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René Lemarchand Collection of African Political Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS Group 106

Scope and Content

The collection includes copies of official reports and other documents assessing political situations and events, newspapers from several countries, and copies of unpublished studies and reports. Countries covered include Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, Chad, and to a much lesser extent Gabon and Libya. Chad is the most extensively covered. The Zairian and Libyan materials are limited to newspapers. Although some material dates to the late nineteenth century, the bulk dates from 1950 to 1992. The major periods of emphasis are the emergence of independence from the 1950s through the early 1960s and increasing democratization from the late 1980s through the early 1990s. Most of the materials are in French, although some are in English and German. Several African languages are also represented.

Of special interest are colonial officers' reports from Rwanda, Burundi, and Chad on the formation of independent political parties and their leadership, ethnic conflicts, elections, and governmental policies and politics. Some of these materials are photocopies of secret and otherwise classified intelligence reports. A significant portion of the collection consists of 35 newspaper titles primarily published in Kinshasa (Léopoldville) during the period of 1990-1992 with a few examples from the pre-independence period. Included also are several examples of Chadian and Libyan papers from the late 1980s, with the contents particularly focused on events in 1986 related to the dispute over the Aouzou Strip.

Dates

  • Creation: 1874-1992
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1950-1992

Creator

Language of Materials

Most of the materials are in French, although some are in English and German. Several African languages are also represented.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Dr. René Lemarchand is a retired professor of political science from the University of Florida. He came to UF in 1963, shortly after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles. He was active in the Center for African Studies. Since retirement, he has worked for US AID (Agency for International Development, Dept. of State) out of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) as a Regional Consultant for West Africa in Governance and Democracy. He is currently Democracy and Governance advisor to USAID / Ghana.

He is well known for academic contributions to the concept of clientelism, and for his work on the genocide in Burundi. Books authored, or edited by Lemarchand include African Kingships in Perspective (1977), African Policy in Southern Africa (1978), Burundi: Ethnic Conflict and Genocide (1996), Burundi: Ethnocide as Discourse and Practice (1994), Green and the Black: Qadhifi's Policies in Africa (1964), Political Awakening in the Belgian Congo (1963), Political Clientelism in Patronage and Development (1981), Rwanda and Burundi (1970), and Selective Genocide in Burundi (1974).

Extent

7.5 Linear feet (15 boxes)

Abstract

The Lemarchand Collection includes copies of official reports and other documents assessing political situations and events, newspapers from several countries, and copies of unpublished studies and reports. Countries covered include Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, Chad, and to a much lesser extent Gabon and Libya. Chad is the most extensively covered; the Zairian and Libyan materials are limited to newspapers.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series of files: (1) the various political documents described above and newspapers, (2) documents from Chad, and (3) approximately 90 unpublished papers and reports on Africa.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Acquisition Information

The collection was acquired by the George A. Smathers Libraries by purchase from Dr. Lemarchand.

Country Index to Series 3 Folders

Burundi - 7, 11, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 39, 49, 65, 74, 80, 82
Cameroon - 12
Central African Republic - 64
Chad - 2, 4, 8, 9, 25, 26, 27, 37, 38, 40, 48, 53, 62, 67, 78, 79, 81, 86, 87
Congo - 15, 30, 50, 51, 55, 73, 75
Eritrea - 36
Ethiopia - 19
Gabon - 55
Ghana - 5
Guinea - 72
Kenya - 76, 83
Latin America - 58, 59
Libya - 87
Malawi - 29
Middle East - 31
Morocco - 10
Mozambique - 6
Niger - 16
Nigeria - 20, 56
Rwanda - 3, 17, 29, 46, 47, 63, 66, 69, 70, 74, 82
Senegal - 13
South Africa - 1
Tanzania - 41
Uganda - 32, 33, 34, 57, 60, 66, 71
USSR - 18
West Africa - 61
Zaire - 15, 29, 44, 45, 73, 77
Zambia - 52
Zimbabwe - 88

Topic Index to Series 3 Folders

civil society - 42
colonialism - 47
democracy - 11, 12, 22, 42
development - 48, 76, 86
diplomatic papers - 7, 30, 48, 64, 68
economics - 29
education - 16, 23
ethnic conflict - 1, 4, 7, 29, 33
ethnicity - 31
government documents - 13, 17, 21, 27, 28, 49, 88
international organizations - 2, 8, 9, 10, 35, 53, 78
Islam - 19, 20, 83, 84
law - 3, 62, 74
letters - 13, 14, 15, 31, 39, 63
military - 5, 6, 25, 26, 60, 63, 71, 79
notes - 15, 50, 55
UPRONA - 22, 80
Title
A Guide to the René Lemarchand Collection of African Political Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Dan Reboussin and René Lemarchand
Date
September 2011
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755