Born: 16 December 1921, Central African Republic
Died: 9 April 1986
Country most active: Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Also known as: NA
Andrée Madeleine Blouin, born in 1921 in colonial Ubangi-Shari (Central African Republic), emerged as a pivotal figure in the African independence movement of the 1960s. Her early life, marked by a tumultuous childhood in an orphanage and the loss of her son to discriminatory healthcare, instilled a deep passion for political action and social justice.
Blouin’s activism blossomed in French Guinea, where she joined the independence movement under Sékou Touré. Her charismatic speaking and organizational skills mobilized women and contributed to Guinea’s independence in 1958. This success propelled her to the Belgian Congo, where she rallied for independence and led the women’s wing of the nationalist party, advocating for literacy, social issues, and gender equality.
Following Congolese independence in 1960, Blouin served as Chief of Protocol to President Patrice Lumumba. However, she faced accusations of radicalism and criticism for encouraging female empowerment, leading to her sentence to death after Lumumba’s overthrow. Blouin escaped and eventually settled in Paris, continuing to support African nationalist movements until her death in 1986.
Blouin’s legacy embodies the struggles and triumphs of the African independence era. Her dedication to decolonization, women’s rights, and social justice make her a significant figure in African history, despite the challenges she faced and the complexity of her role.