Francophone – or French-Speaking – Africa stands for those countries on the black continent that were colonised by France. These nations have French as their national language – or as one of the national languages. As in English speaking Africa, Humanism has been making inroads in francophone countries. The ideals of free thought, secularism and separation of religion and state are now being supported openly and publicly by increasing numbers of individuals and groups. Most French speaking African countries have constitutions modelled after the secular constitution of France. Hence officially – in principle – these states are laique – that means they are secular. But in practice they are not. Most of the states have come under the heavy and overwhelming influence of organised religions, especially Christianity and Islam. The Catholic faith introduced by French missionaries wields a lot of influence in the politics of francophone states like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, Togo and Ivory Coast. In Muslim majority states like Algeria, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Islam holds sway. While in the West African state of Benin, Voodoo is the state religion. So, religion continues to dominate the public and political spheres in these countries.

Churches and mosques continue to crack and corrupt the wall separating religion and state on the continent.

The Emergence of Free Thought

In spite of the growing influence of religion, Humanist activists and groups are beginning to emerge in francophone Africa. Freethinking persons have started expressing their doubts, disbelief and dissenting views about religion and superstitions. Sceptics and rationalists are questioning religious doctrines and dogmas. Freethinkers are beginning to come out, and challenge and combat the destructive and exploitative effects of organised religions. In Cameroon, Humanists organised in 2007 the first free thought conference in French speaking Africa. This historic meeting was a forum to evaluate the challenges facing Humanists in francophone Africa. Most freethinkers in French speaking Africa have been cut off from the developments in the Humanist movement due to the language barrier. Martin Mbile leads efforts to organise free thought in Cameroon. His group, the Association of Freethinkers and Rationalists of Cameroon are planning a lot of activities. In the Democratic Republic of Congo organised Humanism has survived in spite of the civil war ravaging the country. Tim Mukendi is one of the coordinators of the group in Congo. The group has been working closely with IHEU member organisation – Center d’Action Laique (CAL). With the support of CAL, this group established a school which has served as a vehicle for the promotion of Humanism and secular values in the country. With the DRC’s history of war, ethnic strife, misrule, and corruption, the existence of this Humanist school is a signal of hope, peace, stability (Conakary) – a country with its own history of political instability and unrest, organised Humanism is making waves. Amara Conte is championing the efforts to promote Humanism. Conte focuses mainly on the youth and students who as future leaders of Africa are in dire need of Humanist awakening, cultivation and nurturing. But the republic of Mali could be a major player in organised Humanism in future if what Prof. Idriss Mariko of the University of Bamako said is anything to go by. According to Prof Mariko, the Malian constitution and academic institutions are secular. The country only needs Humanists to come and organise events so that freethinking Malians would leave the closet and engage in delivering the secular promises already enshrined in the constitution. This wind of Humanist change, hope and light is beginning to reverberate in the neighbouring country of Senegal. Humanist activists and groups are emerging. Most of them are involved in fighting superstition, and in promoting critical thinking and education. Dominantly Muslim, Senegal has no history of religious conflict. But in recently years, political Islam is beginning to rear its ugly head. If unchecked it could undermine peace and democracy in the country. This is also the case with the republics of Benin and Togo. The secular constitutions are almost paper tigers given the overwhelming influence of organised religion. In practice, Church and state are not separate. And these contrasts and contradictions are more pronounced in Benin where Voodoo is the state religion! But the national universities in Benin and Togo are receptive to Humanist ideas and philosophy, and may one day host major Humanist events. Humanist activists, secular organisations and human rights groups that are receptive and supportive of Humanist ideas exist in Gabon, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Chad. Jean Pierre Omanda, former vice president of the World Union of Freethinkers is from Gabon. And Paul Nkunzimana, a fire brand Humanist intellectual, hails from Burundi. In fact the francophone African countries have started bubbling with Humanist activism. And the time is ripe for a well coordinated Humanist network that represents and addresses the needs, visions and aspirations of freethinkers in French speaking Africa.

The IHEU Initiative

The IHEU and its member organisations – the Libre Pensee and CAL – have been supporting some Humanist and freethinking groups and individual activists in Africa. Thanks to their efforts and cooperation, some African freethinkers have been involved in the international freethinking movement. It would be good to bring all French-speaking freethinkers together, so that they, with the help of IHEU, can strengthen organised Humanism in francophone countries. And to this end, IHEU launched in 2005 the French version of its newsmagazine, Informations Humanists Internationals (IHI). This journal is meant to inform all French speaking friends of the events, programs and activities of IHEU. All French-speaking freethinkers are invited to contribute ideas, articles and reports. Let’s all work to make IHI a global voice for all francophone freethinkers everywhere. Let’s all join hands in making IHEU’s vision of establishing an effective Humanist group in every French speaking country a reality.

Leo Igwe is IHEU Director in West Africa