THE SENSE OF « RECOURS A L'AUTHENTICITE » AND « RETOURS A L'AUTHENTICITE » AS APPROACHES OF DECOLONIZATION Models of Return to authenticity

Abstract

This paper examines two approaches to decolonization by two prominent leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo. One of the leaders was a clergyman and the other a state's man. They may not have been conscious that their actions and attitudes were all processes of decolonization, but our interpretations of what motivated the events by which they left indelible marks and memories in the hearts of Congolese are evidence of their passion to make their compatriots fully independent. That is why this work interrogates the sense of « recours à l'authenticité » and « retours à l'authenticité » as approaches of decolonization. It proposes models of return to authenticity and reveals the inadequacies of choosing a single approach as a valuable way of returning to authenticity.