This book analyses the complex interplay of historical narratives, cultural constructs, and socio-political paradigms that perpetuate instability in Francophone Africa. Drawing on a corpus of fifteen novels, it investigates the literature’s role in shaping public discourse and influencing policy debates related to the continent’s socio-political challenges. By using interdisciplinary methodologies, including literary analysis, critical theory, historical contextualisation, postcolonial theory, Michel Foucault’s theory of power, and socio-political theory, the study traces the evolution of instability in African literary discourse over the past three decades. The book scrutinises representations of power dynamics, governance structures, identity politics, and socio-economic disparities within these texts. It explores how literary narratives both reflect and challenge prevailing perceptions of the continent. The book reveals how authors engage with historical events, colonial legacies, and national and global power dynamics, highlighting Africa’s multifaceted struggle for stability and progress. Furthermore, the study contributes to the deepening of the understanding of complex societal issues and to broader discussions on literature’s potential to catalyse social and political change. By situating literary analysis within historical, social, and political contexts, the study seeks to enrich debates on achieving lasting stability, social justice, and effective governance across the continent. Ultimately, it offers new insights into the epistemological foundations of social and political instability across the diverse francophone African nations aspiring to a promising renaissance.
