Cildania

[theoriginaltrotka]

Minister of Defence Passes Away
Above: The Departmental Apostolic Funeral of Mr. Popicola
October 13 3890- An icon of Cildanian Communism and ethnic equality passed away in peace last week. After rapid progression of stage 3 non-hodgkins lymphoma of the bladder, Genadius Popicola passed away peacefully soothed by the presence of his family, friends, and pain relieving drugs. His last words, reportedly, were "my time has come, the creator has found someone else to continue my role in the revolution, thus, I have no regrets".

Mr. Popicola served as Minister of Defense under the Communist government, and he was vocally outspoken against apartheid rule during the Cildanian Civil War. Despite his Seleuco-Cildanian heritage, he fought vocally against Seleucian Apartheid Rule. He spent a year in prison due to his outspoken support for workers rights and the People's Revolutionary Front. He served faithfully for about 3 years as Minister of Defense of Cildania. He was remembered by the President, Adonibaal bin Hiempsal Mekír as "a soft spoken comrade, yet he forced his actions to speak louder than he did".

A lifelong faithful of the Apostolic Department of Cildania, he kept religion and politics seperate, although he believed that Communism was the only ideology reconcilable with Hosianism. Having died in good fellowship with the Church, he received the rites of Funeral from Abba Petrobaal bin Baalhaano at Saint Juba Church in Qart Yam. His funeral was well attended by fellow veterans of the Civil War, the President, and other Cabinet Members.

A replacement has not been announced.

[theoriginaltrotka]

Haggith Ṫabaḣ Named Minister of Defence
October 19 3890- In a press conference today Adon (President) Adonibaal bin Hiempsal Mekír announced the appointment of General Haggith Ṫabaḣ to the office of Minister of Defense. 53 year old General Ṫabaḣ has served in various military capacities for 24 years. He joined the People's Revolutionary Front, the Communist Paramilitary, at the age of 29 in 8966. His first brush with combat was at the famed siege of Qart Ramesh, where he had ascended to the rank of Lieutenant. He was active during the duration of the civil war, stationed in and around the occupied city of Qart Ramesh. In 3875, Ṫabaḣ enlisted in the Cildanian Army under General Sudru Sus where he rose to the rank of Colonel. He aided General Sus in the coup of 3876, after which he was rewarded with the rank of General in the Cildanian army. Prior to his military service, General Ṫabaḣ was a munitions worker at a factory in Qart Qildar. He was accepted into the Cildanian National Military Institute in 3860 at the age of 25, and at graduation he refused a commission in order to join the communist paramilitary. He was born in Qart Qildar and resides there to this day. His track record of distinguished service has elevated him to this rank as much as have the politics of our nation. Congratulations, General Ṫabaḣ

[theoriginaltrotka]

Cildanian Military Flexes Muscles, Voices Intent to Grow
February 2 3891- As is customary throughout Cildanian history, the Communist Government and Divine Queen put disagreements aside to put on the annual review of Cildanian armed forces. Viewing the parade were notable government figures such as the Adon (President) Adonibaal bin Hiempsal Mekír, Gisca bin Gisca (Justice Minister), Bodmelqaart Emmen (Vice Chairman of the Communist Party), and the rather elusive and no confrontational queen, Her Divine Majesty Sarah III bitt Taʾōm. However most notably due to current circumstances, Minister of Defence Haggith Ṫabaḣ and Finance Minister Juba biYumayyar were also present in the stands, likely discussing the troops quite enthusiastically with the Queen and President. After the review of forces, a spending bill was put before the Ady'riim (Assembly) to increase military spending by two billion sheqels. The Minister of Defence, General Ṫabaḣ said the following before the Ady'riim

Comrades and Mighty Ones. In these trying days the construction of socialism is threatened by the established bourgeoisie powers across Terra. Furthermore, the principles of freedom and peace that we hold dear are being threatened by the rebirth of slave trade and increased hostile dialogue. It is necessary that to defend the security of our dear socialist state we must build up our military and modernize its forces while utilizing its current potential. To be able to do this, we must realize that our military is dangerously underfunded and we must take legislative and democratic action in order to solve these problems

[theoriginaltrotka]

Above: The Institute for Labor and Societal Studies is a large brutalist building designed by Hiraam bin Adaazar, a well known architect from Qart Ramesh
Institute for Labor and Societal Studies Founded
5 November 3892- In honor of those who have died at the siege of Qart Ramesh defending socialism, and in order to further the advancement of the rights of labor and to create a free and equal society, a new building has been constructed in the city of Qart Ramesh. The building cost 20,000,000 CDC, and it is built I the brutalist style influenced by Cildanian and socialist principles. The building contains libraries, archives, classrooms, and amenities for use by local workers.

The Institute for Labor and Societal Studies will research trends in labor, industry, and society, in order to help bring forth the advancement of the workers and revolution in Cildania. The Institute will keep 20 researchers indefinitely on staff, with another 15 appointed to positions on a rotating basis

[theoriginaltrotka]

Above Left: Head Political Officer Ye'shaah bin Metaab, Center: Minister of Trade and Industry Abimelek biYlrit, Right: Minister of Defense Haggith Ṫabaḣ
Ṫabaḣ: "Watch Out, Enemies of Socialism"
February 3 3894- At a press conference outside the capital Qart Qildar, the Minister of Defence Haggith Ṫabaḣ informed Communist Party, military, and government colleagues that "rumors of [Telamonese] arm deal are true". In this press conference, which aired on this channels affiliate MilTV (Military TV), the Minister affirmed that tanks, antitank weapons, and personal armaments were being ordered from Telamon in "quantities which must be reckoned with". He also told enemies of socialism to watch their step

[theoriginaltrotka]

Bodmelqaart Emmen addresses the Ady'riim about the Telamonese Arms Deal, Sneaks in Dig at Ṫabaḣ
February 10 3894- In a legislative hearing of the Armed Forces Foreign Engagement Commission, where members of the Ady'riim (Senate) were given the opportunity to speak about the arms deal with Telamon, Vice Chairman of the Politburo of the Communist Party and Senator Bodmelqaart Emmen seized the chance to air his opinions about both the deal, and General Haggith Ṫabaḣ, the Minister of Defence. He said the following:

This arms deal, surely, is a strong step forwards in Telamonese-Cildanian trade relations, as well as the technological advancement of the armed forces of the People's Free State of Cildania. For this, I must salute our comrade General Ṫabaḣ, who indeed played the role of the acquirer in this arms deal. It has been our pleasure, furthermore, to approve the deal. However, General Ṫabaḣ has once again shown that his words have no filter. Now, the enemies of socialism know that we have large quantities and beyond a reasonable doubt which weapons. I also believe his thinly veiled threats have both placed Cildania into an awkward position with many other nations, and also have taken away our nations military professionalism, turning our socialist republic into the saber rattling barbarian target of capitalist propaganda. General Ṫabaḣ, you are well intentioned, but your intentions fly poorly like faeces out of your mouth

Reports tell that there was nervous laughter at these statements, as well as clearly awkward silence following the remarks. It is believed by several party insiders that Vice Chairman Emmen is "fearful that the party will take his favored status as a party heir and transfer it to Ṫabaḣ". Indeed, if these are Emmen's concerns, he is perhaps right to be concerned, as the Adon bin Hiempsal Mekír is now in his eighties and beginning to show signs of aging. So far, we have asked General Ṫabaḣ for a response to the statement Emmen made today, but he has not yet gotten back to us.

[theoriginaltrotka]

Breaking News:Ṫabaḣ Strikes Back
February 11 3894- General Haggith Ṫabaḣ also had some words to say about Bodmelqaart Emmen, after his slightly catty remarks which were made yesterday during a Comittee hearing. General Ṫabaḣ, Defence Minister, responded to CBC's requests for remarks, after six hours of waiting. He gave us the following words in this CBC exclusive report:

First off, I'm thankful to Comrade Emmen for his half hearted and rather decietful thanks, I do recognize that this arms deal did great good for this socialist state, and for world revolution. I am also going to state that I did my full duty as a member of the cabinet by tending to the duties I have been granted. I wonder which Mr. Emmen has more issue with, the fact that I'm responsible to my office, or the fact I am not willing to compromise the ideals of socialism and communism before foreign powers? In all seriousness, if Mr. Emmen really took issue with the gaffe and was concerned about how it portrayed socialism, he would have talked to me in private about it, because he has an open telephone line to my office. He just wants to defame me because he's afraid of losing his statuses. In reality, the only one who has faeces coming from their mouth is Mr. Emmem, because he's the one who goes around saying stupid shit about his comrades and fellow members of government.

[theoriginaltrotka]

Adon gives Mild Encouragement to Improving Relations with Trigunia
October 3896- In comments following a Presidential Press Conference, the Adon Adonibaal bin Hiempsal Mekír affirmed that "[he] talked to the man [Abakumov] and we want to improve the dialogue we conduct and make a safer world.". The Adon, who many perceived before to be in quickly decreasing health, affirmed that he is "still kicking and able to fight the good fight towards communism". the Adon also acknowledged the Trigunian governments efforts to work with unions to improve the standard of living for worker's in his country

[Polites]

Hebil goes silent
Hosian theocracy declares war on music


Hebilean band Amawal at the Ddehcer Music Festival, 3869

August 3931 - It has been sixty years since, on the fateful day of May 25th, 3870, the Selucian-run Imperial government of Cildania, in its anti-religious zeal, confiscated and demolished the medieval Mor Yaqub Cathedral in Har Yafe, sparking one of the longest and most destructive civil wars Majatra has ever seen. Hundreds of thousands died and millions were driven from their homes in the decade-long conflict that saw Communists, Hosian terrorists, and monarchists join forces against the Selucian apartheid regime only to turn against each other after merely a year of uneasy peace after the Selucian regime was defeated. The war officially ended in 3880, but in many ways it still continues to this day. The Qart Yam Agreement that signaled the end of hostilities remains seen as little more than a temporary truce, as the Independent State of Aheblun, the Hebilean people's attempt at independence, remains governed by the Apostolic Army in Majatra, the radical Hosian terrorist group that was once the backbone of the Cildanian resistance against the Selucian regime. Benefitting from the backing of Vanuku, and with it the support of the entire Zoo Alliance, Aheblun continues to preserve its unrecognized independence.

But the Apostolic Army's rule, at first cheerfully greeted by the long-oppressed Hebileans, has silenced this once joy-filled land, as its radical interpretation of Eastern Hosianism has led to the implementation of increasingly harsh laws. Many feared the consequences of theocratic rule in Aheblun, but few would have imagined that the Apostolic Army's vision of an ideal society does not include secular music. And indeed, since the region's proclamation of independence in October 3877, the only form of musical expression allowed is liturgical music, as the State's religious police patrol the streets and even the homes of Hebileans, destroying musical instruments, arresting anyone heard listening to secular music, and kidnapping prominent musicians. The Apostolic Army aims to silence everything outside the Church, a disastrous proposition in a land where song is one of the greatest exports, and where one of Majatra's largest music festivals used to take place yearly. The centuries-old Ddehcer Music Festival, organized in a small town close to Mort Iskendra, has been a major Hebilean tradition since it was first organized as a form of protest against the discriminatory Qedarite Republic of Cildania nearly nine hundred years ago. Showcasing both traditional Hebilean music as well as artists from around Terra, the Ddehcer Festival used to be one of the main upholders of the minority's endangered culture. And, paradoxically, the potentially fatal blow to Hebilean culture is being dealt by the Hebilean regime itself. The festival has not been organized since the beginning of the Civil War, and now that the Hosian theocrats govern the region, the very existence of Hebilean music is under threat.

[Polites]

Discontent in Aheblun
Hebileans criticize theocratic government


President of Aheblun Ugwistan Ag Takfarinas faces growing domestic opposition

August 3932 - The radical Hosian regime in Aheblun, with its strong international support and its promotion of Hebilean nationalism, has successfully entrenched its rule over the breakaway region for six decades, becoming the first and so far only successful attempt at independence for the long persecuted and marginalized Cildanian minority. But the Apostolic Army's rule over Aheblun has increasingly come under criticism from discontent Hebileans. The harsh theocratic laws of the regime, the suppression of any form of organized opposition, and its heavy dependence on its foreign backers in Vanuku have given birth to dissidence among Hebileans of all walks of life. Iznagen, a young student from Agadir, highlights the difficulties of daily life in theocratic Aheblun: "Wherever you go, the religious police is there. If you don't show up to Church one Sunday, you are sure to see them knocking at your door the next day, supposedly asking questions about your health and your family. They claim to care about your well-being, but you know very well what they want. God forbid that they hear you humming anything that isn't some church hymn, you will just quietly disappear without a trace one day. I'm all for independence, but not like this."

The fact that the regime is also based on the less than holy practices of drug and weapon smuggling, becoming a centre for Majatran organized crime, as well as its glaring corruption have done little to quell opposition, as 31-year-old Wimmiden, a shopkeeper from Yennayer, explains: "My father fought with the Apostolics for Aheblun, and he used to say that even the atheist Sibilla was better than these rascals. At least back then there was only one bastard robbing us, but now it's like a whole pack of them just bleeding us dry. Hosian charity my ass!"

Another major source of criticism is the government's open-door policy towards persecuted Eastern Hosians from Badara. Since the establishment of the Ahmadi State in 3864, the nation's religious minorities have suffered widespread violence and deprivation of all liberties. The small but once thriving Badaran Apostolic Church has been all but completely eradicated from the neighboring island nation, as Apostolic Badarans were forced to flee persecution throughout the seventy years of Ahmadi theocracy. And the Independent State of Aheblun, with its Eastern Hosian-based regime, has found in the Badaran refugees an excellent source of support. Taking a lesson from Selucia's policies towards persecuted Pagans during the 39th century, Aheblun has granted automatic citizenship to all Badarans fleeing religious persecution, provided they are baptized members of the Apostolic Church of the East. This generous policy does however upset the native Hebileans, who fear that the refugees and their descendants will ultimately shift the demographic weight towards a Majatran-dominated regime. Whether these fears are founded or not, the steady decades-long influx of refugees has placed a major strain on the fledgling regime's ability to cope with a massively growing population. And this policy has caused dissidence even within the Church. Father Issouf, a parish priest from Buwuzlan, expressed his discontent at the Majatran immigrants seeking refuge in Aheblun. "I'm glad to see they're promoting virtue and charity, but at some point you just have to say Enough is enough!. I'm all for helping our Apostolic brethren from Badara and I keep them in my prayers every day, but we can't just let them all barge in here like they own the place. I'm sure our Lord Eliyahu did not mean we should give away our children's bread when He told us to feed those who are hungry. I thought we were a free Hebilean nation, not some Majatran republic."

So far however opposition to the regime has failed to materialize as anything more than hushed expressions of discontent, as President Ag Takfarinas, relying on his religious police and the Badaran refugee community, keeps an iron grip on the young nation, as he has since he gained power in 3916. But the fact remains that fewer and fewer Hebileans remain supportive of the regime, and statements critical of the government are now being expressed more openly than ever. If Ag Takfarinas wishes to avoid a revolution, he may need to liberalize the regime.