Congo--Kinshasa
06-03-2006, 21:16
OOC: Léopold Honoré Mobutu is obviously fictitious, and he is in no way related to Mobutu Sese Seko, either ICly or OOCly
IC:
Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo
Like Mobutu Sese Seko had done more than forty years ago, Lieutenant-General Léopold Honoré Mobutu staged a coup d'etat and seized power in the name of "saving" the Congo. Like Mobutu Sese Seko, he delivered eloquent speeches and scathing tirades against self-serving, corrupt, opportunistic politicians and how they were bringing ruin and stagnation to the people while pursuing their own selfish interests. Lieutenant-General Léopold Honoré Mobutu resoundingly denounced the corruption, chaos, and bloodshed that had afflicted the country since its chaotic debut of independence in 1960.
"First Lumumba, then Mobutu, then the Kabilas," he said, as the spellbound crowd, hypnotized by his magnetic oratory, piercing gentle eyes, soothing paternal voice, and warm fatherly demeanor, stood in respectful awe. "We, the people of the Congo, have endured nothing but suffering and bitterness. We are ravaged by war, hampered by corruption, divided by tribe. Brother fights brother. Why can we not think of ourselves as Congolese first, and work together to fulfill the potential of this beautiful country?"
The crowd replied with thunderous applause and frenetic, over-zealous cheers. Surely this man could save them, they thought. His very demeanor radiated sincerity, grace, and modesty. This seemed to be a man who wanted to lead, not to control; to listen, not to ignore; to help, not to hurt. Could Léopold Honoré Mobutu be the savior they had so fervently prayed for? Could he be the one who could bring honor and dignity to the troubled heart of central Africa? Only time- and Mobutu- would tell.
"We will not kow-tow to international opinion, or sell our souls to the highest bidder," Mobutu continued. "We will not allow ourselves to be colonized by foreign interests. We will be a strong, proud, independent people, at peace with ourselves and with the world. This will be a Congo where men, women, and children can walk tall, with smiles on their faces and pride and patriotism in their hearts. But in order to achieve this, certain changes must be promptly implemented."
He cleared his throat, straightened his thick, black-framed spectacles before continuing.
"Tribalism is the cancer that erodes our country, that produces friction, anarchy, enmity, and conflict. We must unite under a single banner, as one people, one nation, under a strong but loving chief who will care for and address everyone's needs. Therefore, I am announcing our transition to a single-party state, until the country is sufficiently stable for democracy to return. The Mouvement Populaire de la Revolution, founded by the once-great Mobutu Sese Seko, before his soul succumbed to rapacity and savagery, shall be our sole political party. Membership will be compulsory for all citizens, so we can unite under the banner of a single party, under one chief, in honor of the sacred traditions of our continent."
This, too, was met with applause, albeit more tentative and hesitant than before. Yet, Mobutu's gentle, soft expression belied their fears. After all, this could truly be the savior they had long hoped for. If so, no sacrifice would be too great. If stability and peace meant the temporary suspension of democracy, then by all means, democracy should be temporarily suspended for as long as needed.
"Mobutu was a once great man, whose intentions were just in his early days, before he lost his soul. In further homage to him, I shall rename this nation République du Zaïre. Further policies and changes will be announced as I think of them. In the meantime, I bid you all farewell, my children. May peace be with you, and may God bless you all."
IC:
Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo
Like Mobutu Sese Seko had done more than forty years ago, Lieutenant-General Léopold Honoré Mobutu staged a coup d'etat and seized power in the name of "saving" the Congo. Like Mobutu Sese Seko, he delivered eloquent speeches and scathing tirades against self-serving, corrupt, opportunistic politicians and how they were bringing ruin and stagnation to the people while pursuing their own selfish interests. Lieutenant-General Léopold Honoré Mobutu resoundingly denounced the corruption, chaos, and bloodshed that had afflicted the country since its chaotic debut of independence in 1960.
"First Lumumba, then Mobutu, then the Kabilas," he said, as the spellbound crowd, hypnotized by his magnetic oratory, piercing gentle eyes, soothing paternal voice, and warm fatherly demeanor, stood in respectful awe. "We, the people of the Congo, have endured nothing but suffering and bitterness. We are ravaged by war, hampered by corruption, divided by tribe. Brother fights brother. Why can we not think of ourselves as Congolese first, and work together to fulfill the potential of this beautiful country?"
The crowd replied with thunderous applause and frenetic, over-zealous cheers. Surely this man could save them, they thought. His very demeanor radiated sincerity, grace, and modesty. This seemed to be a man who wanted to lead, not to control; to listen, not to ignore; to help, not to hurt. Could Léopold Honoré Mobutu be the savior they had so fervently prayed for? Could he be the one who could bring honor and dignity to the troubled heart of central Africa? Only time- and Mobutu- would tell.
"We will not kow-tow to international opinion, or sell our souls to the highest bidder," Mobutu continued. "We will not allow ourselves to be colonized by foreign interests. We will be a strong, proud, independent people, at peace with ourselves and with the world. This will be a Congo where men, women, and children can walk tall, with smiles on their faces and pride and patriotism in their hearts. But in order to achieve this, certain changes must be promptly implemented."
He cleared his throat, straightened his thick, black-framed spectacles before continuing.
"Tribalism is the cancer that erodes our country, that produces friction, anarchy, enmity, and conflict. We must unite under a single banner, as one people, one nation, under a strong but loving chief who will care for and address everyone's needs. Therefore, I am announcing our transition to a single-party state, until the country is sufficiently stable for democracy to return. The Mouvement Populaire de la Revolution, founded by the once-great Mobutu Sese Seko, before his soul succumbed to rapacity and savagery, shall be our sole political party. Membership will be compulsory for all citizens, so we can unite under the banner of a single party, under one chief, in honor of the sacred traditions of our continent."
This, too, was met with applause, albeit more tentative and hesitant than before. Yet, Mobutu's gentle, soft expression belied their fears. After all, this could truly be the savior they had long hoped for. If so, no sacrifice would be too great. If stability and peace meant the temporary suspension of democracy, then by all means, democracy should be temporarily suspended for as long as needed.
"Mobutu was a once great man, whose intentions were just in his early days, before he lost his soul. In further homage to him, I shall rename this nation République du Zaïre. Further policies and changes will be announced as I think of them. In the meantime, I bid you all farewell, my children. May peace be with you, and may God bless you all."