By Chukwuma Ajakah

Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous African nation, “Return to Mangruvia” by Nigerian author, Bruno Liman, is a gripping novella that weaves a complex tale of power tussle, resilience, and transformation.

“Return to Mangruvia” is the riveting account of the monarchical nation of Mangruvia, which represents a typical African country facing economic woes, political tensions, and a devastating drought. The 130-page novella unfolds in 14 chapters of lucid prose, weaving tales of love, political intrigues, and a brutal coup d’état. The story kicks off in Chapter One at the county’s radio broadcast station, where Major Bungulu arrives, pretending that his military van needs repairs, whereas he is setting the stage for a forceful change of government.

In Chapters Two and Three, the narration shifts to the Palace with the kingdom’s paramount ruler, King Mbamata, navigating diplomatic relations with a high commissioner from an East African country, while Prince Maroof, a humble Group Captain, trains his squadron of fighter pilots. As tensions simmer, the king faces intense pressure to give his assent for oil exploration in Miguli county, where oil is believed to be in commercial quantity. While the monarch takes his time studying the situation, eager foreign investors and explorers are itching to get in, and local politicians see this as a chance to usher in a new dawn of prosperity. The king remains calm, but his hesitation to plunge into the oil deal fuels tension as the Prime Minister and his cabinet intensify the pressure on him to exploit the kingdom’s newly found oil reserves.

At the heart of the narrative is Prince Maroof, around whom the plot revolves. The Prince’s life takes an unexpected turn when he returns to Mangruvia after years of service in US Air Force. Humble and unassuming, the young ruler is thrust into the spotlight when his father, King Mbamata abdicates the throne after an attempted coup, paving the way for the 42-year-old Prince Maroof, to assume power. The narrative takes a somber turn, exploring themes of leadership and fate as the devastating drought, ravaging the land and cattle (Chapters Four-Five), suddenly stops as if in reverence to the new monarch, King Maroof whose life takes an unexpected turn as he is thrust into governance responsibilities. As circumstances propel him to the helm of power, the Prince navigates the complexities of leadership, confronts his own doubts, and forges a new path for the peninsular country, Mangruvia.

Chapter Six explores the themes of love and patriotism as Dr. Yamin Frabba, a US-based expert, is approached by Mangruvia’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Smartson Kiswen, for a crucial executive role already advertised in the kingdom’s emerging oil industry. Also, this chapter hints at the theme of unrequited love with clauses revealing Celia’s evasiveness about Dr. Frabba’s marriage proposal after four years: “Yamin Frabba sat on a low stool in his kitchen and munched furiously on the chicken dinner he had brought home from El Condor Restaurant. He took a long gulp of beer and waited hopefully for Celia to return…The phone rang and he hoped it was not Celia because if she was, then it meant she either would come back late or not at all as she had been doing ever since he suggested that they soak their four-year old affair in wedlock” (p. 50).

Tensions escalate in Chapter Seven, as a sniper guard watches the situation, hinting at the coup’s beginnings as mutineers seize the radio studio, overrunning Mangruvia’s broadcast studio to air Major Akamid’s justification speech for the takeover. On hearing the news, General Lucius Kalumba leads Mangruvia’s loyal defence forces to thwart the coup – the trio of Col. Akamid, Major Sima Bungulu, and Captain Vatumnum, alongside other disgruntled medium-ranking military officers had almost successfully staged against the popular, but troubled monarchical government. The ailing king seeks medical treatment abroad, reflecting on his country’s tumultuous past, while an emergency meeting at the central bank addresses the kingdom’s economic future. Aided by his wide experience and military training overseas, the new leader, Group Captain Maroof embarks on a mission to revitalize the economy, promote social order, and empower the youth through innovative policies, including compulsory military training and accessible start-up loans for entrepreneurs.

The author employs a shifting narrative lens, juxtaposing the coup’s aftermath with everyday life through a third-person narrative perspective. Towan Bank, a microfinance institution, emerges as a sign of normalcy – a metaphor for resilience – in the kingdom’s bustling streets. The author also deploys suspense through flashbacks, portraying the Chief Engineer’s struggles with oil exploration, making the eventual strike with his team more impactful. Wild jubilations erupt across the country. Meanwhile, news filters in: the old king has joined his ancestors. The king’s death marks a new era, leaving readers to wonder what lies ahead.

Through its rich narrative, “Return to Mangruvia” explores topical issues and pressing themes of neocolonialism, foreign interference, repressive governance, and the promise of African nations to forge their own path towards democracy. With its timely and thought-provoking message, this novella is a compelling read for anyone who is interested in the complexities of African politics, leadership, and the human spirit. One of the themes explored is superstition, evident in the author’s portrayal of King Maroof’s coronation, particularly the symbolic rainfall that ended the 3-year drought, which many see as divine endorsement of the new paramount ruler and a pointer to the emergence of a more prosperous nation. For them, the timely rains are more than coincidence – they are a blessing, validating the young king’s ascension. Old King Mbamata’s hands-on approach to the coronation now seems prescient, as if he had willed the turn of fortune. The resulting suspense leaves the reader wondering: How will this perceived blessing shape the king’s rule?

Bruno Liman’s “Return to Mangruvia” blends dark humour and poignant moments, making it a compelling tragic-comedy. The narrative’s climax, a coup attempt, pushes the story towards tragedy, but the swift foiling of the plot and subsequent justice served to the perpetrators steer it towards a more hopeful outcome. The author introduces a layer of comic relief through the monarch’s survival and peaceful transfer of power, underscored by the fact that even the mutineers receive a fair trial in a regular court, with the innocent soldiers acquitted. As one example of the story’s nuanced tone, the ringleader of the congress building siege receives a 25-year sentence, a stark contrast to the potential devastation averted. This balance of gravity and unexpected turns makes for a thought-provoking read.

The author’s masterful use of figurative language such as metaphor as in “Capitol averred that the military was going to take umbrage under the coup to witch-hunt officers who may have committed other offences” (p.70) and paradox as in, “…the King had learnt to to distrust everybody and have no confidence in anybody” (p.89) adds depth to character dynamics mirroring the complexity of the kingdom’s tensions, and pulling readers into the narrative’s grip. Besides, the novella’s simple, accessible language – laced with humour, diverse metaphors, and everyday conversational expressions, make the narrative relatable.

“Return to Mangruvia” is a story that asks: What does democracy look like in Africa, and how do local contexts shape its practice? For readers interested in nuanced stories of governance, power, and African narratives, the narrative offers a thought-provoking exploration. Political leaders and policymakers might find parallels to real-world challenges, students and leisure readers will appreciate this gripping tale, navigating resilience and nuances of Africa’s homegrown democracy.