The Fate and Dilemma of an African Officer – Interview

to Charles’ willChristian Eboulé gets to the heart of Captain Charles Nchungwe’s final thoughts, inspired by Charles Nchorere, the French naturalized officer in Gabon who heroically fell to Nazi bullets in 1940. As the execution approaches, Charles is caught in a whirlwind of memories. And as you reflect, you ask yourself questions about your life choices. Was it right to give up one’s culture to be accepted by colonial France? In this bitter clarity where personal history intermingles with great history, a complex portrait of a man torn between military duty and the pursuit of identity is revealed.

Eboulé, a journalist at TV5Monde, chose this novel to cover the memory of a man who symbolizes the fate of African soldiers who served in France. In a reflective way, Charles looks back on his life, from his days at a religious boarding school in Gabon to his military career in France, revisiting the humiliation, racism and courage that have characterized his existence. Beyond the individual, the author paints a picture of French colonial history, exposing the often-ignored sacrifices of these people who were prepared to die for a country that trivialized them. This selection of novels with narrative freedom allows Eboulé to capture the emotional nuances of a character that becomes more heartbreaking as his own death approaches.

At the center of this reflection is the fictional character of Grandfather Okili, a symbol of tradition and African roots. In this inner dialogue, Okili embodies the voice of ancestral wisdom, reminding Charles of the importance of his original culture in the face of French-imposed assimilation. This conflict between modernity and cultural roots constitutes one of the central themes of the novel and highlights the complexity of the colonial experience of Africans. Charles realizes that he may have betrayed a part of himself by giving up certain aspects of his identity to advance socially.

Finally, the novel also addresses the participation of African riflemen in the European war and the controversy it sparks. Eboulé highlights an excerpt from the poem: Tiaroye Senghor’s tragedy, recalling the massacre of African soldiers after returning from war, resonates with Charles’ fate. This choice highlights the historical weight of the injustice they have suffered and pays tribute to their courage. through Charles’ willChristian Eboulé opens a window into the past to better understand the challenges of identity and the scars left by colonization.