United Elias
29-09-2005, 23:25
Libreville
The life of the city continued, the market stalls, the dusty streets with hundreds of obsolescent cars and trucks honking endlessly in perennial traffic jams, the crowds of local people haggling with street vendors and simply going about their life. Today, perhaps was not so significant for the Gabonese locals as it was for United Elias, but the facts were not in dispute, a chapter of both nations’ histories was about to finally conclude.
In the city-centre, the beautiful French colonial era Presidential Palace had served as a backdrop for countless news stories. Setback from the road behind high wrought iron railings and newer concrete barricades, it had for four years been the headquarters of UE’s occupation of the North West Sector of Gabon.
Outside the building massed military bands stand in formation. Their brass instruments seem to sparkle in the hot mid morning sun as an Army stand guard on either side of the parade ground, rifles symbolically held in front of them, bayonets attached. At the front of each rank of bandsmen a trio of officers stand at attention, one holding the colour of their service, the other two holding ceremonial swords in perfect uniformity. At either end of the parade ground, two officers start to march towards each other, to converge just in front of a seated panel of official guests. Major-General Krieger and a Roycelandian officer on the right, move towards each other, accompanied by appropriate honour guards Just before they meet at the centre of the parade ground, they stop and turn towards the seated dignitaries.
Seconds later, the dignitaries rise, and the two officers salute as the Army band starts playing the Elias national anthem. Once the music finishes, the two officers drop their salutes as a very recognisable civilian takes position behind a podium. Minister of Defence, Ibrahim Zibari dressed as usual in a black suit, had been so instrumental in starting this venture in Gabon, and now the task of ending it fell to him also.
“First of all I would like to say to the hundreds of thousands of Elias servicemen who over the years have been deployed to Gabon that you have served your country proud, and we will always honour and remember your service and your sacrifice. You came here as guardians of liberty, and you succeeded in safeguarding the security of this land.
“Reaching this seminal moment has shown that since the end of hostilities, I think it is a time for some reflection. According to any measure, the quality of life for the local people has improved significantly beyond pre-war levels and the vast amounts of economic assistance has indeed paid dividends. The people here enjoy superior levels of education and healthcare. We have seen an explosion in employment opportunities, as we poured the revenue of Gabon’s own natural resources back into the development of a credible and prosperous local economy.
“Together with our Roycelandian allies, we have made a real, positive difference to society, and this is something that we as a nation can feel a tremendous sense of pride over. However, we believe that this is now the time, that we should step back and allow others to continue our efforts. By transferring this sector to Roycelandia’s responsibility, this will ensure that the entirety of West Gabon is unified under a common and benevolent form of government.
“Today, I have ordered a drawdown plan to come into effect, with all non-indigenous elements of the ‘Gabon Defence and Security Force’ returning home in the coming days and weeks. I wish to note that Major-General Krieger, who has commanded GOTCOM for the entirety of this operation has opted not to seek another assignment and has been granted retirement after nearly forty years of exemplary service to the Elias Army. His leadership and dedication have been commendable.”
The Minister pauses a second to allow his message to resonate before finishing his address, “General Krieger, you are hereby honourably discharged from your commission in the Army of the Federal Dictatorship of United Elias, and by Presidential Executive Order, I order that Gabon Operations Tactical Command indefinitely suspend all activities forthwith.”
The General then pulls a slightly curved sword from its sheath, brings it up level with his head in the way of salute, then replaces it before bellowing back to the podium, “I stand relieved.”
The parade ground then falls silent as the Elias colours are slowly lowered from atop the Presidential Palace. A minute later, the Roycelandian flag is hoisted up the halyard. As soon as it reaches the top, the Army band commence the national anthem of the Roycelandian Empire.
(In case anyone doesn't completely understand the background: In a multilateral settlement involving UE, Roycelandia, Lusaka and the African Commonwealth after the Gabon War (more than a year ago), Gabon was carved into sectors rather like Berlin. This post details UE giving up its responsibilities for the NW sector of Gabon and handing it over to Roycelandia who currently controls the SW.)
The life of the city continued, the market stalls, the dusty streets with hundreds of obsolescent cars and trucks honking endlessly in perennial traffic jams, the crowds of local people haggling with street vendors and simply going about their life. Today, perhaps was not so significant for the Gabonese locals as it was for United Elias, but the facts were not in dispute, a chapter of both nations’ histories was about to finally conclude.
In the city-centre, the beautiful French colonial era Presidential Palace had served as a backdrop for countless news stories. Setback from the road behind high wrought iron railings and newer concrete barricades, it had for four years been the headquarters of UE’s occupation of the North West Sector of Gabon.
Outside the building massed military bands stand in formation. Their brass instruments seem to sparkle in the hot mid morning sun as an Army stand guard on either side of the parade ground, rifles symbolically held in front of them, bayonets attached. At the front of each rank of bandsmen a trio of officers stand at attention, one holding the colour of their service, the other two holding ceremonial swords in perfect uniformity. At either end of the parade ground, two officers start to march towards each other, to converge just in front of a seated panel of official guests. Major-General Krieger and a Roycelandian officer on the right, move towards each other, accompanied by appropriate honour guards Just before they meet at the centre of the parade ground, they stop and turn towards the seated dignitaries.
Seconds later, the dignitaries rise, and the two officers salute as the Army band starts playing the Elias national anthem. Once the music finishes, the two officers drop their salutes as a very recognisable civilian takes position behind a podium. Minister of Defence, Ibrahim Zibari dressed as usual in a black suit, had been so instrumental in starting this venture in Gabon, and now the task of ending it fell to him also.
“First of all I would like to say to the hundreds of thousands of Elias servicemen who over the years have been deployed to Gabon that you have served your country proud, and we will always honour and remember your service and your sacrifice. You came here as guardians of liberty, and you succeeded in safeguarding the security of this land.
“Reaching this seminal moment has shown that since the end of hostilities, I think it is a time for some reflection. According to any measure, the quality of life for the local people has improved significantly beyond pre-war levels and the vast amounts of economic assistance has indeed paid dividends. The people here enjoy superior levels of education and healthcare. We have seen an explosion in employment opportunities, as we poured the revenue of Gabon’s own natural resources back into the development of a credible and prosperous local economy.
“Together with our Roycelandian allies, we have made a real, positive difference to society, and this is something that we as a nation can feel a tremendous sense of pride over. However, we believe that this is now the time, that we should step back and allow others to continue our efforts. By transferring this sector to Roycelandia’s responsibility, this will ensure that the entirety of West Gabon is unified under a common and benevolent form of government.
“Today, I have ordered a drawdown plan to come into effect, with all non-indigenous elements of the ‘Gabon Defence and Security Force’ returning home in the coming days and weeks. I wish to note that Major-General Krieger, who has commanded GOTCOM for the entirety of this operation has opted not to seek another assignment and has been granted retirement after nearly forty years of exemplary service to the Elias Army. His leadership and dedication have been commendable.”
The Minister pauses a second to allow his message to resonate before finishing his address, “General Krieger, you are hereby honourably discharged from your commission in the Army of the Federal Dictatorship of United Elias, and by Presidential Executive Order, I order that Gabon Operations Tactical Command indefinitely suspend all activities forthwith.”
The General then pulls a slightly curved sword from its sheath, brings it up level with his head in the way of salute, then replaces it before bellowing back to the podium, “I stand relieved.”
The parade ground then falls silent as the Elias colours are slowly lowered from atop the Presidential Palace. A minute later, the Roycelandian flag is hoisted up the halyard. As soon as it reaches the top, the Army band commence the national anthem of the Roycelandian Empire.
(In case anyone doesn't completely understand the background: In a multilateral settlement involving UE, Roycelandia, Lusaka and the African Commonwealth after the Gabon War (more than a year ago), Gabon was carved into sectors rather like Berlin. This post details UE giving up its responsibilities for the NW sector of Gabon and handing it over to Roycelandia who currently controls the SW.)