1960 – Leopold Senghor Advocates for African Socialism

On May 13, 1960, Senegalese poet and statesman Léopold Sédar Senghor delivered a speech outlining his vision for “African Socialism” during a political rally in Dakar. Senghor, who would become Senegal’s first president later that year, emphasized a model of development rooted in African values, community, and cultural identity, rather than Western capitalism or Soviet-style communism. His philosophy integrated the concept of negritude, a literary and ideological movement celebrating Black consciousness. Senghor’s call helped shape post-independence governance across Francophone Africa. Though his model faced critiques for authoritarian tendencies, his May 13 address reflected a hopeful moment when African nations were seeking to chart their own course after colonial rule. Senghor remains one of Africa’s most influential intellectuals, and this speech is a cornerstone of post-colonial political thought in the continent.