Brazzaville conference

Brazzaville conference, convened by de Gaulle in the capital of the Equatorial Federation (see French Equatorial Africa). It was held from 30 January to 8 February 1944 to discuss the future of French colonies, but it had no powers to implement its conclusions. Most of the governors of French colonies outside Africa were unable, or unwilling, to attend, but those from Africa were present, as were those from Madagascar and Réunion. Félix Eboué, the governor of the Equatorial Federation, was the only black man present. De Gaulle gave the opening speech, but it was his commissioner for the colonies, René Pleven, who presided. The conference started by decreeing that eventual self-government for any of the colonies was unthinkable, but then went on to agree that the colonies must be given greater economic and social freedom, and that the indigenous populations must take a greater part in the running of their countries. This latter consensus started the movement towards independence by nearly all French colonies, a process that was mostly completed by 1962. For the Brazzaville declaration and ordinances of October 1940, see de Gaulle.