Fortune

Fortune is a young Congolese soldier, one of the most emotionally raw characters in the play. He reflects the human cost of the larger conflict and serves as a means to explore themes of loyalty, shame, and redemption. He arrives at Mama Nadi's establishment not as a customer but as a man overwhelmed by grief and guilt. His mission is to find Salima, the woman he loves, who was taken by rebel fighters, a situation he feels he failed to prevent. His journey involves a painful transformation—from a soldier caught in the military systems that perpetuate violence against women to a man forced to confront his own complicity and the limitations of his love.

Fortune’s main characteristic is his stubborn and nearly self-destructive devotion. He deserts his unit and waits outside Mama Nadi's bar for days, refusing to leave without Salima, even though she won’t see him. This vigil highlights his inability to realize that his well-meaning presence might re-traumatize her instead of offering help. His comrade Simon repeatedly encourages him to give up the mission and return to his duties, representing the conflict between masculine duty and personal love.

The most heartbreaking moment for Fortune occurs when Salima chooses to end her own life rather than be rescued by any man or group. This act takes away his chance for reconciliation and forces him to confront the harsh reality that his love cannot erase the violence in the world. He leaves the play a broken man, embodying incomplete redemption while still hinting at the possibility of change.