Historian Achille Mbembe: Africa’s ‘rule of gerontocracy’ is coming to an end

On the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit at Strathmore University, François Picard is pleased to welcome celebrated historian and political theorist Achille Mbembe. He offers deep insight into a continent in the midst of profound psychological, sociopolitical and economic transformation. Author of The Earthly Community and one of Africa’s leading voices on postcolonial sovereignty, Mr. Mbembe argues that while institutional change is slow-moving, a seismic change is underway: “What has ended is the rule of gerontocracy, It has ended in the minds of the people. That is what matters.”