René Héctor Émile Chazal Explained

René Héctor Émile Chazal was a French colonial administrator. He served as lieutenant governor of Mauritania from 21 November 1929 to 19 June 1931.^[1] French soldier and former governor of Mauritania Henri Gaden sharply criticized Chazal's appointment, writing, "Chauzal knows nothing about Mauritania, nor the Moors, nor about any other populations of this type".^[2] While governor, Chazal imprisoned spiritual leader Yacouba Sylla, whom he considered a great threat.^[3] It is likely that Chazal was dismissed as lieutenant governor due to a pamphlet by Louis Hunkanrin that sharply criticized his approach to slavery.^[4]

References

• Book: Dilley. Roy. Nearly Native, Barely Civilized: Henri Gaden’s Journey through Colonial French West Africa (1894-1939). 2014. BRILL. 9004265287.
• Book: Hanretta. Sean. Islam and Social Change in French West Africa: History of an Emancipatory Community. 2009. Cambridge University Press. 0521899710.
• McDougall. E.A.. Setting the Story Straight: Louis Hunkanrin and "Un Forfait Colonial". History in Africa. 1989. 16. 285–310. 3171788. Cambridge University Press.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Mauritania. Rulers.org. September 30, 2016.
2. Dilley, p. 381
3. Hanretta 2009, p. 78
4. McDougall 1989, p. 293