Crisis Deepens
April 12, 3959
The ongoing crisis in Talmoria has deepened following Sheikh Yaw Konate's response to the military's rogue deployments all over the capital, Lesako. Sheikh Konate has ordered his party's faithful supporters to 'crowd the streets and defend the victory of Akim over iniquity and the agents of the Gao Showan monsters.' As many as a quarter of a million supporters of the Sheikh have begun protests all over the country, vowing to stay in the streets until their man is worn in as head of government. The King's continuing absence, 'big brother' Indrala's own troubles and the resignation of the Great Farin Dr Herman Diallo have left the country without clear leadership. The Great Farin resigned after a gang of Ahmadi students attempted to 'kidnap' him, hoping desperately to convince the armed forces to back down.
Gen. Idris Cassama
The King's actions in organising the elections 'by remote' from Cobura have been heavily criticised by many at home and abroad. The Sheikh's political position is deemed to be somewhat stronger in the controversy, the Royal Army is divided, with many viewing Army Chief of Staff Gen. Idris Cassama 's actions as a desperate and naked power grab. A number of military commanders have so far refused to follow Gen. Cassama's orders to occupy various strategic points, deeming the orders to be illegal and counter-productive.
Sheikh Konate managed to escape unharmed from Lesako through a network of sympathisers to the ever fickle south, establishing himself in Minbuto. The stand-off continues, with the chances of escalation to outright violence very high, signified by the Sheikh's ominous threat of 'returning to the bushes if our rights and fruits of our victory continued to be denied to us.'