We are pleased to share that Professor Walner Osna has published an essay in Gazette Universitaire titled “Achille Mbembe et la critique postcoloniale.”
In this essay, Osna examines the complex relationship between Achille Mbembe and postcolonial theory: how Mbembe, despite rejecting the label “postcolonial” (and also distancing himself from “decolonial” discourse), remains deeply engaged in a dialogue with those perspectives.
Why It’s Important
- Osna’s essay helps deepen understanding of Mbembe’s thought—not by labeling him strictly, but by exploring the tensions and ambiguities in how he situates himself with respect to existing theoretical frameworks.
- It brings into sharper relief how historical memory, political power, and violence are interwoven in colonial and postcolonial contexts.
- It highlights Haiti’s centrality—often overlooked—in conversations about postcolonial and decolonial theory.
We encourage anyone interested in postcolonial studies, African philosophy, Caribbean theory, or political thought to read this essay. Osna’s reflections invite us not only to engage with Mbembe’s work, but to reconsider how labels like “postcolonial” and “decolonial” are used—both in academic contexts and public debates.
🔗 Full article: Gazette Universitaire — Achille Mbembe et la critique postcoloniale(seulement disponible en français)