Guinea's President Who Stood Up to France | Ahmed Sékou Touré

On 2 October 1958, Guinea became the first of France’s colonial territories in Sub-Saharan Africa to declare its independence in an act of defiance against its former colonial master.

Ahmed Sekou Toure, known as a charismatic and radical figure in Africa's post-colonial history, was the leader of the country at the time and he was driving this rebellion by the former French Colony.

However, Guinea and Sekou Toure, achieved this status of independence against the wishes of its former colonial master, France, and afterwards the nation faced an onslaught of administrative and diplomatic assault by the French which seemed to have been designed to drive the country to its knees.

The french colonial elite in Paris got so furious with Sekou Toure’s defiance, such that in an act of fury the french administration in Guinea destroyed everything in the country which represented what they called the benefits from french colonization.

After this whole fiasco, Toure would go on to rule the country of Guinea for 26 years, and his time in power and legacy divided opinions.

In this episode of African Biographics, we look at the life and legacy of Ahmed Sekou Toure, Guinea’s first president who stood up to the French, and his time in power as the leader of that country.

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Sources:

The State of Africa Since Independence by Martin Meredith (2011)

THE CHALLENGE OF GUINEAN INDEPENDENCE, 1958-1971 by Mairi Stewart MacDonald (2009)

FIGHTING TALK: THE INDEPENDENT STATES OF AFRICA ,November 1961

The historical basis of French actions in Africa

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Music:

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

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[Mane]

Thanks to him he helped my country Guiné bissau against Portugal 🇵🇹 without him he could be more difficult to to Free Guiné-Bissau 🇬🇼 from Portugal big time respect ✊🏾

[mamandingkuyateh]

I am Gambian who lived and studied under him I do know and attest that he was a great leader and strategist. It has to emphasized that just 3 years after his Heroic No the French Colonial Rule, despite international imperialist joint sabotage against him President Sekou Toure waged the Guinea Bissau Liberation struggle to independence likewise in Angola,
He really was our man
Thanks for this documentary

[LionKing-ppkh]

I saw the honorable Séku Touré when i was about 3-4 YO when he was visiting my country in 1980. I remember asking my grandma who was Séku Touré and she pointed directly towards him stating in Mandinka/Mande “ there he is -That’s Séku Touré!” I still remember that day vividly. Ialso remember the day it was announced that he has died.
May his Soul rest in Paradise 🙏🏿.

[dantelesiba]

If only Africa had more leaders like Thomas Sankara and Sekou Toure in the 60s, Africa as a continent would be far ahead of where it is now in terms of progress.

[teekotozayyorlay]

He was one of the greatest species of human kind and a believer in Africa and its liberation struggles. His stance against France was remarkable and memorable. It was clear that the French had no puppet in this conscious Pan-Africanist revolutionary. He remains an African hero who still lives in the minds of the conscious on the African continent. As a mortal being, he’s dead, but his idea lives.

[mamadoudjoumabah]

Thanks you bro I like my country guinea God bless Ghana and all African people 😍😍

[kwakubless]

Without a doubt, Ahmed Sekou Toure was one of the greatest leaders Africa has ever had.I salute him, may he rest in peace.

[officialkbkillabeats]

Great content. My country of origin. Unfortunately they failed to develop the country despite having so much bauxite. Nonetheless so much to learn

[alfrednorman]

As an African American it good to learn about our African hystory so thanks for sharing the detailed information of what happened in Guinea. I was a freshman going into my Sophmore year when your leader died in América. It seems like he did the best he could with the resources he had. The French cut off his communications so he had to improvise. He really can't be considered a Dictator because he gained freedom from his people.(Abdul Malik Muhammad)

[juniorconteh]

Africa need leaders like Ahmed Sekou Touré

[habibbah]

Toure was well intentioned for guinean and african people's development but was highjacked by France. It's significant to note no amassed personal wealth of his is discovered to this day. He gave his all to the people. May paradise be his eternal abode

[kwamenda]

He was populary known as the. Terrible Child of West Africa..He was a mandinka warrior, fearless leader.

[frederickcollins]

Magnifique! Excellent video, well paced without the fluff one gets on a lot of later videos. I am Guyanese (Anglophone) and I am 73 years old. I consider myself well-informed on history but Sekou Toure was just a name to me. I am now informed about Guinea thanks to you. I can see that Sekou-Toure was a giant, forced to govern and protect himself by extreme methods because of French vindictiveness. I see he was a fighter like Fidel Castro. It was no easy feat to keep oneself alive while targeted by the European colonialist parasites. From what we are learning about Martin Luther King - that he may have survived the bullets but for someone smothering him in hospital, the death of Sekou-Toure in an American hospital would be suspect.Great video. Keep it up.

[aminahsonko]

He’s truly an African legend and a blessing to Africa. Amongst the Lions of our African Continent.I Love The Guy ❤

[adibeng]

Well-structured video, putting forward the facts without bias. Amazing job brother!

[anthonymanderson]

He opposed french influence and I liked how he stood up.

[deangayle]

The best. Your knowledge in African leaders is the best. Well done to everyone at this channel to put this together. I learn something new every time I watcha video posted. Thank you

[mariamsesay]

I heard about him when I was little from my mum. I never new him, but I respect him for his strength. May his soul rest in peace.

[Xenia]

in 1961 I saw Sekou Toure in my home city, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Nice sunny day and people in streets welcoming Sekou Toure and speaking perfect French.

[musinguzijonath]

Like Toure faced France imperialism, we young men of Africa must come together, reorganize and demand economic independence for better Africa