Cobura

[Pragma]

     
     LTI leader's daughter defends "revisionist" party platform
          3 August 5429

Reveka Lembeki, a prominent member of the extra-parliamentary Lemēshēou Tes-Irkawa (Luthorian: Warriors of Irkawa) and daughter of party leader Pashai Lembeki, issued a robust defence of the party's platform in an interview with local Irkawan media. Her remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of the party, which critics say takes a revisionist approach to war crimes committed by the ethnic-Irkawan Nen-Snēou (Luthorian: Our Brothers) paramilitary during the Coburan Civil War.

Lembeki was asked about the party's official platform, which states that the Nen-Snēou forces were "liberators of the Irkawan people and national heroes". She replied that although the civil war "included some messy periods", the overall thrust of her party's position was to "celebrate" the defeat of the former monarchy - and the role that both sides played in bringing the instability to "a lasting halt". In the same interview, Lembeki defended her appointment to the party's board by her father, saying that accusations of nepotism were "ignorant" and ignored the "deep traditional roots" of clan-based organisation within the Irkawan community. Her father, Pashai Lembeki, has also appointed his son Aēron Lembeki to a position as party spokesperson.

Shortly after her remarks were published, academics from the University of Aŭgusta published a letter, signed by up to 40 respected peers, forewarning that Lembeki's rhetoric could serve as a gateway for Irkawan ultranationalism to re-enter federal politics. They also noted that the collapse of Nen-Snēou's political wing after the death of leader and founder Zōilos Angietis led to a dramatic reduction in sectional conflict in the autonomous republic of Irkawa, and that a return to ethnic-based politics would damage the progress the nation had made towards peace.

The Sharba Telegram is a national daily broadsheet newspaper with a moderate and liberal editorial perspective.

[jamescfm]

Hieronimo Jelbo selected as People’s Salvation Front presidential candidate
23 August 5431

Ahead of next year’s federal election, the governing People’s Salvation Front has announced their presidential candidate. Hieronimo Jelbo is a former schoolteacher who only became involved in national politics after the last election. In this sense, he provides a contrast to former president Paŭlo Jozefido, who has stood as the party’s candidate in every previous federal election. Jozefido is a former military official closely associated with the Hosian Defence Forces.

Since he entered politics, Jelbo has been outspoken on a number of political issues. Perhaps the most significant is his support for greater integration within Cobura’s federal structure. In recent years, there has been a growing movement within the country supporting changes to the constitutional order. At the centre of this has been the PSF’s coalition partners Coburan Pride.

There has been debate within the party about the appropriate response to demands for a stronger federal government. Hosian and Zardic voters are more likely to oppose weakening regional governments. Even many regional politicians have called for increased powers though. Long-serving president of the Free Hosian Republic Assefa Meseret Mengistu suggested the federal government is better placed to provide healthcare, given the challenges faced by regional administrations. The issue will be central to the upcoming election campaign.

[jamescfm]

Federal government plans would breach peace treaty, says Mekonnen
9 February 5447

President of the Free Hosian Republic Mekonnen Assefa Meseret says that proposals to centralise political authority by strengthening the power of the federal government would represent a breach of the terms of the 5411 peace agreement that brought an end to the Coburan Civil War. In a special address, Mekonnen warned federal politicians that the People’s Salvation Front (PSF) would take “all necessary action” to ensure the preservation of peace in Cobura.

In the past two decades, Cobura has experienced a period of relative stability following the end of the civil war and the defeat of a Majatran insurgency in Dilganato. Under the terms of the 5411 agreement, the country functions as a de facto confederation in which almost all political power is held by three regional governments. The three entities are formally equal under the country’s constitution but the Free Hosian Republic has come to dominate.

Recent federal elections have produced decisive majorities for pro-federal political parties, led by the Social Democrats - the Left, a pan-ethnic political alliance. Mekonnen’s party has continued to win elections in the Free Hosian Republic, as well as forming the largest opposition group to the government. Tensions have risen in the past. At the start of the decade, there were fears of a return to political violence when the Mekonnen’s regional government briefly withdrew support for the federal armed forces.

Since the civil war ended, there have been numerous attempts to unite the country. In the early years, there was widespread suspicion of such efforts. Coburan society has struggled to rebuild though. Economic development has been limited to a handful of large cities in the central regions. Coburan public services consistently rank among the worst in Majatra. Left-wing political parties have claimed ethnic federalism is the source of many of these problems.

In the present political context, it is the People’s Salvation Front and their military wing the Hosian Defence Forces that stand as the principal obstacle to political reform. In the past, there was a broad spectrum of opinion within the political coalition about the future constitutional settlement. For many supporters at the time, the terms of the peace agreement were a temporary solution to facilitate reconciliation in a divided country. Since he succeeded his father as leader though, Mekonnen has shaped the party in his own image. Given the extensive powers he holds under the current system, he has made clear he will not countenance reform. As a consequence, the federal government faces a dilemma. Either admit that fundamental constitutional change is impossible in Cobura, or force changes through and risk bringing about a new period of political uncertainty.


The New Informer is a broadsheet Zardic-language newspaper covering current affairs from a liberal perspective

[jamescfm]

     
     Federal government passes controversial constitutional reforms
          3 August 5447

After months of speculation, the Coburan Federal Congress has passed legislation to significantly extend the power of the federal government. Prime Minister Mimi Ketema promised reforms to the country’s constitution within the current legislative term but faced fierce opposition from the regional government of the Free Hosian Republic led by Mekonnen Assefa Meseret. In protest at the expected passage of the legislation, the People’s Salvation Front refused to attend today’s session of the Federal Congress.

In the wake of the constitutional reforms, there are concerns about the reaction of Mekonnen and his party. Earlier this year, he promised to take “all necessary action” to preserve order in Cobura. Mekonnen’s political power is closely tied to the Hosian Defence Forces (HDF). Since the death of Zōilos Angietis and the collapse of his Irkawan nationalist paramilitary group Nen-Snēou, the HDF have been the country’s most important military force. The creation of a federal military in 5420 has not significantly reduced their influence.

Though his influence is concentrated in the Free Hosian Republic, Mekonnen has powerful connections throughout the country. The government of the Majatran Special District relied on the support of the HDF to bring an end to the prolonged insurgency in eastern Dilganato. HDF personnel remained stationed throughout the region. Since the legislation was passed earlier today, there has been no statement or comment from Mekonnen or the regional government. Domestic and international analysts are watching the situation closely.

The Sharba Telegram is a national daily broadsheet newspaper with a moderate and liberal editorial perspective.

[jamescfm]

Mekonnen orders Hosian Defence Forces to march on Sharba
5 August 5447


President of the Free Hosian Republic Mekonnen Assefa Meseret has ordered the Hosian Defence Forces (HDF) to march on the Irkawan capital. In an apparent military coup, Mekonnen made a public statement urging all Coburan citizens to “remain calm while we restore constitutional government in our country”. Video footage shared on social media shows HDF forces crossing the border into the Republic of Irkawa without opposition. No fighting between the paramilitary group and federal forces has yet been reported.

In the areas along the border between the two republics, HDF personnel have established a presence in strategic locations. Impromptu checkpoints have been set up on several major roads. According to reports from the Majatran Special District, there is a heightened military presence in major cities and people have been told to stay indoors and avoid public spaces. The security situation in the region is managed by a combination of federal forces, the HDF and various Majatran militia groups.

Mekonnen’s announcement follows the passage of controversial constitutional reforms two days ago. In the time since then, the regional government of the Free Hosian Republic had offered no response to the legislation. For several months, Mekonnen deployed increasingly belligerent rhetoric in opposition to the proposals, which granted sweeping new powers to the federal government. The legislation effectively brought an end to the post-war constitutional settlement in Cobura.

Thirty six years after the peace agreement that ended the country’s civil war, the HDF remains the most powerful military force in Cobura. Since that agreement, they have often been characterised as a “hybrid actor”. They remain under the direct control of the People’s Salvation Front but they have effectively functioned as a regional military for the Free Hosian Republic.

Cobura’s federal armed forces are relatively weak in comparison to the military forces of other countries. The conflict in eastern Dilganato was the only major operation they have participated in. During that conflict, they relied on the support and close cooperation of the HDF and paramilitary groups. At this stage, there has been no indication that they are taking steps to defend Sharba. The federal government is also yet to respond.

     Majatran Eye is a broadsheet newspaper available throughout Majatra focusing on international economic and political affairs

[jamescfm]

Mekonnen declares himself interim president after march on Sharba
14 August 5447

Nine days after he ordered the Hosian Defence Forces (HDF) to march on the Irkawan capital Sharba, Mekonnen Assefa Meseret has declared himself interim president of Cobura. In a national address broadcast across the country this morning, he promised the restoration of constitutional government “as soon as possible” but pledged that the previous government would “face justice”. In the past nine days, numerous former ministers from the Social Democrats - the Left have been arrested and several are believed to have fled the country.

After Mekonnen ordered the march on Sharba on 5 August, the federal government collapsed within a matter of hours. Cobura’s federal armed forces provided almost no opposition. The response has been blamed on a combination of factors. Political sympathy for Mekonnen and the HDF reportedly played a major role among Hosian soldiers, while a sense of futility encouraged the quick surrender of many units. Mekonnen was quick to offer amnesty to those who turned over their weapons.

The primary opposition to Mekonnen’s seizure of power has been provided by paramilitary groups. Irkawan nationalist groups have organised and taken control of isolated towns and cities in the region. Majatran tribal militias have taken advantage of the political instability to reassert their authority in areas where the regional government is dependent on the military support of the HDF. Mekonnen has promised order will be restored nationally by the end of the month.