The announcement of the publication of The Idea of Autonomous Casamance – Possibilities and Debts morals of the colonial situation in Senegal, by Séverine Awenengo Dalberto, French researcher at the National Center for Scientific Research, provoked strong protests in the country, where the mention of this conflict remains sensitive. The Senegalese state rejects the autonomy of this southern region.
During a meeting on the night of November 1 to 2 in Ziguinchor, capital of Casamance, Ousmane Sonko, head of the Pastef list in the legislative elections of November 17, pointed the finger at the book, its author and France. The Prime Minister announced that he “will not be marketed” in Senegal.
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Karthala Editions regretted “a political exploitation of a scientific work by people who have clearly not been aware of its content”. The author stated that her work was “strictly historical” and “in no way aims to reopen fractures as some might fear.”
A subject “which concerns the Senegalese”
“If this Frenchwoman wants to write, she just has to go and write on the Corse who demands independence from France. She only has to write about New Caledonia which is demanding its independence, but she does not have to write about Senegal,” he protested. “This book will not be allowed in Senegal, will not be marketed in Senegal,” he continued, warning against “a destabilization project” on a subject “which concerns the Senegalese”.
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“If France wants to give us archives, it has not than to give us the archives of her summary executions in Senegal during colonization, of the wars she led here, of the tortures she carried out, of forced labor, that’s what we expect from France, that she us gives the archives of Thiaroye 44, but not archives on the alleged autonomy of Casamance,” insisted the Prime Minister.
To read: “Thiaroye 44”: the documentary on the massacre committed by France in Senegal exclusively
The Alliance for the Republic, the party in power until the presidential last March, had also protested in a press release against the publication of a work which “calls into question the achievements” on peace in Casamance and is “dangerous” for the unit nationale.
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(With AFP)
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