Senegalese Popular Bloc

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The Senegalese Popular Bloc (in French: Bloc Populaire Sénégalais) held its constitutive congress in Dakar February 23-25 1957. BPS was the result of the merger of the Senegalese Democratic Bloc (BDS) of Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegalese Democratic Union (UDS), Casamancian Autonomous Movement (MAC) and a fraction of the Senegalese Popular Movement (MPS) led by Abdolaye Thiaw. The merger was however already in effect since August 1956.

The congress elected Senghor as its political director and Mamadou Dia as the general secretary.

On January 11 the same year BPS organized a meeting in Dakar, launching the African Convention. The Convention was intended to evolve into an all-AOF party. The launching of the Convention was preceded by failed efforts of unity between BPS and the African Democratic Rally (RDA). Senghor wanted the Convention to fill the role of a party corresponding to the Indépendents d'Outre-Mer parliamentary fraction that he belonged to.

In 1958 the African Convention and the African Socialist Movement merged to form the Party of African Regroupment (PRA). As a result of this merger BPS merged with the Senegalese section of MSA, Senegalese Party of Socialist Action (PSAS), and formed the Senegalese Progressive Union (UPS).

Source: Zuccarelli, François. La vie politique sénégalaise (1940-1988). Paris: CHEAM, 1988.

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