“Every architectural work sparks controversies – look at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.”

The BBC reports on protests as the Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade inaugurated his blasphemous idolatrous potentially personally lucrative 49m (160ft) bronze ‘Monument of African Renaissance’, costing $27million (£18million) and built by North Korean workers. Followed by a familiar distraction tactic.

In his address, Mr Wade solemnly declared that Senegal was formally assuming sovereignty over military bases that since decolonisation in 1960 have continued to house French army and air force personnel. The announcement appeared designed to boost national pride in a country that sees itself as shaking off the last vestiges of colonialism. In fact, France and Senegal reached an amicable agreement last February under which most of the 1,200 French military personnel based in Senegal would leave this year.

And a reminder of the background of the “designer” of the monument

[Abdoulaye Wade] studied [on a scholarship] at the lycée Condorcet in France. College at Besançon, France -doctorate in law and economics. Met his wife Viviane Vert there. Worked as a barrister in Besançon before returning to Senegal where he opened his own law firm and began teaching courses at the University of Dakar.

Subsequent professorial activities include econometrics research at Boston University, lecturing in the faculties of law and economics at Paris II, and consulting for the Organization of African Unity and the African Development Bank. Member of the Stockholm-based International Academy of Comparative Law. Awarded the French Legion of Honor.

We are reader supported. Donate to keep Slugger lit!

For over 20 years, Slugger has been an independent place for debate and new ideas. We have published over 40,000 posts and over one and a half million comments on the site. Each month we have over 70,000 readers. All this we have accomplished with only volunteers we have never had any paid staff.

Slugger does not receive any funding, and we respect our readers, so we will never run intrusive ads or sponsored posts. Instead, we are reader-supported. Help us keep Slugger independent by becoming a friend of Slugger. While we run a tight ship and no one gets paid to write, we need money to help us cover our costs.

If you like what we do, we are asking you to consider giving a monthly donation of any amount, or you can give a one-off donation. Any amount is appreciated.