Talmoria

[jamescfm]

Failed coup attempt triggers new constitutional settlement
Foiled plot by senior military officials prompts struggling government to convene a constitutional assembly led by citizens
12 December 4769


An attempted coup d'état by a small group of Talmorian army officers has been revealed by the government. The group of officers had nicknamed their plan to seize control of key political and media institutions "Operation Hammerhead" but lower-level personnel loyal to the civilian government exposed their plot before its intended execution yesterday evening. Although the government did not reveal the details of who was involved or how the operation would have happened, they vowed that those responsible would face justice.



Minister of Defence Chika Ekene spoke to the nation to reveal the attempted coup d'état intended to seize control of the country was orchestrated by senior army officers


The military officers are believed to have devised the plan in response to concerns from the media, the population and business that Talmoria's current political instability could have disastrous repercussions. The country has lurched between governments over the past thirty years, leading to an era of economic stagnation and a noticeable drop in living standards. Registered unemployment in the country has reached over twenty percent as people increasingly turn to informal work to meet their needs.

For the current government, the attempted coup was the tipping point as they pledged to convene a new constitutional assembly to reform the political process. Leading ministers made clear that they wanted to facilitate a "multilateral discourse that enabled progress and stability for the future of the nation". The new proposals will be instituted on a rapid timescale, with elections for the new assembly taking place by the end of the month. Once it has convened, the body will have no longer than twelve months to discuss and draft a new constitutional settlement for Talmoria.

The process is thought to have been partly inspired by similar constitutional reforms in Jakania and Seko in recent decades that have enabled both countries to experience periods of relative stability and prosperity. Talmorian representatives will face some challenges that those countries were not subject to, however. Chief among these is ensuring robust procedures to recognise the country's cultural diversity. At various times throughout recent centuries, politicians have attempt to ignore the reality of the country's complex ethnic and linguistic variety, often to the detriment of minority groups. The new government has already pledged that the process will work for "all citizens of the Republic".

Anwụ is a broadsheet Keobi-language newspaper in Talmoria covering a wide variety of news and public interest content ranging politics, business to culture, media and sport

[jamescfm]

First election following new constitution delivers clear mandate
The big-tent democratic movement known simply as Lion has won an overwhelming victory in the first general election of a new political era
20 December 4770


Following public approval of a new Talmorian constitution by special referendum at the beginning of last month, the first general election under the new system has delivered a resounding victory for the Lion movement. Elections were held for over six-hundred seats in the new Parliament as well as the office of President. In almost all of these races, the winning candidate was from the Lion movement and in many cases there were multiple candidates associated with the movement running in a single seat.



New President Ami Asiedu (right) and the new parliamentary leader of the Lion movement Afua Tawiah (left) shortly after the full results of the election were announced


Talmoria's new constitution outlines the institutions of government in significant detail and is based around the familiar principle of "separation of powers"- with the President and the cabinet being entirely separate from the legislature. The document was drafted by a constitutional assembly elected in December last year and approved by a special referendum of the entire voting age population. Throughout the process of drafting, the Lion movement emerged to unite individuals who supported a democratic republican system built around pluralism.

In the end these individuals represented the vast majority of those elected to the assembly, with a small minority of monarchists representing the only significant opposition. Once the details of the constitution had been agreed, the Lion movement became a formal political movement and announced they would be fielding candidates in the first Parliamentary election. In recognition of the political and cultural diversity of the movement, it has adopted a highly decentralised structure that enables various interests and ideologies to be represented.

A key part of the Lion movement's philosophy and the principles that underlie the new constitution is the rejection of nationalism and an embrace of Talmoria's cultural diversity. National identity has been a controversial subject throughout the country's history due to the manifold expressions of identity that exist among Talmorian people. Lion leader Ami Asiedu has vowed to oppose the concept of the nation-state altogether in favour of an open and pluralistic approach to governance. Linked to this idea, the new constitution avoids designating a national language or state religion as well as explicitly stating the equal nature of all Talmorian citizens.

Anwụ is a broadsheet Keobi-language newspaper in Talmoria covering a wide variety of news and public interest content ranging politics, business to culture, media and sport

[Lovett]

POLITICAL TURMOIL ENDS AS INTERIM GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS DECLARED BY MILITARY LEADERSHIP

Military Officials emphasise the importance of a "Clean Slate" for Talmoria, declaring that a provisional assembly will be elected to draft a new democratic
constitution grounded in liberal, nationalist and republican ideals. The National Unity Congress founded by military and civilian leadership as the first legal
political party in the new State has welcomed the move as the beginning of the "Talmorian Transition to Democracy."



Chief of Staff Madaki Adebowale, uncharacteristically in civilian attire, declares constitution elections to occur as soon as possible at media event


Anticipation in Talmoria for the past week has come to fruition today, with the military authority declaring that an election will be held to establish a
constitutional assembly as the starting point for a new Democratic State. Chief of Staff, General Adebowale, the de-facto head of state for the past 4
months since the military intervention, announced in a statement that a new constitution will take into account, liberal, national and republican
considerations and will consider democratic sustainability as a core foundation. The National Unity Congress has welcomed the move as a step towards
a democratic transition. Crowds applauded the General Staff outside the military HQ following the announcement.

Talmoria has for the past four decades been plagued with political violence, ethnic conflicts and widespread corruption following the collapse of the Sultanate,
with weak government authority in the capital failing to influence the anarchy in the countryside. The military coup and subsequent intervention was seen as a
final chance for a country requiring strong leadership more than anything else. With the violence declining however, calls have come to take the opportunity
given by the intervention to remould Talmoria into a stable democracy which can prosper domestically and exert itself on the global stage. Chief advocates
of this approach formed the National Unity Congress in an effort to unify the national democratic movement. Talks between the KIO and the Military are seen
as the main cause of the military announcement.

Although the military remains at present in total control, Adebowale has stated that it may be necessary for World Congress oversight of the election, in part
to demonstrate to the international community that Talmoria is on a positive path following half a century of isolation and impoverishment. The General
also set out his views on a new state centred on two leaders, a President focused on representing the nation domestically and internationally and a Prime
Minister appointed by the President who leads the day to day workings of government. A Semi-Presidential Republic has seen great support from the
leadership of the KIO and it appears National Union and the Chief of Staff are working in tandem. Community leaders have however emphasised the
importance of mending ethnic divisions whilst also building a federal structure which enables the five main ethnic groups to cooperate nationally whilst
controlling their affairs locally. The Provisional Assembly must take steps to consider all the issues involved in Talmoria's ethnic framework if the nation is to
remain unified democratic into the 60th century.


IGTUN - The New Times Is A Talmorian broadsheet newspaper focused on Talmorian politics, economics and culture. It is considered the newspaper of record in the Union of Talmoria

[Auditorii]

Kafuri Majatran News Agency: Dozens of foreign nationals among those arrested by General Intelligence Directorate for being ASIK/ASIM followers (October 4880)

[Auditorii]

Der Globus: State Chancellor announces massive aid package to Talmoria (June 4882)

[Lovett]

Constitutional Debate Entering Final Stages As Talmorians Build Their New State Institutions From The Ground Up

Debates around Federalism, Presidential authority, language distinctions And minority rights are among the most pressing issues for the
Assembly. The National Unity Congress has emphasised the importance of consensus in support of any Constitution proposed by the Assembly.
Any constitution must be ratified by the Assembly and supported by a majority of the Talmorian people in a referendum, says Adebowale.



The Provisional Assembly has debated the Intricacies of Constitutional Law for the past month, as cultural, political and economic groups negotiate a unified settlement


The debates in Talmoria concerning the new constitutional framework are beginning to reach their conclusion after over a year of negotiations amongst
the miriad of ethnic groups throughout Talmoria. The Provisional Assembly, made up of representatives of the major political, ethnic and religious groups
within the country, have for months pondered the issues surrounding the creation of a modern state and nation inside Talmoria which will serve the test
of time. Of utmost importance was the question of language, religion and culture and ways in which national cohesion could be upheld through a division
of powers between the President, the Assembly and the Judiciary.

The language issues, brought about by the large variety of different languages and greater still language dialects spoken by the Asli peoples, has been the
most heavily debated as ethnic groups rush to defend their languages whilst centralists aim to merge language families to aid in an eventual unified
education system. Talmoria have been categorised by linguists as one of the few nations left within the Globe to feature a broad dialectical continuum,
wherein communities in close proximity can mutually communicate but differences over distance leave both ends of the country unable to understand
one another. Debates around solutions to this issue have centred on whether Western Asli languages and Eastern Asli languages should be unified or
kept separate with two languages to be taught in both language regions to aid cultural development and national cohesion. The latter has garnered much
support and seems to be the most likely option, though both centralist hardliners and ethnic minorities continue to hold out.

Another matter of debate centres on the power of the executive branch within the new semi-presidential system. At present the Provisional Assembly
remains unified in having a Presidential election every 8 years and Assembly elections every 4. The debate has however shifted to focusing on what
capacity that President should have and what means the Assembly should have to overrule him. Centralising figures have focused on ensuring
a Talmorian President has powers over the military and over the appointment of ministers, positions anathema to the decentralising efforts of
different interest groups. Centralisers appear in this respect to have the numbers over decentralists, with Federalism and decentralised languages
used to draw different groups to the centraliser's cause. A constitution is therefore taking shape, one in which the President will remain in power
for 8 years each election cycle but will serve with the risk of an Assembly removing him from office and calling an election with a two thirds
majority.

Now the struggle becomes one of finalising the constitution into one document which all groups and parties can call their own. However, the leadership
of the national alliance has declared that the issue will soon be dealt with and a new Union of Talmoria can take its place among the free nations of
the Globe.


IGTUN - The New Times Is A Talmorian broadsheet newspaper focused on Talmorian politics, economics and culture. It is considered the newspaper of record in the Union of Talmoria

[OOP]

Talmoria Seesei
Talmoria Now
Kwami Djansi on the construction of railways in Talmoria

This morning, the Prime Minister of Talmoria, Kwami Djansi, has spoken for the first time in public about the opening of maglev railway lines in the country as a product of cooperation between the governments of Sekowo and Talmoria.
The initiative is part of a larger continental project proposed by Sekowo, which seeks to create a way of transport friendly to the environment able to compete with international flights.

The cooperation would have taken place after the ratification of an agreement between Sekowo and Talmoria, in which Talmorian public companies would have agreed to partner with Transdovanian Rails in order for the project to be carried out.
The lines currently connect most of the cities in Talmoria, in addition, a new line would connect the important cities of Sogo and Heimeikyo in just 7 hours.

With this project we seek to increase continental trade and improve relations with our brothers in Sekowo and Dovani. Our administration believes and trusts in Dovani's abilities to emerge as a continent, this is why we decided to go ahead with the project.

[OOP]

Nsoroma
"The Star"
The Talmorian Salvation Front announces the withdrawal of Kwami Djansi from the political world, he will continue to act until the end of his term.

This morning, the President of Talmoria together with his cabinet announced their retirement from politics, they will act until the end of their terms and they will not present in the following elections.

Kwami Djansi has been a controversial name in Talmoria for many years, a popular figure and leader of the TNK, considered by some to be the second founder of the Party and the new republic due to its restructuring of the first and its focus on economic and foreign development in the second, under Djansi, Talmoria became closer to the outside world, he was one of the presidents who has seen more diplomatic/economic accords and treaties under his regime.

However, everything has an end, the now elderly president together with his equally old cabinet simply cannot give more for the country, the withdrawal was announced at the monthly Party Congress.

We at Nsoroma believe that Djansi will be remembered for hundreds of years, just like Abioye Ogbe.

[arsonist]

February, 5392


BREAKING: MAJORITY OF GOVERNMENT KILLED IN AHMADI ATTACK (backtracked)


In largest coordinated attack in recent history coalition of radical Ahmadi terrorist organisation has bombed the Palace of Government in Sogo, and the building of the Assembly of the State. Casualty count is estimated to be around 200 dead and 750 injured and rising. Among the confirmed dead are President of the State Haruna Izem, President of the Government Ali Bazoum, Minister of Internal Affairs Dejen Simba, and Minister of Finance Chinwendu Adisa. Minister of Defence Kayode Melisizwe and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nyongesa Sidiki have been seriously injured and Minister of Justice Sylvestre Yohan is reported missing. Other causalities include 13 dead members of Assembly of the State, and 49 injured, 7 of these seriously.

According to reports such high casualty rate among the government was caused by government meeting in the Palace of the Government. Field Marshal Bekṍe Ankomah, who has attended the meeting but survived relatively unscathed, has announced martial law and temporary suspension of the Consitution until order can be restored. To ensure restoration of stability and security to Talmoria Marshal Ankomah will lead Provisional Government of National Stability, and immediately begin military operations against Ahmadi radicals.

Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by coalition of radical Ahmadi terrorist organisations known as National Ahmadi Salvation Front of Talmoria. NASFT has been significantly increasing popularity in recent years with pools showing that up to 43% percent of population support them. Statement from the Provisional Government has announced that Talmorian Armed Forces will start immediate anti-NASFT operations, however some experts doubt effectiveness of these operations due to decentralised nature of the NASFT, support for it within the armed forces, and resistance of the civillian population favouring the organisation.

It remains to be seen if such operations will be effective or if NASFT is going to start full-scale insurgency. If such case takes place it might nudge other radical groups within Talmorianto start their own conflicts, and may even escalate into proper civil war. As such actions of powerful actors within and without Talmoria have potential to influence course of Talmoria and surrounding areas.

[arsonist]

January 5397


5 YEARS OF LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT IN TALMORIA


As it has been 5 years since the 5392 Sogo bombings, our newspaper has decided to review the events in Talmoria during this period. As most of our readers are probably aware, in 5392 a coalition of radical Ahmadi terrorist groups known as the National Ahmadi Salvation Front of Talmoria carried out the largest terrorist attack in recent memory, killing over 200 people and injuring over 800. Among the victims of these attacks were the former president of the state, the former head of the government, the former interior minister, the former finance minister and several other ministers, as well as several members of the state assembly.

The main victim of the attacks, however, is the democracy of Talmoria, as in the aftermath of the attacks, Field Marshal Bekṍe Ankomah announced the imposition of martial law, the suspension of the constitution and the establishment of a Provisional Government of National Stability. According to the Provisional Government, this state of affairs will end when Talmoria is stabilised and the Salvation Front is destroyed. Despite these promises, the transitional government has so far failed in this endeavour, with the Salvation Front gaining de facto control of the north-western regions of Hawaso and Bintuko and no end to the conflict in sight.

The conflict itself can be classified as low intensity, with no major clashes since the start of armed operations in the early months of the conflict. Instead, there have been constant reports of minor clashes and conflicts between the Salvation Militia and the Provisional Government Forces. However, according to some predictions, there is a possibility of a radical escalation in the near future. These predictions are based on the fact that the Provisional Government Forces are increasingly attacking and threatening key Salvation Front positions and strongholds.

It's not yet clear whether the Salvation Front is actually capable of taking over and controlling all of Talmoria, but as support for the Salvation Front grows, this possibility is not out of the question. Such a scenario is further supported by the fact that the Provisional Government appears to be increasingly alarmed by the situation in Talmoria and neighbouring Statrica, where left-wing Ahmadis have proclaimed the Statrican Ahmadi Democratic Republic, plunging the region into further chaos.