Cobura

[Akhenaten]

Cobura Addresses Deltarian Crisis

Lord Kharakhte Saksoure denounces the Communist government of Deltaria in yesterday's public address.

March 24th, 3948--Yesterday, Cobura formally condemned the Communist takeover of Deltaria. Cobura and Deltaria became formally allied in 3936 with the ratification of the Deltaria-Cobura Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, in hopes of bolstering the economic and military power of both nations. The agreement now appears to be in jeopardy, with the radical Communist group Združenie Robotníkov Deltársko threatening to execute the Deltarian Czar Jozef II. In a rare personal address, Lord of Cobura Kharakhte Saksoure announced his nation's support for Deltaria and the Czar.

"The Czar is a Coburan ally and has done nothing to deserve this fate. He has committed no crime. Cobura will regard an execution as an act of murder and as a violation of international law, should the terrorists be foolish enough to carry out their threats. We call for the whole of Majatra to unite against these barbaric terrorists and allow peace to be returned to Deltaria. We must not allow Deltaria to fall under the curtain of Communist tyranny."

The Communist takeover has had other implications for Cobura, with the provisional Deltarian government leaking Czarist state secrets after Cobura announced their refusal to recognize the new regime. Leaked diplomatic cables reveal that Cobura was allowed to begin manufacturing the D-84M main battle tank and the M21 assault rifle, as well as other military equipment of Deltarian origin under provisions outlined Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Purportedly, the plan will allow Cobura to manufacture 1000 of the tanks, over a period of likely 25 years, a process started in secret five years ago. The specific reason for the leak was Cobura's refusal to continue paying agreed licensing fees to the new Deltarian government. Coburan Vizier of Defense Babikir al-Darbi addressed the media shortly after the leak.

"We had plans to formally announce the deal at a later time, but all production was in the trial stage, and full scale production did not begin until very recently. All licensing fees will be paid to Deltaria once the rightful government is restored, but His Exalted Majesty has no intention of using tax dollars to fund a terrorist organization. The program will continue as planned. I suggest the terrorists not do anything foolish in an attempt to collect these fees; the consequences would be swift and deadly."

[Akhenaten]

Cobura Celebrates 100th Anniversary of the Kingdom


Lord Kharakhte Saksoure and Grand Vizier Stefano Kourtiko preside over the military parade.

January 10th, 3957—Almost 100 years ago, on July 1st, 3957 Iskinder Saksoure, with the support of the Coburan people and legislature, abolished the Federal Democratic Republic of Cobura and established the Kingdom of Cobura, recognizing the Republic’s failure to ensure equal rights and opportunities for the indigenous Irkawans and Mallans. To ensure that Cobura would become a truly fair society, Iskinder became the first Lord of Cobura since the time of the Irkawan kingdom, and declared that the House of Saksoure would be forever devoted to ensuring the harmony of Coburan society. The House of Saksoure has since done much to restore order in other Esintsundu-majority nations that had been plagued by instability, freeing Ibutho from Communist tyranny and making peace with Ahmadist insurgents in Talmoria.

On January 5th, His Exalted Majesty Lord Kharakhte has announced that the year 3957 will be a year of jubilee, a celebration of the Kingdom of Cobura’s centennial and the many accomplishments of the House of Saksoure over its hundred years of existence. Both Ibutho and Talmoria have sent delegations to attend the festival. Those attending include Her Majesty Khethiwe, Queen Mother of Ibutho and His Majesty Mohammed II Saksoure, King of Talmoria. The newly reinstated Czar of Deltaria has also been invited for his country's aid to the Coburan people.

Celebrations began today with a parade in Sharba, Irkawa, displaying Cobura’s rapidly developing military. The main attraction of the parade was the showcase of the first 300 D-84M tanks to roll off the assembly line, accompanied by a regiment of 3,000 marching soldiers. His Exalted Majesty Lord Kharakhte presided over the parade in full military dress from his tenure as an officer in the army, accompanied by his Grand Vizier, Stefano Kourtiko. Events to come include cultural exchanges from both Ibutho and Talmoria. A conference on the governance of the three nations controlled by the Saksoure dynasty has been scheduled to take place at the end of the initial round of festivities. A victory stela in the style of the ancient Irkawans is being constructed to commemorate the centennial and is scheduled to be completed by July 1st, 3957.

[Celebrations can be followed here: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6511]

[Akhenaten]

Grand Vizier Denounces Embargo of Al-Badara
January 12th, 3958

Kefr, Dilganato—Cobura had long remained silent on the Chann invasion of Kafuristan. Although many Coburan Majatrans called for His Exalted Majesty Lord Kharakhte to make a statement regarding what they consider an occupation of their holy land, the government had taken a non-interventionist approach, hoping the situation would sort itself out. But it appears that the recent wave of propaganda from the Chann Republic leading to a multi-nation embargo of Badara was the final straw. Today Grand Vizier Stefano Kourtikio appeared in capital of the nome of Dilganato, which has the highest Ahmadi population of all Cobura’s nomes, giving an impassioned speech announcing that Cobura will take a stand against the Chann occupation.

Hello, people of Kefr. As you are no doubt aware, there is a great injustice taking place in eastern Majatra. The Chann dynasty has invaded Kafuristan and taken the country, under the guise of ridding the nation of terrorism. They paint themselves as liberators, and claim that without their influence, Kafuristan could never have been freed from the shackles of ‘Ahmadi extremism’. Their blatant condescension shocks me. Kafuristan has had numerous moderate governments in the past. Even the government they overthrew was moderate! The radicals that have arisen are a product of the occupation, and I can hardly blame them. I'm sure if a foreign power invaded Cobura and called themselves liberators, we would do the same.

The Channs have invaded Kafuristan solely for political gain, and now they have set their sights on Badara. There is one reason only for their embargo against Badara; they seek to conquer that nation as they have Kafuristan. Their goal is to economically cripple Badara and send their in own private army to annex the nation and make it part of their so called Republic. That is clear as day. And under what pretense does the Chann Republic start this embargo? They, again, claim that Badara is run by Ahmadi extremists. But I look at the Nationalist Party for the Majatran Resurrection, as I’m sure you all do, and I see no extremism. Badara’s only crime was identifying the Chann Republic for what it truly is: an occupation, and an apartheid regime. Badara did something unacceptable to the Chann Republic; they revealed the truth to the world, and now the Channs must cover it up. So what do they do? They spread lies and deceit, and paint the Badaran government as an extremist regime when it is no such thing. And unfortunately their strategy appears to be working, as numerous governments have taken the bait. Their treaty gains signatories each day.

His Exalted Majesty’s government recognizes the concerns many of you have had for quite some time. We can no longer sit idly by and allow Kafuristan to suffer under foreign occupation, and allow the Channs to establish an imperialist empire. Cobura’s own history of injustice makes that very clear. We hope other nations will soon come to their senses and cease supporting their regime. Thank you.

Cobura joins Trigunia in denouncing the Chann Republic. It is not clear what action Cobura will take next. Many analysts feel that it is unlikely that Cobura would support the current Kafuri opposition party, the Popular Front, due to its extremist tendencies, but would likely support a less radical group, or even the Popular Front if they ceased calling for suicide attacks.

[Akhenaten]

Lord Kharakhte Abdictates the Throne of Ibutho, Issues Warning to Rebels
Heed our words, or you will pay in blood.

February 1st, 3977

Lord Kharakhte Saksoure made his first public appearance in five years to address the unrest shaking Ibutho. His Exalted Majesty convened a meeting of the Coburan Royal Assembly to make a shocking announcement: he will abdictate the throne of Ibutho in order to end the violence. All Royalist forces have been ordered to stand down. In return, His Exalted Majesty demanded that the rebels allow members of the Royal Family in Ibutho safe passage out of the country. Lord Kharakhte Saksoure then delivered a message with a fervor not seen since speech regarding the brief Deltarian coup, when he was a much younger man:

You will allow Our family safe passage out of Ibutho. The gods know We have little time left, but heed Our words: If any harm comes to members of Our family, you will be crushed. Cobura's only goal will be to see to it that you perish. If not by Our hands, then by the hands of the next Lord. You may have Ibutho; but do heed Our warning, or you will pay in blood.

The 92 year old monarch's abdictation marks the end of the informal Esinsundu Empire, established after the Saksoure dynasty gained power over Talmoria and Ibutho. Cobura maintains amicable relations with Talmoria, which is now under the control of the Nordenburg Dynasty, who are distantly related to the Saksoure Dynasty. That will likely not be Cobura's diplomatic situation in Ibutho going forward.

[Akhenaten]

Cobura Recalls Diplomats From Deltaria
May 11th, 3981

In light of the disenfranchisement and enslavement of all Majatrans residing in Deltaria, Cobura has recalled Ambassador Marinko Mihailovic and all other personnel from its Deltarian Embassy. This follows the evacuation of all Coburan Majatran employees of the embassy last August, immediately preceding the passage of the ironically-named Civil Rights Act of 3980, which stripped Majatrans of Deltarian citizenship and enslaved them. Cobura remains allied with Deltaria through the Deltaria-Cobura Treaty of Alliance and Cooperation, but this agreement appears to be on its last legs. Many consider the alliance to now be untenable, due to Cobura's significant population of Majatran citizens. Protests have erupted across Cobura, particularly in Dilganato, calling for His Exalted Majesty Lord Pterou to denounce Deltaria and withdraw from the Alliance. Their pleas have been met with an eerie silence until now, with Foreign Affairs Vizier Teugenia Nef largely refusing to comment on the situation, only stating that Cobura remained allied with Deltaria, but also discouraging Majatrans from travelling to the country. The recent execution of the Czar, a believer in racial equality, appears to have precipitated the diplomatic recall. Josef III was believed to be the only man able to reverse Deltaria's course. With his execution, Deltaria seems to be locked in to its current path, one that Cobura will not likely be able to tolerate.

Cobura Formally Denounces Deltaria
May 12th, 3981

Following yesterday's recall of all diplomats from Cobura, His Exalted Majesty's government has announced the end of the alliance with Deltaria. Grand Vizier Stefano Kourtikio outlined major policy changes regarding Deltaria, effective immediately. A complete embargo on Deltaria has been imposed. Any Deltarian ships entering Cobura's territorial waters will be attacked until they are no longer within Coburan territory or are sunk, with regular air patrols enforcing this policy. Majatrans residing in Deltaria will now be granted refugee status within Cobura. The government has also announced Radio Free Deltaria, which will operate from high powered border blasters in Augusta on multiple frequencies to counter the expected ban on free media in Deltaria and advertise Cobura's policy of accepting Majatran refugees.

[Akhenaten]

Cobura Declares War on Deltaria, Enters Jakania

December 14th, 3994

Coburan Soldier in Jakania near Lake Majatra

In response to Deltaria’s invasion of Jakania yesterday, Cobura has officially declared war on Deltaria. The Royal Assembly declared Deltaria’s invasion to be a clear act of aggression, not just toward Jakania, but Cobura and indeed all of Majatra as well. The first military action undertaken by Cobura was a series of air strikes against the advancing Deltarian forces. Coburan troops, who had been concentrated in Dilganato in anticipation of an attack by Deltaria, crossed the Jakanian border shortly afterwards in hopes of stopping the Deltarian offensive. Cobura’s initial invasion force includes 180,000 infantrymen, accompanied by a contingent of 975 D-84M main battle tanks and 400 Psentkeri II main battle tanks. This constitutes nearly 70% of Cobura’s active armed forces, and as such, all 200,000 reservists have been activated to defend the home front. The invasion force’s first objective is to establish defensive positions and operating bases in order to prevent any further advancement by Deltarian troops. A large portion of the force has taken up positions near the shore of Lake Majatra, while some troops have advanced eastward to prevent a Deltarian flanking maneuver. There has not yet been a clash between ground forces, but an engagement seems likely within the next few days as both sides advance.

The Coburan government has issued bribes to local warlords to prevent them from launching a large scale insurgency against Coburan forces, who are reportedly seen by Jakanians as unwanted imperialists despite the Deltarian threat. These warlords are currently the only real authority present in the notoriously unstable western half of Jakania, and Cobura will gain a significant advantage over Deltaria if an understanding can be reached between Coburan troops and local leaders. Deltaria, on the other hand, will almost certainly have to grapple with insurgents fighting for their freedom and survival.

[Akhenaten]

Tokundi Nationalist Rally Held in Ispljuvak


Tokundi nationalists gather outside the nome's capitol building.

4 October 4037—Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators filled Ispljuvak’s streets today in a call for the independence of Tokundi, fueled by poor economic conditions in the region relative to the rest of Cobura. October 4th, which coincides with the founding date of the Tokundian Empire in 991, is known as Tokundi’s national day. Since the conflict with Deltaria during the Terran War, which was opposed by many Tokundians, there have been multiple prominent demonstrations in Tokundi calling for autonomy or independence. Today’s turnout, however, marks the largest pro-independence demonstration in years. Former Tokundi Nomarch Miroslav Vuković spoke during the rally outside the regional capital building and gave a speech to protestors, in which he called for the Royal Government to grant the region autonomous status at minimum, or face increasing opposition. Vuković was expelled from the Royal Coalition after expressing separatist sentiments. Despite this, he was allowed to run for reelection as an independent in 4036, but lost by a slim margin. The result of the election led many to believe that the elections had been rigged in favor of the Royal Coalition. This has been a major point of contention among Tonkundi nationalists and it is said to be a major cause of the demonstration’s high turnout. Other issues for the Tokundi nationalists are their lack of meaningful posts within the Council of Viziers. Nationalist groups also claim that the KE only chooses candidates from Tokundi that express support for the status quo. This has led to allegations of cronyism and corruption on the part of these representatives. A prominent claim by right-wing demonstrators is that the large influx of Mallan and Irkawan refugees from Zardugal into Tokundi during the Zardic Civil War was an intentional effort by the government to further marginalize ethnic Tokundians in their region. The government has dismissed these allegations as "absurd neo-fascist propaganda."

[Akhenaten]

Lord Anwar Pteroumes Declares Cobura Secular
Decree represents olive branch toward Tokundi separatists

2 February 4047—In a decree addressed to the Royal Assembly, the Lord of Cobura, Anwar Pteroumes, declared Cobura a secular state, and forbade future heads of state from taking public positions on religious matters. In the decree the Lord stated that Arkhe’s de facto status as the official religion of Cobura was a misinterpretation of Saksoure I’s foundation for the Cobura monarchy, which emphasized ethnic equality and toleration. The Lord further stated that the Coburan state must be officially secular in order to prevent government bias in favor of certain groups. This decision is believed to be influenced by Tokundian cries for independence and pressure from Cobura’s neighbors, who have called Cobura’s religious policy unjust and discriminatory towards the Terran Patriarchal Church. In addition, the Lord and his predecessor, Pterou, have both diverged from the policy of Saksoure III, who greatly promoted the spread of the Coburan polytheistic religion. Lord Pterou was said to practice an idiosyncratic, personal version of Arkhe, and began participating less in public rituals, delegating representatives from the Saksoure Dynasty in his place. Lord Anwar has continued the practice, and in many ways this decree may be viewed as a logical continuation of that policy. However, it remains a major change for an institution that has supported Arkhe, both implicitly and explicitly, for nearly 200 years. As expected, the decision isn’t universally popular. The Lord bypassed the Royal Assembly by using his power of decree. Multiple members of the Royal Assembly, who refused to be named, claimed that the Lord bypassed the legislature because the initiative would have been defeated in the chamber. The Royal Assembly and the Kononia Enouro have maintained Arkhe-nationalist positions, and the Lord’s secular policies are unpopular with portions of the party apparatus. The decree is likely to further inflame tensions between the monarch and the Assembly.

Lord of Cobura to Meet with Tokundian Bishop

Rade Lukić, Separatist Tokundian Bishop

16 April 4047—In the days following his controversial decision to secularize the state, the Lord has taken multiple steps to ease tensions with Tokundi separatists. In a major push for reconciliation, the Lord has arranged a meeting with Tokundian Terran Patriarchal Bishop Rade Lukić in order to discuss the increasingly religious Tokundian independence question. Bishop Lukić has emerged as a key figure in the Tokundi independence movement, and has denounced what he calls “the rigging of elections and suppression of our religious freedom by a pagan government.” With the Lord’s secularization decree doing little to satisfy angry Tokundians over the last two months, the Lord and Bishop Lukić are expected to discuss multiple options, including autonomous status for Tokundi and independence. The Bishop has publicly called for an independence referendum multiple times, and will likely attempt to push the Lord in that direction.

[Akhenaten]

Lord's Tokundian Autonomy Decree Under Fire
Few Tokundians satisfied with new status.

December 5th, 4051—After a significant period of deliberation regarding the Tokundian situation, His Exalted Majesty Lord Pterou has established the Tokundian Autonomous Region (TAR). The decree allows Tokundi to establish a new devolved government similar to the regional governments currently in place in the nomes. However, the government of the TAR will be granted additional powers to those of the nomes, which are currently restricted to passing legislation in regards to matters specifically devolved to them. The TAR will be allowed to enact "specific regulations in the light of the political, economic and cultural characteristics of Tokundi," according to the decree, without regard for existing national laws. This provision is balanced by the fact that all regulations approved by the Tokundian autonomous region that contradict a national law must be approved by the Lord of the Five Lands. The decree provides other assurances to Tokundian nationalists, such as requiring the local head of government to profess Tokundi ethnicity, providing the region the right to fly their own flag, economic autonomy, and a guarantee of additional economic assistance to Tokundi on the part of the Royal Government. Tokundians will vote on January 5th to elect a 200 member regional legislature.

Despite these reforms, the majority of ethnic Tokundians are quite unsatisfied with the document. Multiple nationalists organizations have described the decree as highly inadequate. Adrijana Živković, a spokeswoman for the Tokundi Liberation Organization, which claims 300,000 members, called the decree an "utter farce," and stated that the TLO will consider boycotting the regional election. She went on to say that "'His Exalted Majesty' [in air quotes] has done far too little, far too late. After shuffling his feet for a decade, the Lord expects Tokundians to kiss them for providing us a sham parliament, which will be subject to veto at his whim. And, if the Lord does decide to be so kind and actually accept our proposals, what's to stop the next Lord from repealing them, or revoking Tokundi's autonomous status? The problem is Tokundi is its own nation, cruelly tacked on to a state that does not share its values, religion, or culture. This policy does nothing to change that. We must continue to strive for independence." While the TLO has taken a relatively peaceful approach to the dispute, this approach is not shared by all Tokundi nationalist groups. There have been sporadic calls for an armed resistance and guerrilla warfare against the Royal Government, which is especially concerning given the rise in ethnic tensions and violence in Tokundi over the past decade.

[Akhenaten]

Lord Anwar Pteroumes Vetoes Multiple Tokundi Proposals

27 November 4054—To the annoyance of the Tokundian Assembly, His Exalted Majesty has vetoed two bills passed by the autonomous legislature. The first, the Tokundian Defense Act, would have allowed paramilitary forces to operate without regulations in Tokundi, while the second, the Tokundi Cultural Protection Act, would have given public funding to Terran Patriarchal primary and secondary schools and declared Terran Patriarchal Hosianism the official religion of Tokundi. With the vetoing of these two initiatives, Lord Anwar Pteroumes has now vetoed just under half of all initiatives passed by the Tokundian Assembly over the last three years. The Royal Government has defended the high rate of vetoes as a method of protecting minority populations in Tokundi, as the majority of bills vetoed were passed by slim margins. The Lord did not comment personally on the reasoning behind these two vetoes, but Grand Vizier Siddig el-Tahir supported the Lord's decision and provided an explanation;

Regarding the Tokundian Defense Act, paramilitaries are unnecessary for the defense of any part of Cobura. Cobura has for years maintained one of the strongest military forces in Majatra, and we can assure that the Coburan military would come to the defense of Tokundi in the event of an attack. The Tokundi Cultural Protection Act is also problematic, as it would marginalize the significant minority of the population of the Autonomous Region who practice Arkhe or Apostolistic Hosianism by forcing them to financially support the Terran Patriarchal Church. The Lord fully secularized the state to prevent any possibility of religious marginalization; we would be going back on that by allowing this bill to go through.

Supporters of the two bills have dismissed these arguments. Djuradj Vlahović, of the Tokundian Liberation Organization, the largest party in the Tokundian Assembly, stated;

The Tokundian Defense Act is absolutely necessary. The Arkhe government has been working to turn Tokundian men into a bunch of toothless fairy boys. They have no discipline or strength. We are being pushed into subservience. The over-regulation of paramilitaries amounts to cultural genocide. We are a militaristic people, but the government continues to suppress that so that we may better serve them. It is absolutely disgusting. And of course "his Exalted Majesty" rejected the Cultural Protection Act, we were expecting that. Really, we wanted to demonstrate to the rest of the world that the Royal Government wants us to all worship snakes or falcons or some {expletive deleted}. They did a great job. The regional government is an utter sham.

Tokundi Billionaire to Fund Private Independence Referendum


Andrej Branković, majority owner of the Tokundian automaker Brz

10 December 4054—In response to what he calls a "lack of politically autonomy" in the Tokundian Autonomous Region, Andrej Branković, an eccentric billionaire and industry captain who owns Tokundi's largest automaker, has pledged to fund a private independence referendum across Tokundi on June 8th of next year. After his announcement, the Tokundian Assembly announced that they will recognize the results of the referendum, with the initiative being approved by a vote of 163-37. As the referendum is privately funded, a royal veto could not prevent the referendum from taking place. The Royal Government has announced that it has no plans to recognize the referendum. The Vizier of Justice, Strategio Krissantho, whose ministry oversees elections, stated that private referendums are "prone to voter fraud and tampering of results, and thus cannot be trusted." In turn, Foreign Vizier Belphi Pkhermes has discouraged all states who have diplomatic relations with Cobura from acknowledging the referendum. With the Royal Government refusing the recognize the results, the true impact of a "yes" vote is uncertain, but it would certainly showcase major opposition to Coburan sovereignty over the region.

OOC edit: I'm the king of typos. Also, referendum moved from March to June.