1945 French legislative election in French Sudan−Niger explained

Elections to the French National Assembly were held in the constituency of French SudanNiger on 21 October 1945 as part of the wider French elections. Two members were elected from two separate electoral colleges. A second round of voting was held for both colleges on 18 November as no candidate received over 50% of the vote in the first round.[1] Maurice Kaouza and Fily Dabo Sissoko were elected.

Campaign

An attempt to form a unified African bloc for the elections failed due to the number of people seeking to be candidates. Fily Dabo Sissoko became a well-known a writer, and was popular with chiefs, particularly those from animist groups.[2] He campaigned on a platform of equal pay for Africans and Europeans, the abolishment of forced labour and the emancipation of women.[3]

In the second round of the second college elections, opponents of Sissoko have their backing to Mamadou Konaté, a teacher who was well-respected amongst the local intelligentsia.[3]

Results

Second College

Aftermath

Following the elections, Senegalese MP Lamine Guèye attempted to persuade all the African MPs to form an African Bloc, which would be affiliated with the SFIO. However, the attempt failed, and Sissoko joined the MUR.[4]

Notes and References

  1. [Dolf Sternberger]
  2. [Edward Mortimer]
  3. Mortimer, p65
  4. Mortimer, p72