Towards a Critique of Democracy in West Africa

This symposium explores everyday forms of democratic governance in West Africa. It examines not only contemporary modes of governance but also the pan-Africanisms and militarisms of the early postcolonial period that continue to haunt West African political imaginaries today. The papers are attentive to the times we inhabit: after the end of "FrancAfrique," at a moment when new hegemons are plundering the continent, at a time of democracy's global travails. They also remain keyed into new modes of digital and diasporic belonging. Speakers: Achille Mbembe (WITS), Felwine Sarr (Duke), Rose Ngengue (York); Gary Wilder (CUNY), Alioune Sow (Florida), Mamadou Diouf (Columbia) Discussants: Michael Hardt (Duke), Anne-Maria Makhulu (Duke), Sarah Balakrishna (Duke), Laurent Dubois (UVA) SCHEDULE 9:30-10:15 am | Keynote Achille Mbembe, WITS 10:15-12:15 pm | Speakers Mamadou Diouf, Columbia University Alioune Sow, University of Florida Gary Wilder, CUNY Felwine Sarr, Duke University Rose Ndengue, York University 12:15-12:45 pm | Lunch 12:45-1:30 pm | Discussants Michael Hardt, Duke University Laurent Dubois, University of Virginia Anne-Maria Makhulu, Duke University Sarah Balakrishnan Duke University 1:30-3:00 pm | Q&A This event is organized by the Africa Initiative at Duke University and cosponsored by the Franklin Humanities Institute.