Tukarali

[Masionette9]

* For full story click on the picture above.

[Liu Che/Zhuli]

Yingdala Set to Host First Council of Shinekh Meeting

[Rogue]

Deltaria to establish a naval base in Tukarali, direct access to Antonese Ocean

[Zongxian]

Royal Alliance Sweeps Elections
1 May 4969


São Miguel - In a stunning upset for republicans, the Royal Alliance of Tukarali has swept the parliamentary elections, guaranteeing major constitutional reforms over the coming years. Aligned with the Serene House of Valdiza, it is expected that the royal house’s matriarch, Rosalina de Valdiza, will be crowned as the first monarch of a new Tukarese kingdom. There has not been a monarchy since the fall of the Democratic Kingdom in 3256.

The Royal Alliance, led by Jónatas Castelo, and the House of Valdiza have led a strong campaign centered on the idea of a “cultural renaissance” and Castelo’s political platform aims to “reinvigorate national institutions.” Legislation already slated for a vote include the reestablishment of a national system of museums and libraries, as well as renewed subsidies for artistic projects. Castelo has stated that he would also like to establish a system of national universities, in addition to the current public institutions that are maintained exclusively at the provincial-level.

Despite being a generally conservative party, Castelo’s platform has managed to attract broad support across the ideological spectrum. In addition to efforts at expanding state support for education and culture, Castelo promises to strike down numerous “archaic” laws, including the military’s ban on homosexuality and regulations prohibiting homeless shelters. But not all of Castelo’s agenda has enjoyed widespread backing. He has been criticized for speaking in favor of the death penalty and for being far too favorable of law enforcement. For now, Castelo has focused on his popular ideas and continues to ride a huge wave of support gained in the recent election.

A Brief History of Tukarese Monarchism
15 June 4969


São Miguel - It has been well over a millenia since a monarchy reigned over Tukarali but the enthronement of Queen Rosalina marks the revival of a cultural institution which has persisted through multiple historic eras. The Queen’s own royal house, the Serene House of Valdiza, dates back to the early 34th century and, much like the Royal Alliance of today, monarchists of that time sought to place the Valdizas on the throne. Ultimately they were unsuccessful but their patriarch, Suzaku de Valdiza, was elected as President of Tukarali, holding office between 3384 and 3387.

The early Valdiza monarchist movement was one of the more prominent efforts at a royal restoration after the 3rd Democratic Kingdom of Tukarali was dismantled by a fascist dictatorship. That last kingdom, existing from 3208 to 3256, saw the reign of Queen Sari of the House of Aynako, the “founding royalty” of Tukarali and the strongest claimants to the Tukarese monarchy. The House of Valdiza are blood relatives of the Aynakos but certainly at the time of Suzaku de Valdiza’s claim, they lacked any legitimacy to overtake the titles traditionally held by the House of Aynako.

The House of Aynako first rose to power under the 1st Democratic Kingdom of Tukarali, established in 2821. A cadet branch of the globally influential House of Rothingren-Traugott, the Aynako monarchs quickly gained international prominence in the young monarchy. Briefly deposed by an authoritarian republic in 2868, a dual monarchy would emerge under the Houses of Reims and Ruan during the 2nd Democratic Kingdom and it would continue until 3006. The immensely totalitarian state, characterized by Gao-Showa minority rule, sought to eliminate the influence of the Aynakos and any other royalty, viewing them as opponents in their campaign to create a personality cult surrounding their leader. When the dictatorship fell, an attempt was made to revive the monarchy but the transitional state was quickly overthrown by Metzist revolutionaries.

After only ten years of a one-party Metzist state, a new monarchy rose in the name of Ahmadism. Led by Mullah Mohammed Selassie, the theocratic state sought to transform the identity of Tukarali and spread the influence of Ahmadism over the nation. Religious tension and growing dissent would eventually bring the Tukarali Emirate to an end, with it replaced by a highly decentralized confederation akin to the pre-modern government of the United Tribes. The national government of this regime was effectively useless but compared to the preceding regimes it was a more peaceful era. As a renewed national government emerged in Tukarali, so came the 3rd Democratic Kingdom in 3208 and the reign of Queen Sari.

Fast forward to today, Queen Sari’s House of Aynako has since been lost to time, leaving only a few unverified claimants from outside the main line. Through marriage and unusual circumstances, the main line of succession passed into control of the House of Ryeo in 3956. Despite the lack of territorial control in Tukarali, the Ryeo emperors of the era took to claiming the title of “King of Tukarali.” Eventually the title was dropped from use in the Dranian monarchy although the Ryeos do still technically hold a direct claim on the Tukarese monarchy.

Absent the historic House of Aynako and with the direct line of succession in the hands of a royal house with no modern ties to the nation, the Serene House of Valdiza finally found its moment. In founding a new Tukarese kingdom, Queen Rosalina has asserted her family’s role as the most culturally relevant claimants to the throne, all while also enjoying descent, although indirect, from the original House of Aynako. The modern Queen arrives at a time of great stability and institutional integrity; hopes are that these characteristics of the Democratic Republic will persist under the Serene Kingdom. Only time will tell if she, and her royalist supporters, are successful.

[ReformedEndralon]

President Álvarez promises to sweep away crime

March 5035

Following his inauguration in the Presidential Palace the new President of the Federal Republic, former General Rodolfo Bastos Álvarez, has signalled that fighting the blight of urban crime in Tukarali will be his principle objective during his four year term. President Álvarez detailed;

For too long, through lack of Federal Government concern, the criminal elements that ruin our cities have been allowed to prosper. Murder, drug trafficking and prostitution have all flourished, causing untold misery to millions. This must stop, and I will use every power available to me to fight the gangs. I will re-arm the police, strengthen the judiciary and if needed used the Federal Armed Forces to destroy those gangs and cartels that hurt the country.

Somewhat controversially the President uttered the term "Preto" as he linked urban crime specifically to Tukarali's black population. While it is noticeable that it is within black communities that crime typically occurs, Human Rights activists were quick to point out that crime has international links and affects all communities in Tukarali.



President Álvarez on the campaign trail in the capital Sangon

Declaration of a State of Emergency

After the new National Assembly was sworn in the new Interior Minister Eduardo Costa unveiled the National Alliances first legislative proposal,establishing a State of Emergency. Included within the legislation are measures to formalise the Jury system, provide for elite special weapons units within the Police, allow the Armed Forces to support the police and to restore corporal punishment for minor crimes. The National Alliance has announced that this will eb the first of many measures to fight crime in the country.



Tukarali's urban slums have been a breeding ground for criminal activity

Slum life

The Tukarali slums, or favelas, are shanty towns that have grown up on the edge of most cities. Built following industrialisation with the rapid movement of rural peasants to urban areas the slums are inhabited by the left behind, the poor, the elderly, and Tukarali's visible ethnic minorities. As such they have become associated with poverty and crime. Murder is common, the selling of drugs rife and the situation has only deteriorated during decades of corrupt one party rule at the Federal level. Time will tell whether President Álvarez's zero tolerance approach will work.

[ReformedEndralon]

Police Continue to Cleanse the Streets

April 5038

The Police fights against the criminals gangs enters its third year in Tukarali as the open warfare with military grade weapons continues. The governing National Alliance authorised a state of emergency upon assuming power which has continued uninterrupted. The police retain special powers to break up crowds and Special Police Battalions take the fight to the gangs in the favelas. Human Rights organisations accuse the police of thousands of extrajudicial killings since 5035, but the police respond by stating that they are fighting a war against drug gangs and that police officers and Tukarese citizens have died at the hands of criminal organisations. It is unlikely that endemic violence will stop, with the National Alliance determined to continue the fight.



Police foot patrol in the capital

Crackdown on Cults

As part of the fight against criminal gangs the government has claimed that the Inkolo Esintsundu Sizwe Syncretism movement, the second largest religious grouping in Tukarali, is heavily linked to the major gangs. In response the government has successfully passed the "Anti-Cult" law. The government alleges that Inkolo Esintsundu Sizwe Syncretism is heavily linked to violent criminality including through blood initiations, prostitution and other unsavoury activities.



Prostitution is rife in vicinity of major Inkolo Esintsundu Sizwe temples

Human Rights campaigners have called out the governments legislation as another example of blatant anti-Pretos racism. They highlight that police brutality and discrimination are on the rise and that other recent legislation passed by the National Alliance is a sign of the governments racism.

[ReformedEndralon]

Álvarez elected to second term as President amidst emigration crisis on Baltusian border

July 5039

In a formality vote, President Álvarez has been elected to a second term of office as Federal President. Given that there were no other candidates this was not unexpected, however it will further cement the control of the National Alliance. President Álvarez will enjoy a second four year term of office. Although the National Alliance claims to be a big-tent party with a number of smaller parties operating under its banner, essentially Tukarali is now a firmly one party state, albeit one that pays lip service to democratic norms.



President Álvarez at his swearing in ceremony

Border Crisis

Away from the capital São Miguel a crisis has rapidly emerged on Tukarali's northern border with Baltusia. Following legislation in recent years that has encouraged emigration amongst certain Tukarese communities, combined with a largescale five year security crackdown, the Pretos community in particular has seen significantly higher levels of emigration than ten years ago. Due to the costs of international air travel, and the limited funds made available in support of emigration, many Tukarese Pretos have headed for the border to Baltusia. The Federal authorities, and state authorities in São Miguel and Borusca have done little to alleviate the crisis, made worse by the onset of the warmer summer. Human rights groups are warning of a humanitarian disaster;

There could be a humanitarian disaster, unless Baltusia does something to help.

Once again shame is cast upon Tukarali as the new government further entrenches its hostility to the Pretos.



Desperate Pretos attempt to cross into Baltusia.

[ReformedEndralon]

Continued violence in the favelas

August 5039

The state war against the cartels continues the rumble through a violent summer. After the re-election of President Álvarez crime cartels appear to have upped their game, operating with heavier weapons in the densely populated favelas on the edges of major cities. The government are considering options to offer increased weapons to Police units as well as measures to bring the Federal Armed Forces into the fight.



Police Special Forces continue the fight in urban areas

But new Tukarese continue to arrive

Despite the heavy levels of crime related violence in the slums surround major cities, the governments programme to encourage immigrants from mainly Artanian and northern Seleyan nations continues a pace. In the six months between January and July 5040, over 250,000 migrants have made the journey to Tukarali, attracted by a growing economy and generous resettlement schemes. Although some problems have been reported with linguistic barriers, the number of immigrants returning back to their home countries has been reported to be as low as 10,000 per year since the programme was initiated two and a half years ago. A government spokesmen commented that;

It is great to see happy new Tukarese arriving from such wonderful countries as Luthori, Dorvik, Dolgaria and Likatonia. We will truly create a more diverse country.

A family arrives from Kirlawa ready to start a new life in Vale do Morata

[Rogue]

OOC Source: Google

Sangon: After decades of economic stagnation, rising poverty and inadequate political leadership the Tukaralian military has staged a major and bloodless coup in the country, ousting the democratic government and installing martial law in the country. The events unfolded themselves over a period of 3 days, with army units spread accross the country and taking over strategic objectives, such as critical infrastructure, media outlets and government institutions. Apparent leader of the coup, 62 year old general Gil Varejão, shortly after taking over the media outlets, made a public address on national television, announcing the creation of the Supreme Revolutionary Command Staff, which will take over the duties associated with governing the state "until a permanent government may be established." While initially it seemed that some members of the national police force were ready to defy the military, some seemingly behind the scenes dealing seemed to have convinced them not to, with the democratic government, just three days after the coup, handing over power to the newly created Supreme Revolutionary Command Staff. In publications since the transfer the new Junta has made clear that Gil Varejão will serve as leader of the state, with the nation to be renamed into the Democratic Republic of Tukarali. A new governmental organization named the National Union has been formed as well, which will serve as a organization to streamline government. The military is portraying these changes as a new civilian government forming but outside observers all agree that it is the Junta trying to portray themselves differently to keep power for longer. The National Union is mostly led and controlled by the Supreme Revolutionary Command Staff and the nation will, if this new constitution is adopted, be at the whims of general Gil Varejão and the military. But Varejão has stated that this new government, ascribed to principles of socialism, will "work to bring our people out of poverty and restore a stable, effective government to Tukarali." This new constitution, despite featuring a parliament, will likely be anything but democratic as Varejão is granted near full autocratic powers and the parliament, named the Revolutionary Council, will only have certain minor priviliges, with the Supreme Revolutionary Command Staff still being the body to decide who can run for the Council and who cannot.

Outside leaders have already condemend the coup with Tukarali likely to experience a period of diplomatic isolation.

[Rogue]

OOC Source: AS/COA

Sangon: The newly established military regime led by general Gil Varejão is strengthening its grip on power after 2 weeks of relentless repression in which every oppossition group as either arrested, expelled or supressed in a different manner. Leader of State Varejão set out to "exterminate inside threats" and has ordered the military to crackdown on any attempts to start a protest. In the capital of Sangon, 50 or so students ready to protest the military takeover were quickly arrested, with some beaten to the point of bleeding and then taken into custody. The military has been given policing powers, with Varejão announcing he will seek to create a "robust system of security agencies to keep the peace" soon, which is a codeword for creating secret agencies he will use to opress the people. Our paper, the Sangon Herald, was also targetted with out offices in Tukarali itself now closed and our assets confiscated. We will continue to only publish online versions of our paper in an attempt to keep you, the Tukaralian viewer, informed objectively. Besides a supression of basic civil liberties the authorities have also started to confiscate foreign bussinesses and local bussinesses deemed to have major ties with the former democratic regime. Varejão announced that he and his new government will soon roll out a "comprehensive nationalization and socialization plan" which is meant to improve the quality of national services and "give the people control over our own resources once more." Opponents argue that a plan to nationalize all major industries might mean a major catastrophe if done to quickly, with millions possibly ending up in near instant poverty due to the bad transition that would occur. Varejão and his advisors have stated that this will not be the case, as his government will ensure all workers keep their current jobs and more will be able to gain jobs in the state run enterprises.

It is unclear what other plans the Junta has for the country as nearly all government related information is being censored.