding index, brings out their main points. It will be noticed that, for each of the "statistical reports" supplied for each State or Territory, information has been given in a set table form. Each report states briefly: (a) the legal status of the territory; (b) its political and administrative structure; (c) for the States and Territories within the Prench Union (Part I of the Survey), their method of representation in the central organs on the Union; (d) certain basic ec&nomio facts (area?.i,nd population, public services, agricultural production, mining and industrial production, budget and estimated investments, external trade). The particulars given in each case are purposely brief. I am hoping that by this brevity my colleagues will find these reports more convenient for their reference. 10th'March, 1950 - 5".r PART I • • THE FRENCH UNION (excluding Metropolitan Prance) - 6 - A - STRUCTURE OP THE FRENCH UNION «' THE FRENCH UNION (a) Fundamental Principles and definition of the French Union. Fundamental Principles; 1. The Preamble of the Constitution of 27th October 1946 lays down the principles which have always characterised French overseas policy, but in a more definite form; "France shall form a Union with the overseas peoples based on equality of rights and obligations, without distinction of race or religion." This concept of equality does not however mean that these countries are all to be completely assimilated. On the contrary, the Preamble goes on to state: "The French Union shall be composed of nations and peoples who chall pool or co-ordinate their resources and their efforta in order to develop their respective civilisations, increase their prosperity and safeguard their security." These two ideas of equality and of respect for the personality of these territories are combined under the control of France in order to promote their progress: "Loyal to its traditional mission, France under- takes to guide the peoples under its charge towards self-govern- ment and the administration of their own affairs in c. democratic way; rejecting any system of colonisation based on arbitrary- procedure, it guarantees to all equal access to public functions (7- Afrpi ( R 0 V and the individual and collective exercise of the rights and freedoms proclaimed or confirmed above." These principles are put into operation in Section VIII, which we will now examine.. Definition of the French Union 2. Under Article 60, the French Uninn is defined as follows: "The French Union consists, on the one hand, of the French Republic, comprising Metropolitan France, the Overseas Departments and Territories; and on the other, of the associated Territories and States." There is a fundamental purpose behind this stru5ture: the pooling of total resources to guarantee the defence of the whole Union, for whioh a certain directing incentive is necessary. It is for this reason that the Government of the Republic assumes the task of co-ordinating these resources and directing the policy necessary for preparing and ensuring this defence. ,'b ) Structure of the French Union The French Union having been thus defined, it is now necessary to ascertain its precise composition. The attached table will set this out e>learly (cf, page ) i) The Central Bodies $, The French Union possesses central organs to ensure cohesion. In accordance with Article 63 of the Constitution these are the Presidency, the Supreme Council and the Assembly. These three organs have differing characteristics and powers, The President of the Republic is the President of the French Union, As President of the Union, he has special powers. He represents the permanent interests of the Union, He presides over the Supreme Council. He convenes the Assembly of the French Union and closes its sessions. By reason of his role in the Government of the Republic, however, he also participates in the administration of the Union since, in accordance with Article 62, the Government of the Republic ensures the co-ordination of the means of- defence of the Union and the direction of the policy for preparing and ensuring this defence. AOAPI (50)3 The Supreme Council of fhe Union was set up under Article 65 of the Constitution, and its organisation determined by the law of 24th April, 1949. In accor- dance with the provisions of Article 65, and in development thereof, the law of 24th April provides under Article 1 that the Supreme Council> under the Chairmanship of the President of the Union, shall assist the Government of the Republic in the general administration of the Union. It is a governmental advisory .."body. It is composed of two parts, consisting on the one hand of a delegation of certain Ministers from the French Government and, on the other, of a representation from the associated States. As these States are self- governing in their domestic affairs, the law does not stipulate the number of members of this representation nor the method of their appointment. It merely refers to the special agreements concluded between France and such States. The Assembly of the French Union, the third central organ of the Union, is provided for under Article 66 of the Cons oitution. One half of its members represent Metropolitan France and the other half represent the Overseas "departements" and Territories and the associated States. Its composition and electoral system are laid down under the law of 27th O.ctober, 1946. The members representing the Metropolitan territory are elected by the Metropolitan members of the National Assembly and the Council of the Republic. The members representing the Overseas countries are elected, as the case may be, by the "D.epar to mental" Councils, the Territorial Assemblies, the Algerian Assembly, or are appointed by the associated States in accordance with their own particular methods. The Assembly of the French Union is a Consultative Assembly. It co-operates with both the legislative and executive bodies. It takes cognizance of the plans or Proposals which are submitted to it for an opinion by the National Assembly, the Government of the French Republic or the Governments of the associated States, ^t may also submit proposals to the National Assembly, to the Government and to the Supreme Council, These proposals,in order to be admissible, must relate to the legislation of the Overseas Territories. ii) The Local Bodies 4. These three central bodies of the French Union thus constitute the head of the whole administration of the Union, They can only assume their full importance - 10 - AG/WP1(50)3 if they have, under their authority, local bodies which provide the French Union with its element of diversity, enabling it to adapt itself to extremely varying situations.. We shall ex amine in turn Algeria, the Overseas "Beparte-"t ments", the Overseas Territories and the associated States, Algeria, which consists of a group of "departements", has its own particular Statute. The affairs of the S""Deps:r*eneilts"of which Algeria is comprised "are administered by three Councils, Matters of common concern are entrusted to the Algerian Assembly. The"ex-colonies" of Guadeloupe, Guiana, Martinique and Reunion became overseas "Departernents" under the law of 19th March, 1946, Their loc-.il affairs are admin- istered by "Departernents" Councils, but since they come fully under metropolitan legislation and administration subject to the exceptions contained in the law itself, the central authority exercises much more extensive control over them than elsewhere.
Recommended publications
  • “Dangerous Vagabonds”: Resistance to Slave

    “Dangerous Vagabonds”: Resistance to Slave

    “DANGEROUS VAGABONDS”: RESISTANCE TO SLAVE EMANCIPATION AND THE COLONY OF SENEGAL by Robin Aspasia Hardy A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana April 2016 ©COPYRIGHT by Robin Aspasia Hardy 2016 All Rights Reserved ii DEDICATION PAGE For my dear parents. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 Historiography and Methodology .............................................................................. 4 Sources ..................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter Overview .................................................................................................... 20 2. SENEGAL ON THE FRINGE OF EMPIRE.......................................................... 23 Senegal, Early French Presence, and Slavery ......................................................... 24 The Role of Slavery in the French Conquest of Senegal’s Interior ......................... 39 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 51 3. RACE, RESISTANCE, AND PUISSANCE ........................................................... 54 Sex, Trade and Race in Senegal ............................................................................... 55 Slave Emancipation and the Perpetuation of a Mixed-Race
  • The Biopolitics and Geopolitics of Border Enforcement in Melilla

    The Biopolitics and Geopolitics of Border Enforcement in Melilla

    The biopolitics and geopolitics of border enforcement in Melilla By: Corey Johnson and Reece Johnson Johnson, C., & Jones, R. (2018). The biopolitics and geopolitics of border enforcement in Melilla. Territory, Politics, Governance 6(1), 61-80. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622671.2016.1236746 This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Territory, Politics, Governance on 06 October 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/21622671.2016.1236746. ***© 2016 Regional Studies Association. Reprinted with permission. No further reproduction is authorized without written permission from Taylor & Francis. This version of the document is not the version of record. Figures and/or pictures may be missing from this format of the document. *** Abstract: This article uses the multiple and contradictory realities of Melilla, a pene-enclave and -exclave of Spain in North Africa, to draw out the contemporary practice of Spanish, European Union, and Moroccan immigration enforcement policies. The city is many things at once: a piece of Europe in North Africa and a symbol of Spain’s colonial history; an example of the contemporary narrative of a cosmopolitan and multicultural Europe; a place where extraterritorial and intraterritorial dynamics demonstrate territory’s continuing allure despite the security challenges and the lack of economic or strategic value; a metaphorical island of contrasting geopolitical and biopolitical practices; and a place of regional flows and cross-border cooperation between Spain, the EU, and Morocco. It is a border where the immunitary logic of sovereign territorial spaces is exposed through the biopolitical practices of the state to ‘protect’ the community from outsiders.
  • Forced Labour at the Frontier of Empires: Manipur and the French Congo”, Comparatif

    Forced Labour at the Frontier of Empires: Manipur and the French Congo”, Comparatif

    “Forced Labour at the Frontier of Empires: Manipur and the French Congo”, Comparatif. Yaruipam Muivah, Alessandro Stanziani To cite this version: Yaruipam Muivah, Alessandro Stanziani. “Forced Labour at the Frontier of Empires: Manipur and the French Congo”, Comparatif.. Comparativ, Leipzig University, 2019, 29 (3), pp.41-64. hal-02954571 HAL Id: hal-02954571 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02954571 Submitted on 1 Oct 2020 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Yaruipam Muivah, Alessandro Stanziani Forced Labour at the Frontier of Empires: Manipur and the French Congo, 1890-1914. Debates about abolition of slavery have essentially focused on two interrelated questions: 1) whether nineteenth and early twentieth century abolitions were a major breakthrough compared to previous centuries (or even millennia) in the history of humankind during which bondage had been the dominant form of labour and human condition. 2) whether they express an action specific to western bourgeoisie and liberal civilization. It is true that the number of abolitionist acts and the people concerned throughout the extended nineteenth century (1780- 1914) had no equivalent in history: 30 million Russian peasants, half a million slaves in Saint- Domingue in 1790, four million slaves in the US in 1860, another million in the Caribbean (at the moment of the abolition of 1832-40), a further million in Brazil in 1885 and 250,000 in the Spanish colonies were freed during this period.
  • Understanding French Foreign and Security Policy Towards Africa: Pragmatism Or Altruism Abdurrahim Sıradağ1

    Understanding French Foreign and Security Policy Towards Africa: Pragmatism Or Altruism Abdurrahim Sıradağ1

    Afro Eurasian Studies Journal Vol 3. Issue 1, Spring 2014 Understanding French Foreign and Security Policy towards Africa: Pragmatism or Altruism Abdurrahim Sıradağ1 Abstract France has deep economic, political and historical relations with Africa, dating back to the 17th century. Since the independence of the former colonial countries in Africa in the 1950s and 1960s, France has continued to maintain its economic and political relations with its former colonies. Importantly, France has a special strategic security partnership with the African countries. It has intervened militarily in Africa more than 50 times since 1960. France has especially continued to use its military power to strengthen its economic, political and strategic relations with Africa. For instance, it deployed its military troops in Mali in January 2013 and in the Central African Republic in December 2013. Why does France actively get involved in Africa militarily? This research will particularly uncover the main motivations behind the French foreign and security policy in Africa. Key words: Francophone Africa, France, Foreign Policy, Africa, economic interests. The Role of France in World Politics France’s international power and position has shaped its foreign and security policy towards Africa. France has been an important actor with its political and economic power in Europe and in the world. It was one of the six important founding members of the European Community after 1 International University of Sarajevo, Department of International Relations, Ilidža, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Email: [email protected] 100 the Second World War and plays a leading role in European integration. France plays a significant role in world politics through international or- ganizations.
  • CONCEPT of STATEHOOD in UNITED NATIONS PRACTICE * ROSALYN COHEN T

    CONCEPT of STATEHOOD in UNITED NATIONS PRACTICE * ROSALYN COHEN T

    1961] THE CONCEPT OF STATEHOOD IN UNITED NATIONS PRACTICE * ROSALYN COHEN t The topic of "statehood under international law" has long been a favorite with jurists. The problem of what constitutes a "state" has been extensively examined and discussed, but all too often in absolutist terms confined to drawing up lists of criteria which must be met before an entity may be deemed a "state." The very rigidity of this approach implies that the term "state" has a fixed meaning which provides an unambiguous yardstick for measuring without serious fear of error, the existence of international personality. The framework of examination being thus constricted, traditional inquiry has endeavored to meet some of its inadequacies by ancillary discussions on the possi- bility of a "dependent state" in international law, of the desirability of universality in certain organizations set up by the international com- munity, and of the rights of peoples to national self-determination. It would appear, however, that these questions, far from being ancillary, are integral to any discussion of "statehood." Even the language of the law-or perhaps especially the language of the law-contains ambiguities which are inherent in any language system, and the diffi- culties presented by this fact can only be resolved by an analysis which takes full cognizance of the contextual background. Thus, when ex- amining what is meant by the word "state," an appraisal of the com- munity interests which will be affected by the decision to interpret it in one way rather than in another is necessary. Discussions, for example, of whether a "dependent state" can exist under international law become meaningless unless there is first an examination of whether the community of nations would find it appropriate, in the light of its long range objectives, to afford the rights which follow from "state- hood" to entities fettered by restrictions which impair their independ- ence.
  • 8.. Colonialism in the Horn of Africa

    8.. Colonialism in the Horn of Africa

    UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) The state, the crisis of state institutions and refugee migration in the Horn of Africa : the cases of Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia Degu, W.A. Publication date 2002 Link to publication Citation for published version (APA): Degu, W. A. (2002). The state, the crisis of state institutions and refugee migration in the Horn of Africa : the cases of Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia. Thela Thesis. General rights It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible. UvA-DARE is a service provided by the library of the University of Amsterdam (https://dare.uva.nl) Download date:30 Sep 2021 8.. COLONIALISM IN THE HORN OF AFRICA 'Perhapss there is no other continent in the world where colonialism showed its face in suchh a cruel and brutal form as it did in Africa. Under colonialism the people of Africa sufferedd immensely.
  • Ecosystem Profile Madagascar and Indian

    Ecosystem Profile Madagascar and Indian

    ECOSYSTEM PROFILE MADAGASCAR AND INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS FINAL VERSION DECEMBER 2014 This version of the Ecosystem Profile, based on the draft approved by the Donor Council of CEPF was finalized in December 2014 to include clearer maps and correct minor errors in Chapter 12 and Annexes Page i Prepared by: Conservation International - Madagascar Under the supervision of: Pierre Carret (CEPF) With technical support from: Moore Center for Science and Oceans - Conservation International Missouri Botanical Garden And support from the Regional Advisory Committee Léon Rajaobelina, Conservation International - Madagascar Richard Hughes, WWF – Western Indian Ocean Edmond Roger, Université d‘Antananarivo, Département de Biologie et Ecologie Végétales Christopher Holmes, WCS – Wildlife Conservation Society Steve Goodman, Vahatra Will Turner, Moore Center for Science and Oceans, Conservation International Ali Mohamed Soilihi, Point focal du FEM, Comores Xavier Luc Duval, Point focal du FEM, Maurice Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, Point focal du FEM, Seychelles Edmée Ralalaharisoa, Point focal du FEM, Madagascar Vikash Tatayah, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation Nirmal Jivan Shah, Nature Seychelles Andry Ralamboson Andriamanga, Alliance Voahary Gasy Idaroussi Hamadi, CNDD- Comores Luc Gigord - Conservatoire botanique du Mascarin, Réunion Claude-Anne Gauthier, Muséum National d‘Histoire Naturelle, Paris Jean-Paul Gaudechoux, Commission de l‘Océan Indien Drafted by the Ecosystem Profiling Team: Pierre Carret (CEPF) Harison Rabarison, Nirhy Rabibisoa, Setra Andriamanaitra,
  • Byzantine Missionaries, Foreign Rulers, and Christian Narratives (Ca

    Byzantine Missionaries, Foreign Rulers, and Christian Narratives (Ca

    Conversion and Empire: Byzantine Missionaries, Foreign Rulers, and Christian Narratives (ca. 300-900) by Alexander Borislavov Angelov A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (History) in The University of Michigan 2011 Doctoral Committee: Professor John V.A. Fine, Jr., Chair Professor Emeritus H. Don Cameron Professor Paul Christopher Johnson Professor Raymond H. Van Dam Associate Professor Diane Owen Hughes © Alexander Borislavov Angelov 2011 To my mother Irina with all my love and gratitude ii Acknowledgements To put in words deepest feelings of gratitude to so many people and for so many things is to reflect on various encounters and influences. In a sense, it is to sketch out a singular narrative but of many personal “conversions.” So now, being here, I am looking back, and it all seems so clear and obvious. But, it is the historian in me that realizes best the numerous situations, emotions, and dilemmas that brought me where I am. I feel so profoundly thankful for a journey that even I, obsessed with planning, could not have fully anticipated. In a final analysis, as my dissertation grew so did I, but neither could have become better without the presence of the people or the institutions that I feel so fortunate to be able to acknowledge here. At the University of Michigan, I first thank my mentor John Fine for his tremendous academic support over the years, for his friendship always present when most needed, and for best illustrating to me how true knowledge does in fact produce better humanity.
  • Central African Republic (C.A.R.) Appears to Have Been Settled Territory of Chad

    Central African Republic (C.A.R.) Appears to Have Been Settled Territory of Chad

    Grids & Datums CENTRAL AFRI C AN REPUBLI C by Clifford J. Mugnier, C.P., C.M.S. “The Central African Republic (C.A.R.) appears to have been settled territory of Chad. Two years later the territory of Ubangi-Shari and from at least the 7th century on by overlapping empires, including the the military territory of Chad were merged into a single territory. The Kanem-Bornou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, and Dafour groups based in Lake colony of Ubangi-Shari - Chad was formed in 1906 with Chad under Chad and the Upper Nile. Later, various sultanates claimed present- a regional commander at Fort-Lamy subordinate to Ubangi-Shari. The day C.A.R., using the entire Oubangui region as a slave reservoir, from commissioner general of French Congo was raised to the status of a which slaves were traded north across the Sahara and to West Africa governor generalship in 1908; and by a decree of January 15, 1910, for export by European traders. Population migration in the 18th and the name of French Equatorial Africa was given to a federation of the 19th centuries brought new migrants into the area, including the Zande, three colonies (Gabon, Middle Congo, and Ubangi-Shari - Chad), each Banda, and M’Baka-Mandjia. In 1875 the Egyptian sultan Rabah of which had its own lieutenant governor. In 1914 Chad was detached governed Upper-Oubangui, which included present-day C.A.R.” (U.S. from the colony of Ubangi-Shari and made a separate territory; full Department of State Background Notes, 2012). colonial status was conferred on Chad in 1920.
  • Volume 1 the Start of Modern Local Government (1868 – 1880)

    Volume 1 the Start of Modern Local Government (1868 – 1880)

    Historical Development of Japanese Local Governance Vol. 1 Volume 1 The Start of Modern Local Government (1868 – 1880) Akio KAMIKO Professor School of Policy Science Ritsumeikan University Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) Institute for Comparative Studies in Local Governance (COSLOG) National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) Except where permitted by the Copyright Law for “personal use” or “quotation” purposes, no part of this booklet may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission. Any quotation from this booklet requires indication of the source. Contact Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) (The International Information Division) Sogo Hanzomon Building 1-7 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083 Japan TEL: 03-5213-1724 FAX: 03-5213-1742 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.clair.or.jp/ Institute for Comparative Studies in Local Governance (COSLOG) National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) 7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8677 Japan TEL: 03-6439-6333 FAX: 03-6439-6010 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www3.grips.ac.jp/~coslog/ Foreword The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR) and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) have been working since FY 2005 on a “Project on the overseas dissemination of information on the local governance system of Japan and its operation”. On the basis of the recognition that the dissemination to overseas countries of information on the Japanese local governance system and its operation was insufficient, the objective of this project was defined as the pursuit of comparative studies on local governance by means of compiling in foreign languages materials on the Japanese local governance system and its implementation as well as by accumulating literature and reference materials on local governance in Japan and foreign countries.
  • Vol. 22 - Comoros

    Vol. 22 - Comoros

    Marubeni Research Institute 2016/09/02 Sub -Saharan Report Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the focal regions of Global Challenge 2015. These reports are by Mr. Kenshi Tsunemine, an expatriate employee working in Johannesburg with a view across the region. Vol. 22 - Comoros June 10, 2016 It was well known that Marilyn Monroe wore Chanel No. 5 perfume when she went to bed. Did you know that Chanel No. 5’s essence (essential oils) comes from the flower called ylang-ylang, which is found in the African country of Comoros? Comoros is also where the so-called “living fossils”, a rare pre-historic species of fish called coelacanths, discovered in 1938 in South Africa after having thought to be extinct, are mostly found. So this time I would like to introduce the country of Comoros, fascinating like Marilyn Monroe and a little mysterious like the coelacanths. Table 1: Comoros Country Information The Union of the Comoros is an archipelago island nation located off the coast of East Africa east of Mozambique and northwest from Madagascar. 4 main islands make up the Comoros archipelago, Grande Comore, Moheli, Anjouan and Mayotte, with Grande Comore, Moheli, and Anjouan forming the Union of Comoros and Mayotte falling under French jurisdiction as an ‘overseas department” or region. The population of the 3 islands making up the Union of the Comoros is about 800,000, while their total land area comes to 2,236 square kilometers, about the same land size as Tokyo, which makes it quite a small country. Nominal GDP is roughly $600 million, which is second from the bottom among the 45 sub-Saharan African countries, just above Sao Tome and Principe, and its population is the 5th lowest (note 1).
  • Looters Vs. Traitors: the Muqawama (“Resistance”) Narrative, and Its Detractors, in Contemporary Mauritania Elemine Ould Mohamed Baba and Francisco Freire

    Looters Vs. Traitors: the Muqawama (“Resistance”) Narrative, and Its Detractors, in Contemporary Mauritania Elemine Ould Mohamed Baba and Francisco Freire

    Looters vs. Traitors: The Muqawama (“Resistance”) Narrative, and its Detractors, in Contemporary Mauritania Elemine Ould Mohamed Baba and Francisco Freire Abstract: Since 2012, when broadcasting licenses were granted to various private television and radio stations in Mauritania, the controversy around the Battle of Um Tounsi (and Mauritania’s colonial past more generally) has grown substantially. One of the results of this unprecedented level of media freedom has been the prop- agation of views defending the Mauritanian resistance (muqawama in Arabic) to French colonization. On the one hand, verbal and written accounts have emerged which paint certain groups and actors as French colonial power sympathizers. At the same time, various online publications have responded by seriously questioning the very existence of a structured resistance to colonization. This article, drawing pre- dominantly on local sources, highlights the importance of this controversy in study- ing the western Saharan region social model and its contemporary uses. African Studies Review, Volume 63, Number 2 (June 2020), pp. 258– 280 Elemine Ould Mohamed Baba is Professor of History and Sociolinguistics at the University of Nouakchott, Mauritania (Ph.D. University of Provence (Aix- Marseille I); Fulbright Scholar resident at Northwestern University 2012–2013), and a Senior Research Consultant at the CAPSAHARA project (ERC-2016- StG-716467). E-mail: [email protected] Francisco Freire is an Anthropologist (Ph.D. Universidade Nova de Lisboa 2009) at CRIA–NOVA FCSH (Lisbon, Portugal). He is the Principal Investigator of the European Research Council funded project CAPSAHARA: Critical Approaches to Politics, Social Activism and Islamic Militancy in the Western Saharan Region (ERC-2016-StG-716467).