Hommage à Amadou Makhtar Mbow — Un témoin de l’Histoire, un guide pour l’avenir (Mamadou Sy Tounkara)
Today I must bear witness to an exceptional man, a scholar, a visionary Pan-Africanist: Amadou Makhtar Mbow.
He was not only a great public figure. For me, he was a benevolent mentor, an enlightened mind who believed in me at a decisive time in my intellectual journey.
He took me under his protective wing, generously sharing not only his knowledge, but also his humanity.
He wrote the preface to my first book in 2011, thus opening a symbolic door for me into the world of ideas and transmission.
He also granted me a filmed interview of inestimable richness, retracing with humility and lucidity the major stages of his life, his struggles and his commitments.
I had the rare honor—and I now fully appreciate its significance—of having access to his private library, a veritable intellectual treasure, which he entrusted to me in complete confidence when he was away from the country.
An intellectual standing up for Africa
Amadou Makhtar Mbow dedicated his life to the intellectual and political emancipation of Africa.
Former Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), he was one of those who believed in and defended, with courage and consistency, the idea that Africa should speak for itself and occupy its rightful place in the concert of nations.
A craftsman of the New World Information Order
He will go down in history as one of the major architects of the New World Information and Communication Order, an intellectual and political battle to ensure that voices from the South are no longer marginalized in the global circulation of information.
This vision remains of burning relevance, in an era of global digital and media imbalances.
⸻
A builder of national reforms
In Senegal, he rigorously and broadly chaired the Senegal National Conference, a key moment for listening, democratic debate and collective reflection on the profound reforms to be undertaken for a fairer, more efficient and more transparent country.
A legacy to pass on
As he is celebrated this Tuesday, October 28, 2025, we must remember that his fight was never limited to words:
• He thought and acted for a dignified and sovereign Africa,
• for fairer and more balanced information,
• for a reformed Senegal on solid and shared foundations.
This testimony is also a word of gratitude. What I received from him—his trust, his knowledge, and his example—I carry with pride and responsibility.
Let us not just celebrate his memory: let us continue his fights.
Commentaires (5)
Rendre hommage à ce grand Monsieur sans évoquer son passé Pra-Sénégal, il faut le faire. Encore une preuve manifeste que ce tounkara qui se prend pour une lumière est surtout un ignare. C'est le mec le plus niaak khorom de l'Oust africain. Ak sikimam bou moye, tchim !
un kuluna qui ose revendiquer un quelconque héritage à cette illustre personnalité du Sénégal 🇸🇳. Avec Tounkiss, on aura tout vu, décidément
Tout à fait ! Seuls des hommes sincères et Vertueux devraient rendre hommage à ce illustre grand Sénégalais, Africain et citoyen du Monde. Ya toujours des opportunistes qui savent saisir de ces genres d'événements pour écrire en dol d'exister.
Merci beaucoup Mr Tounkara pour ce rappel sur la haute stature de Mr Mbow. Les faibles d esprit ne pourront pas comprendre
Cher Antikuluna, je ne sais vraiment pas la signification de votre nominatif ou de son antonyme Kuluna mais vous devez être certainement un patriote véritable qui s'intéresse à l'histoire d son pays. De Tounkara cependant, j'aimerais savoir pourquoi parmi le trio qui dirigeait le PRA SENEGAL ( les professeurs Ly Abdoulaye, Assane Seck et Ahmadou Makhtar Mbow ), seul le premier cité quitta réellement le gouvernement de coalition formé avec Senghor tandis que Assane Seck devint ministre de l'éducation nationale et que Ahmadou Makhtar Mbow partit commander l'UNESCO ? Tounkara, explikèle ! Diaddieuff !
jaimerai bien qu on me dise ce qu il a reellement fait pour le senegal
mis a part le tintamare et le lobbyisme
un homme du systeme tout simplement
Tounkara fait vomir
Tounkara parle de tout, sait tout, tranche de tout
Il faut ajouter à son palmarès son passage désastreux au ministère de l'éducation nationale dans les années 60. Il a servi ( servilement) les options néo coloniales de senghor. Des élèves et des étudiants ont été honteusement renvoyés de l'enseignement public, d'autres ont été exclu de toute l'école sénégalaise. Et que sais-je encore
Participer à la Discussion