United Souls on TV5 Monde as part of the "Africa in Struggle" event

Invited as part of the second edition of "Africa in Struggle," an event I organized with ART Weapon, the Haute Garonne Departmental Council as part of the Chemins de la République program, and with the support of United Souls, I had the honor of sharing the artistic and human approach of our clothing brand on TV5 Monde. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Nidhya Paliakara, the television news anchor, who gave me this valuable international exposure.

Many thanks also to the entire TV5 Monde team, and especially to Kalidou Sy, editor-in-chief of the Journal de l'Afrique, with whom I hope to collaborate soon on his artistic projects.

Organizing this edition of "Africa in Struggle" was intense and time-consuming, but so enriching! The meetings and discussions, particularly with my faithful friend, historian Amzat Boukari-Yabara, as well as sociologist and anthropologist Saskia Cousin Kouton, brought a unique depth to the discussions. I would also like to commend the professionalism of our master of ceremonies, David Crochet, director of the association Chercheurs D'Autres, whose talent enhanced the event.

While we await the video feedback on the restitution of African cultural heritage, I share here my opening speech for this #2 edition of "Africa in Struggle." Thank you all for coming in such large numbers and supporting this cause.

See you soon, and may the fight continue!

Opening speech of Africa in struggle

Hello everyone,

To begin with, on behalf of all the members of our association, I would like to express my gratitude to Departmental Council of Haute-Garonne for their invaluable support in making this evening a reality. Their commitment to equality, the fight against discrimination, social justice, and remembrance perfectly aligns with ART Weapon's mission. This partnership was essential in bringing this event to life.

We are delighted to welcome you this evening for the second edition of Africa in Struggle , organized in collaboration with the Departmental Council of Haute-Garonne. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the entire team of Paths of the Republic for their cooperation and support in this common adventure.

ART Weapon was born from a collaboration that I shared with Claire Aranguren , my partner and president of the association, who, after welcoming a new member into our family three months ago, is with us this evening in thought. I would also like to thank Margot Dubois for his valuable daily support, as well as the director and artist Madani Touré , who enriches our audiovisual media. A special tribute also goes to Boris Ndjantou , the artist behind the exhibition Ipséité , whose opening marked the launch of this new edition of Africa in Struggle .

Thanks also to the friends and volunteers who accompany us in each step of this event, and without whom this evening would not be possible. This year, the theme of the restitution and appropriation of African cultural heritage is a subject that touches me deeply. Of Ivorian origin and living in France since 1984, first in Normandy in Caen, then in Toulouse for 15 years now, I like to say that I am Ivorian-Norman in the morning and Ivorian-Occitan in the afternoon.

During my schooling in the 1980s and 1990s, neither the French National Education system nor French culture met my need for identification. Like many people of African descent of my generation, I grew up with the impression of being trapped in a kind of mask, unable to fully express my identity in France, my republic, echoing Frantz Fanon's concept of black skin, white masks. I was searching for an identity that my environment did not correspond to.

Today, as a cultural activist here in Toulouse, I am delighted to see the Departmental Council supporting spaces for reflection on memory, an essential pillar for building a plural identity, which enriches our society and is the foundation of a strong and inclusive nation. The restitution of works looted during our painful colonial past is a necessary step in moving us toward a common ideal of reparation and recognition.

These works, taken from the colonized peoples, had a much deeper function than that of simple art objects. They possessed a spiritual, mythical charge, and played a central role in communication with the divine and the worship of kings. To tear them away from their people was, in a way, to tear away a part of their soul. Thus, restore does not simply mean repatriate ; it is an act of reparation, a path to healing wounded souls.

Like the "social therapy" Advocated by Frantz Fanon, whose centenary we will celebrate in 2025, this restitution process helps to alleviate the suffering inherited from the colonial past. Thank you all for being here for this new edition of Africa in Struggle .

This evening, this “collective” therapy will begin with the screening of the film Dahomey by Mati Diop , followed by a conference-debate in the presence of the historian Amzat Boukari-Yabara , by the anthropologist Saskia Cousin Kouton , and the artist and friend Boris Ndjantou . The debate will be led by David Crochet , director of the association Chercheurs D'Autres.

Thank you.