CRG Seminar: La Françafrique: Neo-Colonialism with French Characteristics
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La Françafrique is not a policy. Rather, it is an idea, a way of understanding the post-colonial relationship between Africa and France. In my book I explore the past, present and future of this idea, and provide a rigorous analysis through newly declassified archival material of five critical cases which have shaped it. Despite the many valid criticisms of the Françafrique idea, including a history of methodological problems and poor research practices, this idea nevertheless still has latent potential as an explicit conceptual lens.
Through this lens, it is possible to re-contextualise the nature of African foreign policy ties with France in the 1960s as one element of a wider integration of newly independent African states into global networks of diplomatic relationships and institutions.
This seminar is given by Joe Gazeley and organised by the Collaborative Research Group Africa in the world.
This event will take place in person in Leiden. For registrants who cannot travel to Leiden, a link to an online platform will be sent before the start of the event.
Image credit: Hurst publishers
Speaker
Joe Gazeley is an F.R.S.-FNRS postdoctoral researcher at the Université libre de Bruxelles. His work explores the relationship between Africa and France through the lens of foreign policy.
He previously taught French and African history at the University of St Andrews and holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh.
Date, time and location
27 May 2026
13.30 - 15.00
Herta Mohr Building / Faculty of Humanities, Witte Singel 27a, 2311 BG Leiden
Room 0.31
Registration
Posted on 18 May 2026, last modified on 18 May 2026