Istapali

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Re: Istapalian Citizen

Postby jamescfm » Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:03 pm

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Fall of Montezuma Ends Conflict
Military-led forces capture Istapalian capital and begin reorganising the country's political system to consolidate power

Thursday 13th February, 4501
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Military forces loyal to Istapali's transitional government, formed after a military coup, have captured the national capital Montezuma from the elected government led by Tlazohpan Manicoh after a ten-month long siege, bringing an end to a civil war which has ravaged the country over the last two years. Since last year, the capital was the only territory remaining under the control of "democratic forces", with the rest of the country controlled either by the transitional government or the insurgent Istapali Unity Movement (ISTUMO).
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Above: A volunteer searches through the rubble of a building destroyed during the siege of Montezuma by military forces loyal to Istapali's transitional government
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Since taking control of the city, the new government has begun an attempt to stabilise the country and consolidate their power. Members of the Manicoh government and many soldiers loyal to the administration have been arrested and are believed to be facing imminent execution. Tizoc Xochipan, the transitional government's president, has declared that the nation is once again at peace and that a new constitution is in the process of being approved which will "ensure the peace and prosperity of the Istapali people for all eternity".

Under the terms of an agreement signed in the early stages of the civil war, ISTUMO will be given a role in the governance of the northeastern region of the country along the border with Suyu Llaqta. The group's leader Nopaltzin Zalli appeared in a public broadcast with Xochipan to celebrate the capture of Montezuma. The Llaqta and Liori governments, who actively supported the anti-democratic alliance throughout the civil war, have made statements of congratulations to the new government and welcomed the President to their respective capitals to discuss regional cooperation.

In contrast, the governments of Cifutingan, Midway and Degalogesa among others have issued harsh condemnations of the new regime in Istapali, calling it undemocratic and threatening to expand economic sanctions implemented over the course of the conflict. Concerns are already being raised about the possibility of the one of the largest nations in Dovani aligning itself with the "Axis of Sovereignty", a defensive alliance composed of Utari Mosir, Suyu Llaqta and Liore.
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Istapali Frontline News is a network of journalists collecting information from the heart of the Istapalian civil war in order to provide objective reporting on the situation.
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Re: Istapalian Citizen

Postby Rogue » Sat Jan 04, 2020 7:42 am

Istapalian Citizen
Abdala Hamisi wins presidency, pledges "new era" for Istapali

4th March 4690

Abdala Hamisi, former journalist and now considered a populist/liberal politician has been elected president of Istapali. With over 61% of the vote (around 40 million votes in total) Hamisi won over incumbent Socialist Party president Mnotho Mvelo. Hamisi, who ran as a independent, had been a political journalist for decades. Being arrested and prosecuted several times by different governments Hamisi now believed the "endless corruption and destruction of our freedoms and rights could not persist". He ran as a independent but was considered by many to be a populist, running on a platform of Societal renewal, anti corruption and liberalism. Hamisi promised to end the corruption within the federal government and to issue a grand program of liberalization, allowing the different constituent states to determine on very sensitive traditional issues while granting basic federal freedoms such as freedom of expression and religion on the federal level.

There is one problem however as Hamisi does not have a single seat in parliament to back his plans, as a independent he had not run on a party ticket (despite the Liberal Progressive Party offering him to run on theirs). While the Liberal Progressives and the Social Left party's would likely be inclined to support most of his proposals this would not give him nearly enough seats for a majority. This has forced Hamisi to, upon his election, announce the creation of his own party to contest the federal parliamentary election to be held in 3 months. This new party, named Popular Will, will run on a mostly liberal and populist platform.

With Hamisi arranging his cabinet and awaiting the next election many look with great interest in the upcoming parliamentary elections which will likely determine the fate of the new president.

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newly elected President Hamisi after getting the results, celebrating with some of his supporters
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Re: Istapalian Citizen

Postby Rogue » Sun Jan 12, 2020 2:02 pm

Istapalian Citizen
New "Popular Will" party wins absolute majority in parliament, Hamisi proposes "federal freedom act"

10th April 4691 (Postdated)

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The Federal Assembly of Istapali during the vote on the Federal Freedom Act

Kalibaka: The new "Popular Will" party, a populist-liberal party created by president Hamisi, has won a absolute majority in the Istapali Senate and Federal Assembly. The new party was created by president Hamisi following his electoral victory as a independent candidate last year. The need for his own party was great as without it he was unlikely to be able to pass any major legislation. With his promise to end corruption, grant federal citizens basic rights and freedoms and hand more authority over to the individual states he managed to get his Popular Will party to victory, winning over 372 seats of the 689 in the Federal Assembly and over 78 of the 150 seats in the Senate. The until now dominant Socialist Party lost over 60% of its seats winning only 132 seats in the Federal Assembly and 24 seats in the senate. The Liberal Progressives, thanks to the rise of the liberal Popular Will, lost all its seats in the senate and only won 40 seats in the Assembly a result that is seen as the worst result for the party in decades.

A new party has also risen in Istapali politics. As the conservatives within the nation felt not represented by the overwhelmingly centrist to left wing political field. The new party named the "Conservative People's Front" won 145 seats in the Federal Assembly, making them the second largest party there. They also came in the senate as a significant force, winning 48 of the 150 seats also making them the second largest party there.

With the new composition of congress Hamisi immediately got to work. Giving his party in the Assembly the draft of the "Federal Freedom Act". The act would grant the freedom of press, expression, assembly and religion to everyone within the country. This would however require a two third majority in congress, something which seemed unlikely at first. However, seeing the immense electoral defeat as a sign that they need to change, the Socialist Party under its new leader Taji Baraka, made a deal with president Hamisi and the Popular Will party. The deal included a pledge of the president and his party now to privatize the national railways or the healthcare system, in exchange for Socialist Party support for the FFA. This deal was rejected by 1 Socialist Party senator but this would not case many problems as it would still grant the constitutional ammendment a one vote majority in the senate and a wide majority within the Assembly.
The bill was passed earlier this week with many people celebrating, seeing it as a first step to a less corrupt and more free society.

In addition to this Hamisi and his party also went on to pass a new budget for the country as well as a economic bill aimed at privatizing the defense industry and most airports as well as lowering regulations on bussiness transactions, the construction industry and bussiness in general. The plan would also cut income taxes on low incomes by 2% and middle incomes by 1.4%, with the hope that these deregulations, privatizations and lowering in taxes will encourage economic growth and development within the nation. Economists are positive about the proposed changes and eagerly await the progress reports on the Istapali economy. Currently the growth of the Istapali economy is estimated to be in the negative with a rate of -0.42% growth and a unemployment rate stagnating at around 16%.
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Re: Istapalian Citizen

Postby Rogue » Sat Jan 25, 2020 4:35 pm

Istapalian Citizen
Hamisi narrowly reelected for third term

16th January 4701

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President Hamisi explaining his promised military reforms to the press

Kalibaka: Istapalian populist and liberal president Hamisi has won his third election by a narrow margin. The sitting president won by only 2.000 votes from his opponnent Kabila Imari from the Conservative People's Party. Several former supporters of Hamisi stated their "dissapointment" with Hamisi his inability to truly make the Istapali economy work. While under Hamisi his rule the Istapalian economy finally grew for the first time in a decade (growing by 0.52% last year) this growth was still far from what Istapali needed and the unemployment rate actually got higher, growing to 17% last year. While Hamisi is popular for his liberal policies and his "Federal Protections" this does not outweigh the negatives of his presidency. With this tiny margin many analysts seem to suggest that Hamisi his party, Popular Will, will almost certainly lose its majority in both houses of parliament. This will give Hamisi even less space to push for reform and many expect this term to therefor be his last.

Hamisi did however promise to work with the conservatives and Socialist Party in passing military reforms and work with the Ministry of Defense to further train the armed forces. This proposal mainly comes from Istapali ambitions to become a active "protector of civilization" within Dovani and its neighbours, having a ready and able armed force to do that is highly important said Hamisi in a earlier statement. This focus on the armed forces will mostly be placed on the Army, while the navy will barely get new funds or attention. No plans on the Airforce have been released as well, likely suggesting that there is only room for Army improvements in the tight budget of the Liberal government.
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Re: Istapali

Postby Auditorii » Mon Jul 06, 2020 11:56 pm

Kalibaka Today
January, 4781 Election results
January, 4781

Kalibaka - Election results have been reported by the Ministry of the Interior and Public Administration, the newly elected President of the Federal Republic of Istapali Habib Hodari, an ethnic Kitembo won the vote over his rival and incumbent Amosa Elikia. Hodari who ran on a platform of anti-corruption, economic revival and rebuilding trust in the public administration won the vote with over 75% of the entire vote. Hodari in his victory speech thanked his opponent and the outgoing President but noted that without his efforts the first peaceful transition in several decades would not be possible. The incoming President's political movement, known as the Union for the Salvation of the Republic (USR), is a big-tent political party that leans center-right according to its own members. The 500 member Parliament of the Federal Republic also saw its elections take place, the new President's party capture 200 seats in the Parliament, giving it a huge lead in the new President's legislative agenda. The second largest party is the outgoing President's party, the Istapali Democratic People's Movement (IDPM) came in second with 79 seats. Third place went to the Unified Communist Party of Istapali-East Dovani (UCPIED) with 78 seats, making them a slight third, People's Union-Democratic Party (PUPD) won 47 seats, Socialist Movement for Liberation (SML) won 39 seats, Political Movement for Istapali (PMI) won 35 seats and political independents won the remaining 22 seats.

It is expected that the new government will be a coalition between the President's Union for the Salvation of the Republic, the People's Union-Democratic party and Political Movement for Istapali for a total of 282 seats, giving them a commanding lead over most legislation. It is likely that the outgoing President's party will be cautiously supportive of the new administration, President-elect Hodari called for "unity" among all political parties and offered to sit down with the "Istapali Liberation Front" which is a political alliance of the Istapali Democratic People's Movement, Unified Communist Party of Istapali-East Dovani and the Socialist Movement for Liberation. They make up the second largest political alliance in the Parliament, combining for a total of 196 seats.
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Re: Istapali

Postby Auditorii » Tue Jul 07, 2020 2:43 am

Kalibaka Today
Official Language Act passed; President appoints Baraka PM
February, 4781

Kalibaka - President Hodari announced that the Parliament had adopted the "Official Language Act" in a 493-7-0 vote. The Official Language Act formalizes the national language of Istapali, it provides that Kitembo (Swahili) and Hulstrian (Austrian German) as the official languages of the nation, if recognizes several other languages including Dovani Majatran (African Arab), Keobi (Igbo), Orun (Yoruba), Watembo (Somali), Huhoa (Hausa) and Douwu (Chicewa) as recognized languages in the Federal Republic of Istapali. The President was applauded at the signing of the bill at the Parliament building, according to the President the act is "temporary" until an actual census can be conducted across the country, namely recognizing all minorities within Istapali and classifying each language and culture to ensure that all are represented. The Parliament, largely divided between the supporters of the President and those who are in favor of the Federal Republic and the Istapali Liberation Front, are divided over several issues including cultural practices that the President has called to outlaw with some exceptions. The President, fresh off his first official act as President in proposing the Official Language Act and working with members of the Parliament to get it passed, announced that the Parliament had approved his selections for a government. The new Istapali government will include:

Council of Ministers of the Federal Republic of Istapali
Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Istapali - Amani Baraka (Kitembo)
First Deputy Prime Minister - Hamzah Shehu (Huhoa)
Deputy Prime Minister - Arkaan al-Kazmi (Dovani Majatran)
Minister of National Defense - General Eli Hanif (Kitembo)
Minister of Justice and Human Rights - Ya'eesh el-Selim (Dovani Majatran)
Minister of Foreign and Regional Affairs - Oyindamola Temidare (Orun)
Minister of the Interior and Public Administration - Danasabe Hajari (Huhoa)
Minister of Economics, Planning and International Cooperation - Azhaar el-Momin (Dovani Majatran)
Minister of Finance and Budget - Okonkwo Agu (Keobi)
Minister of Health, Social Services and Population - Azima Duma (Kitembo)
Minister of Sports and the Youth - Chuks Ijeawele (Keobi)
Minister of Religious Affairs - Sheikh Abdul Khaliq al-Harron (Dovani Majatran)
Minister of Education, Culture and Art - Kamari Haoniyao (Kitembo)
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing - Chidee Oby (Keobi)
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development - Keanjaho Sefu (Kitembo)
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources - Siwazuri Azizi (Kitembo)
Minister of the Environment and Ecological Affairs - Uzoma Nwoye (Keobi)
Minister of Transportation and Civil Aviation - Reth Danladi(Huhoa)
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Affairs - Mukhtaar al-Obeid (Dovani Majatran)
Governor of the Central Bank of Istapali - Faraji Badru (Kitembo)

Reference: Dovani Majatran (African Arab), Kitembo (Swahili), Keobi (Igbo), Orun (Yoruba), Watembo (Somali), Huhoa (Hausa) and Douwu (Chicewa)
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Re: Istapali

Postby Rogue » Mon Jan 18, 2021 1:50 pm

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OOC Source: Inkanyiso

Kalibaka: The National Assembly has, after much anticipation, voted in favour of the new constitution which was proposed almost 2 years ago. The new constitution, consisting of 22 articles, guarentees the freedom of speech, press, assembly and others. It furthermore overhauls the entire system of government in an effort to create, "a stable but firm system of government able to withstand the test of time." Many had complained over the years that the current semi-presidential system caused major problems for any effective government to take shape. Furthermore the complex federal system also increased the burden of the bureaucracy. With the new constitution many administrative divisions will be abolished in favour of just two, the states and the federal cities. These states will be newly drawn and will receive far stretching autonomy on most domestic issues. They will have a directly elected Governor, legislature and a independent judiciary and are only bound by the federal constitution, military and currency. They may operate their own police forces and a military police force named the State Garisson. Furthermore the mostly proportional system of electing representatives on state and federal level will be replaced with a FPTP system, with the candidate that wins the most votes becoming the representative from that district or state. The parliament will also be changed from a unicameral to a bicameral legislature, with every state getting 2 seats in the senate regardless of population and the 530 seats in the new Federal Assembly being divided amongst the states depending on their population.

A new system for electing the president will also be introduced, called the electoral college. This new system has been used before in Lourenne and Deltaria and creates a system of electors allocated to states based on population. These electors will, according to the new constitution, be bound to vote for the candidate that received the most votes in their state. The candidate with a majorrity electoral votes wins the presidency. The constitution thus completely changes the way Istapali government will work. Proponents of the changes believe that they will bring a more stable and democratic system of government to Istapali while some opponents believe that it is a way for the ruling party, the Democratic Republicans, to maintain their hold on power more easily. One thing is for sure, this new constitution will guarentee basic freedoms and rights, something that hasnt been done in Istapali before.

The first election for both the Federal Assembly, Senate and Presidency is scheduled for later this year. The New Labour Party is running Mirat Absimil, a former law teacher, as their candidate while incumbent president Inko Garaar has decalred he will run for reelection under the new system, together with his Democratic Republican party. While Garaar used to be popular his popularity has dwindled due to corruption allegations. Some see this new system as a way for him to cling onto power, but polls show him falling short against Absimil, which would mean a change of power in Istapali. Manty are excited to see what may come of this new system of government and how bright Istapali's future may look.
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Re: Istapali

Postby Rogue » Mon Jan 18, 2021 4:31 pm

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OOC Source: Twitter

Kalibaka: Mirat Absimil, former law teacher to the university of Kalibaka, has won the first electoral college presidential election against incumbent president Inko Garaar with a large popular vote margin. Absimil, who ran for the New Labour Party, won with over 54% of the vote and 141 electoral votes, 8 more then needed to win the presidency. While polls had indicated a Absimil win, thanks in part to his strong support in the densely populated south, it is still a notable shift and a loss for the ruling Democratic Republicans. The DRP had been in power for over 20 years and had expected the new constitutional changes to work in their favour. Besides Absimil winning the presidency his party has also won control over both the Senate and the Federal Assembly with 38 seats won in the senate and 275 seats won in the Assembly. This will allow the president-elect to quickly push through his cabinet nominees and lay out his agenda, allowing him a full trifecta of government for at least 4 years until the next Assembly election. Absimil had run on a platform of national renewal, promising to protect the new constitution, launch major programs to improve the Istapalian economy and create a water management agency to safeguard Istapali its water stockpile, something that is extremely important for the dessert nation. He also plans on a large infrastructure program, meant to further the goal of water preservation and better connect rural and urban communities with eachother. While Absimil just won he had already promised to nominate Kajwang Atieno to the position of Secretary of Foreign Relations. Atieno is a nationally known figure mostly due to his work as Police Chief in Northern Istapali. His diplomatic way of doing things allowed him to broker a deal with several tribes to combat drug trafficking in the sparcely populated north, "Atieno will open Istapali to the wider region and world and allow us to create better bonds, greater opportunity and far reaching prosperity." Said Absimil during a campaign rally. Atieno is the only confirmed nominee of the new administration with more names likely to be released in the coming month.

In little over 4 months Absimil and his administration will take office. In the Federal Assembly the Speaker will likely be 62 year old Mũnene Mwai, who will thus also become Vice President. This means that Absimil will have a fellow Labour member as Vice president, likely making it even easier to govern. Sitting president Garaar has called Absimil to congratulate him on his victory and send out a public statement which read, "My administration will work with the upcoming administration of president-elect Absimil to ensure a smooth transition in 4 months. We congratulate him and his team on winning the election."

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The electoral college results, with Absimil winning thanks to flipping the eastern state of Mamaku (based on popular vote results in the previous proportional election)

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Re: Istapali

Postby Rogue » Tue Jan 19, 2021 12:22 pm

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OOC Source: Just Security

Kalibaka: Mirat Absimil has been formally inaugurated as President of Istapali with thousands of his supporters in attendance in the capital of Kalibaka. He gave a major speech, pledging a move from conservative policies in favour of policies that, "renew the social fabric of our nation." He made the speech in the official language of Istapali, Dundorfian, but had it translated in a variety of native tongues as to show that he is a president for all that live in Istapali. Absimil his speech was seen as one filled with hope, outlining his electoral program and what he hopes for the future of the nation, "Let us rewrite our history and show the cynics that our country, with its diversity and determination, is beautifull in every sense of the word." His electoral program included heavy investments into growing the Istapali economy, creating a variety of government agencies to regulate vital industries, overhaul the water management system in Istapali to prevent large scale drought and invest heavily in the nations infrastructure which, according to Absimil, is vital for the continued growth and connectivity of the nation. On this last point of his program Absimil went in further, promising that in his first 100 days in office he will reveal and roll out a plan for major expansions and improvements of the railway network in Istapali, saying that, "Our nation is one of heat, vastness and large populations. As has been demonstrated in the past our highways are ill suited to transport our goods and people, that is why it is my intention of starting to create a vast railway network for both passengers and goods in my first 100 days in office to ensure that our people are connected and our businesses can transport their goods through the cities and desserts alike!"

After the inauguration was complete early leaks of the plan were handed to the press, showing a multi billion plan to create a new railway company and a variety of new railway lines for passengers and freight transport. Besides important policy pitches the inauguration of Absimil was also followed by the full reveal of Absimil his cabinet which will, for the first time in Istapali history, include a female secretary. The full list of nominees was published in the state papers shortly after the inauguration:

Secretary of Defense - Sooyaan Bakad

Secretary of Education - Jojo Corr

Secretary of National Development - Fabba Jaiteh

Secretary of National Security - Musa Thiaw

Secretary of Foreign Relations - Kajwang Atieno

Secretary of Economic Affairs - Alifa Biri

Secretary of Justice - Pateh Sesay

Secretary of Trade and Industry - Gereh Diouf

Secretary of Health - Aamin Cilmi

Secretary of Agriculture - Yabaal Tawakal


The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary for Foreign Relations have already been confirmed by the NLP controlled senate. The remaining secretaries pending confirmation are likely to be confirmed within the week, giving Absimil his full prefered cabinet to work with.
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Re: Istapali

Postby Rogue » Tue Jan 19, 2021 6:49 pm

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OOC Source: Urban Pixxels

Kalibaka: Just one month after his inauguration President Absimil has already delivered on one of his most urgent promises. Late yesterday afternoon the Senate voted in favour of the PaliRail Act, which had passed the Federal Assembly a week before. Around 50 senators voted in favour, with 14 voting against. It marks the first major piece of legislation passed by the Istapalian Parliament. The PaliRail Act includes over 200 billion in funding spread out over the next 9 years. It puts a detailed plan on the table to rebuild and greatly expand the Istapali railroad network. Experts had stated for years that the previous governments policy of focussing on road construction did not work in Istapali, as its vast terrain combined with the extreme heat in the middle of the country caused road journey's to take to long and roads to be to costly to maintain. Rail transport, they argued, is much more effective to transport both goods and people through Istapali. With the PaliRail act a renewed focus on the railway network is thus on the horizon. The 200 billion allocated in the bill will be used to create a new state owned railway company named "PaliRail" which will be tasked with managing the vast new railway network, coordinate its construction as well as operate the civilian transport on the network. PaliRail will receive a annual 15 billion to do so, which is expected to be enough for now. The remaining 185 billion will be pumped into repairing the current network for optimal use but most of the money will be spend building the new networks which include expansions of the transnational railroad, the creation of the completely new Central Railroad system and the expansion/addition of intermediate stations on all existing and new railroads. Construction work on the project will last a estimated 9 years.

To maintain the vast new network the bill also created the "TrackCheck" company, which will be a semi-private company with the government as its largest shareholder. TrackCheck will receive a annual 10 billion to maintain the vast network of railways. They will do this by continiously monitoring its status and training their personel to deal with the conditions that the istapali network will be facing. TrackCheck will be obligated to work with PaliRail for maintaining the network, as to ensure minimal downtime and optimal travellers comfort for the civilian part of the tracks.

President Absimil released a statement following the passing of the PaliRail Act saying that, "this marks a new period of connectivity, economic opportunity and social progress for the Federal Republic. We will continue to work for the betterment of the nation and the renewal of our national fabric."

The Democratic Republican leadership issued a statement saying they, "Regret the governments attitude of total state control over our national railway system. We stand by the previous system of state control over their own networks and oppose this flagrant disregard for our federal structure of government."

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The map of the new network, released after the passing of the PaliRail Act
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