Saridan

[Reddy]

Economy Struggling
May 11, 4125

Saridan has entered an economic recession with a sharp fall in agricultural exports recorded over the last quarter of 4124. The sector suffered a 43% fall as many formal and informal boycotts are set up in nations which are horrified at the ongoing human rights violations and brutality. The country recorded its first negative balance of trade in more than 35 years, the last one recorded during the peasant uprising in the early 4090s. The country's once beloved cereals and milk, considered by many to be of the highest quality are now rotting as foreign buyers and corporations dissociate themselves from the very controversial country.


A burning plantation in south-west Ikpieland

That is not all. It has also been reported that gangs of renegade ex-slaves are carrying out hit and run attacks in the great plantations of Ikpieland, burning crops and killing plantation owners. The gangs, nicknamed the Defmos Freedom Squads typically are made up of between 10 and 15 heavily armed males. Many believe that Dante Defmos might just have managed to reach more slaves than previously thought. Leaked Interior Department documents estimate that the Squads may in total boast anywhere between 300 and 2,000 members and are branching out to the other southern provinces - Kaap and Boerstaat. Many slave owners in Ikpieland and surrounding regions have become exceedingly paranoid, executing and imprisoning hundreds of slaves who are suspected of aiding the Squads. All these developments will hardly help as the last of harvest is supposed to be coming in but right now, very little harvesting is being done - a great reverse in a nation heavily reliant on agriculture. The Council of Elders' deployment of 4,000 troops in Ikpieland has helped little so far since the isolated nature of the plantations makes it very difficult to police them all.

[Reddy]

Saridan Executes 12 Foreign 'Terrorists'
September 4, 4125

The Council of elders has announced that twelve 'terrorists' were executed in eastern Ikpieland by firing squad at the town square in Van Tassel Stad. The 'terrorists' were caught just 40 km from the Saridani-Mordusian border in the process of transporting a large cache of arms and ammunition. After 'processing', the six Kalistanis, four Istalians and two individuals of unknown nationality (10 men and 2 women) all admitted to have been transporting the weapons to a known safe house maintained by persons associated with the Defmos Freedom Squads. The autohrities are on edge with regards to the increasingly notorious Squads which have killed as many as 600 Duntrekker planters and destroyed about 200 plantations in the past four months. Violence has disrupted the plantation based economy in the southern region, with many fleeing the region.


Two of the 'terrorists' pictured here shortly before their execution

The executions of citizens of some of the Saridani regime's most vociferous critics is not likely to be received well at all. The Saridanis apparently did not even discuss the arrests with the two countries, relations are so bad that that Saridan has been rumoured to be on the verge of closing down diplomatic relations with those countries. Instead, Presiding Elder Reverend Hendrik Kruger, in a rare public address, slammed Kalistan and Istalia for "becoming state sponsors of terrorism and violence." Kruger claims that the twelve were spies full scale uprising against the Saridan government. He warned that Saridan would not tolerate this and would always inflict the harshest punishments on foreign and domestic instigators.

[Reddy]

Grain Protest Ends In Bloodbath
May 13, 4126

In one of the bloodiest days in the Saridani conflict so far, riot police shot dead 63 Ifgoerroon (mixed race) and Ikpi protesters and wounded 149 outside a local Grain Distribution Board in Krokmeer, northern Ikpieland. Three were trampled to death as protesters fled in all directions. Around 400 minority farmers, students and community activists had gathered to protest what they consider to be preferential grain allocation to Duntrekkers and reserving very little for minority communities in the region. Ikpieland has been struck by a drought as a growing insurgency by the Defmos Freedom Squads has paralysed agricultural production and disrupted last year's harvest as well. Thus the local communities are near destitute as they have lost their livelihood, foreign markets due to the increasing boycotts and sanctions and the predictable rise in grain prices in the country has only made things worse.


The scene shortly before the shooting began.

Very little grain is being imported as the Council of Elders has so far refused to reduce protective tariffs nor authorise any largescale grain imports, a move thought to be motivated by next year's elections and a desire not to alienate the protectionist factions which are dominant in the Ameliorate Historical Union. Many members of the current Council are thought to be intent on re-election for a third term in office. The ongoing crises have only emboldened the rightwing of the party and their cry of resistance is well received in many Saridani communities.

The Department of the Interior confirmed the shootings and the spokesman described the protest as a "series of riots" and blamed them on "foreign agitators who are riling up the darkies for no good." Unharmed survivors were rounded up quickly, declared "Children of Satanail" and sent off to reformative camps and 'adoptive' families. This sort of unrest is likely to increase in the coming months as the Government revealed that the economy was sliding down the path of depression as it entered a deep recession, which the Government has proclaimed to be a "period of testing by the Lord God as he tested the children of Beiteynu in the old days and has always done to those who remain true to his commandments."


Government Announces Moratorium On Execution of Foreigners

The Saridani Government has announced that it will no longer freeze authorisation of executions of foreign citizens who have been convicted with a capital offence. Rev. Gerrit Voet the Elder responsible for Justice, stated that all 47 foreign citizens convicted of a variety of offences including drug trafficking, terrorism and incitement to treason would not be executed in the mass execution that the Reverend had earlier vowed to hold later this year. The decision is thought to have been strongly influenced by the Kingdom of Vanuku, Saridan's ally and some say, puppet master. The Kingdom has gained a great deal of influence in Saridan after its protection of the country from a possible Security Council intervention over slavery. The Saridani government, heavily weakened by economic crises, food shortages and a growing insurgency in Ikpieland has become heavily reliant on aid from Vanuku, which in turn has not been shy to exert its newly increased influence in the South Seleyan nation.

[Reddy]

Cracks Appear Within Council
August 21, 4127


The Council of Elders, the nation's supreme executive organ has for the past decade stood as a monolithic bloc, united in its support for theocracy and ultra-conservatism. It has also stood united on what is currently the political hot-button in the country and Terra wide - slavery. Many members of the Council of Elders and the legislature the Consistory are planters and thus fervently support the continuation of slavery. The mood appears to be changing somewhat. Due to a number of economic and political problems directly linked to slavery and foreign pressure against it, agriculture has fast become unprofitable in recent years.


Presiding Elder Rev. Hendrik Kruger

A number of prominent voices in the Ameliorate Historical Union have called for the movement to reconsider its position on slavery. Two members of the Council of Elders, Adam Enkeldoorn and Dr. Pieter Strijdom recently presented a plan to end slavery to a meeting of the Council. The Enkeldoorn-Strijdom plan proposes abolition of slavery over the next 25 years with full compensation for slave owners. Every year a random 4% of slaves would be freed and the owners compensated. The Council voted 8 to 2 against the Plan, with three members abstaining. Th vote while a loss represents an important shift in the Council. Five years back, all would have rejected such a measures without any ambiguity and on many occasions actually did so.

Presiding Elder Rev. Hendrik Kruger moved to assure those concerned about the economy which is now fast heading into a full blown depression. He threw his support behind a economic stimulus program proposed by the Finance Elder Frederik Botha.The measure is also controversial and marks a radical departure from the frugal and non-interventionist economics traditionally favoured by the Ameliorate Historical Union. It involves the creation of a large budgetary deficit and it remains to be seen if it will be successful in its aim to counter the downturn.

[Reddy]

Situation Improves
May 12, 4128

Saridan has managed to carry out a number of successful counter-insurgency operations in the troubled region of Ikpieland. A spokesman from the Department of Defence said the newly re-trained Saridani counter-insurgency/special forces and increased "control over the Devil's web" have both contributed to the detection and neutralisation of several members of Defmos Freedom Squads. The insurgents' attacks have decreased from an average of 5 per week at their height in mid 4125 to just 3 in the past month. Observers have credited much of the success to support from a number of sympathetic countries which have generously offered their more experienced and better trained counter-insurgency instructors and operatives and have helped re-train the previously inexperienced Saridani special forces. The Ameliorate Republic has refused to identify its supporters but it is rumoured that Beiteynu and Vanuku are at least partly behind this reversal in fortunes.


Saridan Special Forces

The success means that Saridan can expect a return to economic and political stability of some measure. The harvest, while poor due to low planting last year is at least all been brought in with very few disruptions. The economic stimulus plan has had limited effect so far and has instead introduced a new problem - inflation, which is now running well into double digits. Overall though, compared to a year or two ago, Saridan is in a better state than it was in. It remains to be seen how long this improvement will last, with Security Council election polling pointing to a possible defeat for Saridan's key defender Vanuku.

[Reddy]

Back to the Blues
February 16, 4129

A year of deceptive calm has come to an end with a bang. The governing Ameliorate Historical Union thought that the country had finally seen the worst of the series of crises which have the country over the past several years. It turned out to be a mirage with a number of old and new problems and enemies resufarcing. First came the ongoing cyber attacks and hacks from Kalistan. The attackers with some ease even paralysed the relatively unsophisticated government websites and caused a great deal of disruption in November, hacking into the Department of Finance and 'authorising' payments of 25,000 SAR to each Saridani slave and freedman.


A cartoon in a national daily

The resurgence of the Defmos Freedom Squads is another worry. The Squads, previously thought to be on their way out, mounted their most daring and largest scale attack ever in southern Boerestaat (well outside of their usual Ikpieland ground of operations) About 70 Squadsmen attacked a well guarded town council meeting in the town of Swarots and massacred 28 people including the Mayor, Councilmen and other townspeople injuring 85 people. A video of the attack which showed up shows just how sophisticated the Squads are becoming in their tactics and arms. Saridan blamed the "terror attack" on Barmenia which it accused of funding the Squads. This attack is only one of dozens of new attacks by the groups which seem to have established themselves in multiple areas of operation.

Another problem is inflation which continues to rise and is believed to be well above the Government's estimates of 14%. Some economists estimate it as anywhere between 25% and 40%. There has developed much pressure for wage increases by the hitherto silent trade unions. The country's gaping budget deficit of 12.4% of GDP is fast becoming a problem as well, the previously debt free country has now accumulated debt equivalent to about 20% of GDP in just three fiscal years. There's a growing feeling that things cannot carry on this way simply for pride and international pressure continues, with allies like Vanuku continuing to pressurise the country as well, with a view to end its controversial slavery.

[Reddy]

Rev Kruger Dies
May 24, 4129

Saridan's leader for the past 12 years, Presiding Elders Rev. Hendrik Kruger has died at the age of 72. He apparently died after his pacemaker malfunctioned leading to conspiracy theories about Kalistani hackers having hacked into the pacemaker. Kruger who installed the theocratic system and passionately defending Saridani 'culture' led the country through a period of great economic, social and security challenges. Once admired by many, he died hated by many and the key symbol of an extremely unpopular regime.


Dr. Pieter Strijdom

The Consistory has moved quickly to replace him. Many members of the Consistory are disillusioned by what they view to be the Council of Elders' autocratic ways and failure to resolve the ongoing confrontation. They decided to elevate the Foreign Affairs Elders Dr. Pieter Strijdom to the position of Presiding Elder. A man of unclear conviction, Dr. Strijdom is thought to be a moderate within the Ameliorate Historical Union and the Council itself. Educated and trained as an international law professor in Vanuku, his insistence on the election of the country' Ambassador to Vanuku, Boudewijn de Jong as his successor at the Foreign Affairs points to an even more "follow Vanuku" line. Dr Strijdom's view on slavery are also unclear, he abstained when a vote on a measure to gradually ban slavery was held two years ago. The late Rev. Kruger tended to go over Dr. Strijdom and conducted foreign policy himself, treating him an assistant and advisor.

[Reddy]

Dr. Strijdom's Gamble
September 2, 4129

Presiding Elder Dr. Pieter Strijdom has presented a plan to the Consistory to restore Saridan to economic and political health. The plan known as the "Strijdom Gamble" envisions pulling in Vanuku closer to help out in the country's economic recovery. The Presiding Elder who recently narrowly survived an assassination attempt by "Majatran looking gunmen" outside his home has gained a great deal of personal popularity in response to the event. Four armed men shot at the Presiding Elder's motorcade repeatedly and one of them is said to have yelled something about savages, possibly in reference to controversial Saridani Ambassador to the General Assembly, Rev. Geert Verdonk's description of the Brmek Queen Dowager Aisha as a "savage".

Dr. Strijdom's Gamble which involves the declaration of Saridan as a monarchy and offering the crown to a member of the reigning house of Vanuku. Prince Aldrkai, the latter nation's former Ambassador to the Security Council has been speculate on as the most likely candidate as he is popular in Saridan for his defence of the country's sovereignty. The two countries shares strong cultural ties and many wealthy and middle class Saridanis look up to Vanuku as a source of cultural inspiration. Only Dorvik and Darnussia come close in having such a strong cultural relationship with Saridan.


The royal crown of Saridan

Dr Strijdom apparently hopes that if Prince Aldrkai (Arend) accepts the crown, his father King Wrntukai III and his ministers will be more amenable to providing a large dollop of cash to help Saridan with its economic blues. Besides the country's in crisis and some strong leadership is necessary. The council form of government makes decision making very difficult and this obviously is particularly problematic in times of crisis. Conservatives in the Ameliorate Historical Union welcome the move to introduce a monarchy while liberals and moderates have been persuaded that it will be the first step towards greater reforms including a possible emancipation of slaves.

[Reddy]

Ambassador Assassinated
September 4, 4129


Rev. Geert Verdonk

Saridan's Ambassador to the World Congress Rev. Geert Verdonk has been murdered in mysterious circumstances which saw the regime's most visible defender of slavery mutilated after being injected with some kind of poison. His eyes and lips were missing from his corpse which was found at the Crown Hotel in Koeistad where he had been spotted entering earlier in the company a woman described as "exotic-looking". The assassination comes just days after an unsuccessful attempt on the Presiding Elder Dr. Strijdom's life. Ambassador Verdonk had last addressed the General Assembly, controversially insulting the Brmek Queen Dowager Aisha, a woman not known for a good temper. The controversial Ambassador was one of the fiercest defenders of Saridani slavery, often quoting and misquoting Annunciation verses and lore. A strong presence in the Ameliorate Historical Union and a former floor leader in the Consistory, his death robs hardliners of a key leader who many had hoped would return home permanently to marshal the anti-reform forces against Dr. Strijdom's reforms.

[Reddy]

Slavery Abolished In Saridan
August 3, 4131

Finally, Saridan has joined the community of civilised nations.