The African Novel and Insecurity in Africa In The 21st Century

Abstract

If Literature aims at educating, conscientising and arousing national consciousness among other functions, then the novel is an important vehicle for communicating such ideals. This paper, therefore, examines the global problem of insecurity with particular emphasis on Africa in the 21st century. It explores what African Literature is, especially the novel and the relevance of the African novel to global peace-building, paying particular attention to the pre-colonial African novel alongside the colonial and contemporary African novels. This is to establish a link with the pre-occupation of African novelists in charting new fronts in combating Africa’s socio-political challenges. The paper emphasises that Africa should learn lessons from the past through stories, myths, legends and pre-colonial status quo that abound in African novels in order to shape the future through peaceful co-existence and respect for societal norms. This will help eradicate insecurity.