Serigne Khassime Coulbary's thesis on legal decolonization in West Africa highlights the impacts of colonial laws

Serigne Khassime Coulbary, from Sorbonne Paris Nord University, revealed how French colonial decrees profoundly affected social and economic structures in West Africa. His thesis, defended in 2023, questions the legitimacy of colonial laws and proposes avenues for legal and social decolonization, thus offering investment opportunities for actors engaged in social justice.

Serigne Khassime Coulbary's research analyzes the legal mechanisms of the French colonial empire in West Africa, highlighting how law served as a tool of domination. By examining colonial decrees and political discourses, the author raises questions about the legitimacy of colonial laws, which often undermined notions of justice and equality in favor of a racial and economic hierarchy.

Coulbary demonstrates that the expropriation of agricultural land had profound consequences on local communities, altering their social and economic structures. Lands, considered as common goods, were privatized for the benefit of European settlers, leading to a loss of cultural identity. This thesis highlights the lasting impact of colonial laws on indigenous societies.

The results of this research offer recommendations for policymakers and investors. Reevaluating colonial policies represents an investment opportunity in legal and social decolonization projects. Initiatives that integrate the rights of indigenous populations are increasingly sought after but require constructive dialogue with governments and local communities to ensure their success.

« « Colonial decrees have not only affected farmers but have also altered the social and economic structures of communities. » »

« « This thesis emphasizes the importance of accessing critical knowledge of colonial laws to inform the decisions of actors engaged in social justice in West Africa. » »