In the poignant words of Eve Blouin, “I know that you can die twice. First comes physical death… to be forgotten is a second death.” This sentiment underscores the importance of keeping historical narratives alive.
Eve’s mother, the late Andrée Blouin, dedicated her life to the struggle for a free Africa during the 1950s and 60s. She mobilized women in the Democratic Republic of Congo against colonial oppression and became a key adviser to Patrice Lumumba, the country’s first prime minister.
Despite her significant contributions, Blouin’s story remains largely untold. To address this, her memoir, titled *My Country, Africa: Autobiography of the Black Pasionaria*, is being re-released after decades out of print.
In the memoir, Blouin reveals that her passion for decolonization was fueled by deep personal tragedy. Growing up in the colonial territories of Central African Republic and Congo-Brazzaville, she experienced firsthand the injustices that plagued her homeland.
A pivotal moment came in the 1940s when her two-year-old son, René, died from malaria after being denied medical treatment due to his mixed-race heritage. Blouin stated, “The death of my son politicized me as nothing else could,” a turning point that ignited her commitment to the liberation movement.
Born in 1921 to a French father and a mother from the CAR, Blouin’s early life was marked by separation and hardship. Her father placed her in a convent for mixed-race girls, a common practice for children born to colonialists, highlighting the systemic racism embedded within the colonial framework.
Blouin’s experience in the orphanage was fraught with abuse, but her resilience shone through as she escaped at the age of 15. She went on to marry twice, and following her son’s death, she moved to Guinea during a critical period of political change.
In 1958, she became an active participant in the Guinean independence movement, travelling throughout the country to rally support against colonial rule. Her efforts contributed to Guinea’s successful independence, allowing her to gain influence within pan-African circles.
Blouin quickly established herself as a formidable figure in the independence movement, working closely with key leaders like Lumumba. As his chief of protocol and speechwriter, she was integral to shaping the early narratives of newly independent Congo.
Tragedy struck when Lumumba was assassinated within months of taking office, a moment that left Blouin in deep despair. This event marked a sad chapter in the continent’s struggle for sovereignty and autonomy.
Despite facing exile, Blouin never wavered in her commitment to the cause. She maintained her involvement in African liberation efforts throughout her life, penning articles and participating in discussions about the future of the continent.
Blouin’s reflections on African leadership and independence movements revealed a complex relationship between hope and disappointment. She lamented how the selfishness of some leaders ultimately hindered the continent’s progress towards true freedom.
Andrée Blouin passed away in Paris on April 9, 1986, leaving behind a rich legacy often overlooked in historical accounts. Her memoir’s re-release arrives at a time when there is a renewed interest in empowering women’s narratives in African history.
As *My Country, Africa* hits shelves, readers will discover the inspiring journey of a woman who transitioned from being marginalized by colonial systems to becoming a strong advocate for millions of black Africans.
