Femi Osofisan’s discourse on Pan-Africanism and reconciliation in Nkrumah-Ni…Africa-Ni and Reel, Rwanda

Abstract

The paper is a critical appraisal of Femi Osofisan’s ideological perspectives of Pan-Africanism, imperialism and reconciliation as exemplified in his plays especially in Nkrumah-Ni… Africa-Ni and Reel, Rwanda. The paper also explores the playwright’s views on the dynamics of the problems confronting the African continent such as bad leadership, military intervention in politics, imperialism, betrayal, hatred, greed, disunity, poverty, injustice among others. Nkrumah, the play’s eponymous hero in Nkrumah- Ni… Africa-Ni is eulogized as the epitome of Pan-Africanism—a panacea for African recurrent problems. The article further interrogates the justification for the continual meaningless carnage, massacre and genocide in the African continent as dramatized by Osofisan in Reel, Rwanda in a most tragic form and supports the recommendation of the playwright that only true justice and reconciliation can ensure the success of democracy in Africa. In conclusion, the paper notes the splendid literary creativity of Osofisan in transposing history to the stage.

Keywords: Femi Osofisan, dramaturgy, Pan-Africanism, imperialism.