Daniel Mengara was born in Minvoul, Gabon, in 1967. He holds a BA from Omar Bongo University in Gabon, an MA from Illinois State University, and a PhD and MA from the University of Nice, France.
Mengara has published several articles in the areas of francophone, post-colonial, and African studies. Mema is his debut novel. He is also founder of the Bongo Doit Partir, a political organisation which sets itself in opposition to the Omar Bongo regime and which promotes democracy in Gabon.
He currently works as Professor of World Languages and Cultures at Montclair State University and is the Executive Director of SORAC (Society of Research on African Cultures).
