Blaise Diagne

Blaise Diagne was a prominent Senegalese politician and a key figure in French colonial history. He was the first African elected to the French National Assembly in 1914, advocating for better rights and opportunities for Africans under French rule. Diagne worked to improve conditions in Senegal and fought against racial discrimination, while also playing a role in recruiting Africans for France's efforts in World War I. His leadership helped bridge African and French political interests, making him a significant figure in the struggle for African representation and independence in the early 20th century.