On Saturday, November 30, 2019, a study day was held in Yamoussoukro in tribute to President Auguste Denise. Organized by the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Foundation for Peace Research (FHB Foundation), this scientific meeting which brought together politicians, academics, students and civil society personalities with the notable presence of President Auguste Denise’s family celebrated. It was an opportunity to perpetuate the memory of this Ivorian statesman and companion of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. This celebration is part of an overall policy of immortalizing the former collaborators of the first President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, whose merits are not sufficiently highlighted.
The opening ceremony was punctuated by three speeches. Opening the series of speeches, Mr Wilson BEUGRÉ, representing the Mayor of the commune of Yamoussoukro, after words of welcome, welcomed the choice of Yamoussoukro for the celebration of the illustrious companion of Houphouët-Boigny through the many scientific contributions. Speaking after Mr Wilson BEUGRé, Professor Jean-Noël LOUCOU, Secretary General of the FHB Foundation, welcomed all the participants for their presence, before situating the challenge of this scientific meeting: to introduce Auguste Denise, former companion of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, and to reflect on the place of the historical figure, of the individual in history, which has been and still is subject to debate within French and world historiography. Closing the series of speeches, Me Stéphane RICHMOND, representing the Auguste Denise family, expressed his gratitude and that of his family to the FHB Foundation, and more particularly to the Secretary General of the Foundation and his collaborators, for having devoted this study day to the work of President Auguste Denise. At the end of these speeches, Mr. Marius NIANGORAN, representing the Prefect of Yamoussoukro, opened the study day.
The work was carried out in two panels which dealt with the following themes:
- Panel 1: “Auguste Denise, the politician”.
- Panel 2: “The Government of Auguste Denise facing the economic and social challenge (1957-1959)”.
14 papers were delivered as follows: 6 papers for panel 1 and 8 papers for panel 2.
This study day allowed us to understand a little more about the personality of one of the most illustrious companions of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. “Auguste Denise, the efficient politician”; “Auguste Denise, the actor of the economic and social promotion of Côte d’Ivoire”; “Auguste Denise, the discreet man with a high sense of sacrifice for the well-being of all and a devotion devoid of any spirit of revenge” are all facets of the man that the various papers have helped to discover. The Secretary General of the Foundation said about this icon: “In the pantheon of our national heroes, Auguste Denise must have the rightful place he deserves through his successful political commitment, his nationalism and patriotism, his virtues as a man of goodness and honour”.
This scientific meeting ended with the presentation of certificates of participation to all those who presented papers.
