Solentia

[Nasrudin]

Delay in Solentian Withdrawal

[ReformedEndralon]

Peace deal brings an end to a quarter of century of conflict

June 5138

For 28 years Abadi insurgents have battled the United Ahmadi Salvation Front in northern Solentia, but after the Solentian Foreign Minister Wakman Kuchis visited his Kafuri counterpart in Kafuristan a deal has been reached between Solentia, Kafuristan and representatives of Abadi tribes to formally end fighting in northern Solentia. Legislation moving through the Majlis will be finalised by August 5138. The move will open up opportunities to increase cross-border trade between the two countries.



Celebratory gunfire in northern Solentia

Despite the reported delays in the departure of some Kafuri forces from northern Solentia, most UASF politicians are content that the agreement removes a well armed threat to the UASF, which simply can't compete with Kafrui air power.

UASF Consolidates Control

July 5138

The UASF has continued to seize control across urban Solentia, typically through co-opting local militias, tribes or warlords, aided by the ability to move UASF fighters from northern Solentia to other parts of the country. In port cities in eastern Solentia the UASF have been assisted by the presence of Private Security Contractors (PSC) who in some cases have been providing local security for over 15 years. The PSCs are typically linked to transport companies or the port authorities themselves and in recent years have often been supplied by security contractor companies based in Istalia.

Since the early 5110’s the Istalians have involved themselves in Solentia in different ways, with shadowy networks of former Istalian military and intelligence personnel offering their services to the UASF. Istalian businesses have retained an interest in port infrastructure in Solentia and the presence of PSC likely explains the relative tranquillity of the Solentian coasts compared to more war torn areas in the interior of the country.



Istalian Private Security Contractors in Eastern Solentia.

[ReformedEndralon]

The good news from Solentia…

Finance Ministry unveils new spending plans

December 5142

Following reports of a growing economy boosted by increased stability and a booming manufacturing capability, the Finance Ministry has announced amended tax and spending policies. The government has proposed increases in direct and indirect taxes, with a special focus on luxury goods, imports of which have boomed in recent years. The finance ministry plans to significantly raise government spending from 378 Billion to 616 Billion or from 13% of GDP to 21% of GDP. This reflects increasing stability in the country and the increasing confidence that the government has in overseeing increased trade and infrastructure investment.



Hospitals and schools are also to receive spending boosts

Despite these announcements recent policies put forward by the government have encouraged greater private provision of health care. Such policies recognise that Solentia remains a poor nation and that central government does not have the means to provide a wide level of welfare and healthcare provision outside of urban areas.

Reformed Solentian National Defence Forces

December 5142

The Emirate Ministry of Defence has released its detailed plans to establish a new National Defence Force for Solentia, incorporating elements of the United Ahmadi Salvation Front military forces along with other regional and political militias and elements of some Private Security Contractors.



A parade for a newly formed SNDF Armoured Unit

The governments aims to ensure that Solentia can defend its territorial integrity in the face of external opposition, defeat any remaining terrorist groups operating in Solentia, and to build the SNDF’s capabilities through the integration of more modern military equipment. The defence budget has recently been given a 50% increase in its size, amounting to an increase from 4.1% to 6.2% of Solentia’s GDP.

Cricket leagues restart in Solentia

December 5142

Cricket fans have something to celebrate as a national cricket league has been restarted after years without a national league to follow. Despite hard-line measures introduced by the governing United Ahmadi Salvation Front banning gambling, recreational drugs and alcohol, the ruling party are keen on sports and gave permission for a national league to be established for the summer season of 5142/5143.



A cricket stadium in Solentia

Since the late 4970’s Solentia has had three official sports with football, cricket and polo all given official status. It is likely that further efforts will be made to restart a national football league.

[ReformedEndralon]

And the bad news…

Mafia and drug cartel influence in Solentia increases

January 5142

The flow of drugs and other illicit goods has continued to flow out Solentia, providing criminal entities with massive profits. Over the last decade Solentia has been established as one of the largest growers of opium in Terra, and Solentian ports are rife with drugs smugglers, both large multinationals and small scale opportunist.



Luxury vehicles imported into Solentia

This illicit wealth is reflected in booming sales of luxury goods such as high end cars. The Solentian government has little interest in clamping down on such activity, indeed the government is only interest in taking a larger slice of the profits through taxation on high end goods. A government spokesmen said

We are not concerned by the growing of opium. We have made sure that such such harmful substances cannot be consumed in Solentia. Who cares if degenerates in other parts of Terra wish to use such forbidden substances.

Misery for Solentian Women

January 5142

The government of Solentia has continued with its crackdown on any freedoms that Solentian women may have enjoyed. Measures introduced in recent years include the enforcement of traditional Ahmadi dress codes and the legalisation of arranged marriage. Although the government maintain two female ministers for Health and Social Services and the Environment, women have largely been pushed out of the public domain.



Women in rural Solentia in traditional clothing

Matters are slightly different in urban areas, particularly in the larger cities in coastal areas where and south-western Caistra province, where women enjoy greater freedoms. However in rural areas of the north-west and central regions women suffer from extreme conservative interpretations of Ahmadi social teaching and the highly conservative Solentiwali tribal customs which have often been used as a cover for honour killings and other such atrocities.

Human Rights Group Reports Mistreatment of Asli Continues In Solentia

January 5142

The Majatran Asli are a forgotten minority across much of eastern Majatra. The descendants of migrants brought from areas in vicinity of Talmoria, they form small populations in Kafuristan, Solentia and Kalopia. Historically the Asli were often used as household servants, or more widely as slaves, reflected in the fact that the colloquial term for Asli in the Majatran language is “Abd”, a term with the historic meaning of slave. Although over thousands of years many of the Asli have been absorbed into local populations, in some areas there remain distinct communities.



Solentian Asli protesting against poor labour conditions

Human rights groups operating in Solentia allege that the Asli continue to have dreadful life outcomes, often living in extreme poverty, forced participation in menial jobs such as house servants and subject to harsh treatment from their fellow Solentians. The reimposition of slavery in 5138 as a punishment has also disproportionately affected the poorer Asli community who’re often given significantly harsh punishments for small misdemeanours.

[ReformedEndralon]

Solentia Exposes Saridani Slavery Plot

August 5143

The Solentian Ministry of the Interior has exposed a diobolical plot by a senior Saridani official Louw Swanepoel to purchase hundreds of thousands of Solentians as slaves. The notorious atheist Saridani regime offered 900million Lods for the purchase of 200,000 Solentians to be transferred to Saridan. Saridan has a history of racist regimes and it appears the Saridanis are up to their old tricks once more.



Solentian Ministry of the Interior Spokesman

The spokesman detailed that slavery was only legal in Solentia as a punishment for crime, as consistent with the Sharia from the Book of Bliss. He also detailed that there was a warrant out for the arrest of Loue Swanepoel, and if he ever came to Solentia he would be punished with enslavement.

[Sir Thomas Hill]

S A H I L . P O S T | T H E . D A I L Y . E D I T I O N
A NEW DAWN ~ Moderate coalition calls for "national pause" amidst Governmental collapse
June 5160

The sun rises in rural Nalia

ODA - A coalition of so-called moderate political and economic leaders has called for a "national pause" amidst chaos as the Ahmadi Salvation Front leaders seemingly abandon Government. It has been several years since the ASF leaders left Oda amidst demonstrations. The last elections in Sahil were postponed as civil servants and technocrats running the economy and public services feared for violence.

While Sahil has been fortunate not to have descended into civil war, it is clearer than ever that there is a nation-wide appetite to put a break on several decades of conflict. This new moderate coalition, made up of both Ahmadi moderates seeking to end violent uprisings, and an ever-declining Luthorian-speaking population who have been absent from the political landscape for some time and are left with generational apathy and frustration, has organised in the wake.

One part of the coalition is a restoration of a once-majority ideology known as "Unionism". Unionists, a Luthori-speaking political faction, once governed Solentia. Their descendants have largely remained in the Luthori-speaking communities all around Solentia in exile. One prominent reason Unionism seems to be a part of the coalition's potential goal for Solentian national unity, are its traditional doctrines and pro-majatranism. Several Ahmadi and Majatrans led the Unionist bloc in its many centuries in power. It is therefore felt by some that by upholding a Unionist message, which places national social and economic unity above all else, a peaceful solution can be found.

The coalition, styling itself the "tahaluf alwahdat alwatania", or Alliance for National Unity, is led by two co-chairman, one from each of the two communities; Majatran/Ahmadi and Luthori/Istalian. It is the aspiration of the coalition that a government of national unity can be established with equal leaders from each of the two communities coming together and finding a workable solution to end generations of conflict, violence and shame.

[ReformedEndralon]

Emir Passes Away

May 5197

After presiding over fifty years of relative peace Emir Ilderim Khan recently passed away in his sleep from complications associated with old age. Ilderim Khan came to power in 5150, a significant chieftain from Sastain, he had emerged as a key figure in the United Ahmadi Salvation Front. After decades of civil war the UASF and Emir Khan presided over five decades of relative peace. Although Solentia remains a poor state by Terran standards, quality of life has improved in the last five decades and this is largely due to the unheard of political stability.



The state funeral saw an outpouring of emotion

The state funeral was attended by a number of Heads of State from Majatran neighbours. The formal event although dignified, was marred by political manoeuvring between figures within the UASF. The UASF had been moribund as a political organisation for several decades as the previous Emir preferenced a technocratic and bueacratic governing style. However without an acknowledged successor, the UASF is likely to call new elections to ratify constitutional changes separating the role of Emir and Wazir, making the Emir a hereditary role associated with the Khan family and confirming the Wazir as dominant within a cabinet system of government.

[Aethan]

Kalopian ministers of Foreign Affairs and Science and Technology begin an international tour to attract the last remaining nations to sign the Gene and Seed Vault Treaty (http://classic.particracy.net/viewtreat ... atyid=4798)

[ReformedEndralon]

Emir Wakeem ascends to the throne

January 5246

After the death of Emir Batoor Khan, his nephew Wakeem Khan has been chosen by the Loya Jirga to succeed him as Emir of Solentia. Emir Batoor followed his father Emir Ilderim in 5197 and has reigned for 49 years during which he oversaw a period of stability, although largely through governing in an autocratic manner without routine elections.



The Loya Jirga acclaimed Wakeem Khan as the new Emir after several days of discussions

The Loya Jirga is the name of the legislature of Solentia and traces its ancestry to unelected bodies of tribal and religious leaders who from time to time were called to advise the rulers of Solentia. The name was used as part of the process of Majatranisation of Solentia.

The new Emir had been a key figure in the previous regime, was a senior officer in the Solentian Armed Forces and had also represented Solentia at cricket, which is a prominent national sport.



The new Emir Wakeem Khan at his coronation ceremony

In his first formal address to the people of Solentia Emir Wakeem detailed that he would work to honour the memory of his uncle and grandfather, the previous two Emirs. He added he longed for positive relations with Solentia’s neighbours and wished to oversee continued peace between the different tribal, ethnic and religious groups of Solentia. The new Emir also outlined that new elections would be called for later in the year and political parties would be allowed to compete under the banner of the United Ahmadi Salvation Front.

[ReformedEndralon]

Emir Wakeem introduces progressive legislation to the Loya Jirga

June 5246

The new Emir, following the success of the United Ahmadi Salvation Front which was a vehicle for royalists in the recent elections, has put forward a large number of reforms which aim to introduce progressive policies to Solentia.

Amongst other areas the Emir has proposed;

- The abolition of slavery as a punishment
- Increased rights for females, including rights to divorce and work
- Liberalising of passport controls for Solentian and foreign nationals
- Increased freedoms for religious minorities



Emir Wakeem discusses his proposals with the Loya Jirga

Backlash from conservatives

Although the Emir’s cabinet is supportive of the proposals and the media in the capital has generated support, there have been fierce denunciations of the proposals from some conservative tribal leaders and religious figures. One religious figure detailed that the proposals completely underlined the basis of Ahmadi Emirate, and that perhaps the country no longer needed an Emir. He was later arrested.



Conservative hardliners have whipped up opposition to the proposals in some cities