Senegal announced its intention on Friday to acquire former belongings of its first president at an auction in France scheduled for Saturday. The aim is to “preserve the memory and heritage” of Leopold Sedar Senghor.
President Macky Sall has directed the culture minister, in collaboration with the Senegalese embassy in Paris, to initiate “appropriate discussions” with the auction house, as communicated in a statement received by media.
The items set for auction in Caen encompass Senghor’s military jewelry and honors, along with various other objects, as indicated by the culture ministry’s statement.
The collection includes rings, bracelets, pendants, and watches.
“These lots from the estate of Leopold Sedar Senghor come from a private individual…,” the Caen auction house said on its website.
Senghor, who was a poet, writer, and professor prior to his presidency, was a staunch advocate of the “Negritude” movement, established in the 1930s alongside Aime Cesaire and Leon Gontran Damas.
He served in the French military during the Second World War and holds the distinction of being the first African to gain admission to France’s Académie Française.
Serving as the President of Senegal from 1960 to 1980, he passed away in France at the age of 95.
