This collection of essays bring historical perspectives to the present and future of Africa. The contributors argue that at the time when the 'nation state' is in crisis after some forty decades of factitious sovereignty, the challenge remains to renew the pan-African ideal, beginning with the rediscovery of historical consciousness. They conclude that aspirations for regional integration must be reconciled with a unified continental assembly; and that pan-Africanism must be reactivated as a political project to promote viable economic development and an African renaissance. Thieno Bah is Professor of History at the University of Yaounde, Cameroon. He has written several books on military history. He is a founder member of the Association of African Historians, and was editor of the journal Afrika Zamani (Codesria) from 1975 until 2001. Other contributors are Abdoulaye Gueye, Antoine Tine and Kalilo Sylla. (In French.)