I read this book in about 12 hours not because it was an easy read, but because it was so hard to put down. I doubt if Forsyth or Le Carre could've written such a story with so much political intrigue. In addition as someone who reads feminist literature, the story of Africa's "black pasionaria" had so many insights into the gender issues of Africa that it became irresistible.
Let me start from the beginning. Born to a Frenchman (Pierre Gerbillat) and his child-bride Josephine of the Banziri people, Andree's fate was destined to be that of all metisee of that generation. Thrown into a catholic orphanage by her father (her mother had no right or say in her fate), she shows early signs of rebellion, but torture, guilt and irrational fear of God all in the form of the nuns has the better of her. Despite the torments suffered by her soul and spirit, she escapes from being coerced into a marriage and sets off to become independent. Her complicated relationship with both her parents also lays the ground for some of the most beautiful and poignant descriptions of African culture.
But as fate had it, despite her resoluteness to not become a concubine, she becomes exactly that - a mistress to a Belgian, Roger Serruys whom she meets on a boat on the Congo. Her first love, and her heart triumps over her mind and she settles down with him into an existence where she had his love, but not the respect or recognition of society. Their inherent difference in attitudes towards the child laborers and prisoners of Belgian Congo drives a chasm between the two. She then moves on to her next relationship with Charles Greutz a die-hard racist but his saving grace was that he cared for her and for her child Rita (Roger's). Needing the stability, she gets into the relationship and is a silent witness to the racist treatment Charles metes out even to her mom.
When Rene, her son through Charles is denied quinine for his malaria, Andree comes face to face with the absolute cruelty of the colonial regime. Her son was 3/4th white, but that was not enough to get him a Quinine card and he succumbs to malaria. This tragedy showed her how far the colonial scorn could possibly go. Deciding that Africa was no longer safe for Rita, she accepts Charles' proposal of marriage and the ticket to Europe where she would meet her future husband Andre - her first, real, relationship not hampered by the colonial legacy.
With her personal life in order, her travel to Siguri in Guinea and contact with the RDA and their charismatic leader Sekou Toure put her on the political path. She had two clear focus areas 1) African unity 2) improving the plight of African women and bringing them into the political fold. With these as her mantra she played a pivotal role in the birth of the DRC, and the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. This also led to close political involvement and friendships with leaders like Lumumba, Gizenga, and Boganda. Her campaign to bring the Congolese women into the political arena and the crucial role she played in carrying the protocol (hidden in her chignon!) that would procliam Lumumba as the President of the Congo despite the Belgian authorities' schemes were nothing short of absolute courage and political astuteness. She also had the uncanny ability to reach out to people who didn't necessarily share her vision, all for the sake of African Unity. Unfortunately Lumumba was betrayed and the birthing pains of the Congo due to the unpreparedness to take over from the Colonial regime and ethnic differences are still plaguing the region.
Anyone who has any idea about Africa understands the huge injustice done to that Continent as a result of brutal colonialism. Now on top of that imagine being a woman under Colonization- that's a double whammy. If being a colored woman is complicated enough add to that the disadvantage of being a child of interracial "marriage" with a father who fails to recognize you - that is where Andree began, at the very bottom of the social pecking order. Finding dignity in her life and her situation, and struggling for her family led her to finding dignity for Africa and joining her countrymen in their struggles. Truly a great life of an extraordinary woman. In her own words "I carry my Africa within me, wherever I go. In my home, Africa finds her own"... and through her words, I got a glimpse of Africa as I never had before!
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