He was the only leader to reject France’s influence
Before Guinea’s independence, France organised a referendum to find out whether Guineans would be part of the French Union in 1958. Over 95 per cent of Guineans voted “no,” making them the only French colony to reject this membership with Toure saying “Guinea prefers poverty in freedom to riches in slavery.”
The rejection was met with stiff repercussions from France. It withdrew all forms of financial/ economic aid and recalled all of its technical and administrative officers in Guinea.
