14 November 2017. News breaks of a coup d’état underway in Zimbabwe. Tanks, armoured vehicles and military personnel are seen patrolling the capital, Harare. The images send shock waves through social media, traditional broadcast news networks and diplomatic channels. After nearly four decades at the helm, President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Commander-in-Chief, is set to be deposed by his own army, the Zimbabwean Defence Force. Before the month is over, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, is ushered in as the country’s third president.

These events form the backdrop of this issue of the Chronic bringing together voices of journalists and editors, writers, theorists, photographers, illustrators and artists from the country to tell a different story of Zimbabwe, now and in history, and to dream new futures.

Contributors to the broadsheet include Bernard Matambo, Simbarashe Mumera, Ranga Mberi, Percy Zvomuya, Marko Phiri, Dwayne Kapula, Netsayi Chigwendere, Panashe Chigumadzi, Florence Madenga and more

The accompanying books magazine, XiBARUU TEERE YI (Chronic Books in Wolof) asks the urgent question: What can African Writers Learn from Cheikh Anta Diop? The cover itself reworks the cover of the first issue of TAXAW, the journal founded by Cheikh Anta Diop in 1977. XiBARUU TEERE YI includes writings by Boubacar Boris Diop, Ayesha Attah, Ibrahima Wane, Mamadou Diallo, Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Khadim Ndiaye, Sumesh Sharma and many more.