NecroKnight — Roleplayer Guild

1960, Léopoldville - Congo

Starring NecroKnight as West Afrika.
Starring @SgtEasy as Congo.

Patrice Lubumba looked down at his desk, his fingers massaging his temples. This was not the look of a man who just won their country's first election. This was not the look of a man who has overcome impossible odds. This was not the look of a man who has shed his country's chains to an oppressive Belgium. This was a look of pure frustration. He had onky been leading the Congo for a few months now and with every day, a new problem arrived at his desk. From inter-tribal relations, the lack of sustainable food crops, underfunded industry, not to mention the Belgians on their doorstep. The Katangan secessionists, with their Belgian military assistance, proved to be a thorn at his side. The numerous Belgian businesses had interest in the resource-rich areas and funded the secessionist movement to keep their profits intact. He was disgusted by their arroganc, holding on to a colony who wanted them no longer. But it proved annoying and with every other nation building problem stafked on top, downright stressful.

He had been foolish, he realised. Freedom was not the final step as Lubumba had thought, instead it was the first. Taking over where the Belgians left off was difficult with the lack of trained professional Congolese. The institutions they left behind were hard to replace without qualified, educated Congo staff. Freedom didn't stop their problems, it just added to it. The journey from freedom to fully functioning state was a difficult journey to make, as Lubumba's government found out. Distastefully, they had to retain some sort of Belgian technical staff to make sure things would run smoothly.

Lubumba stifled the headache and wiped the sweat from his brow, reaching for the glass of water on his desk. He took greedy gulps, ignoring the paperwork on his desk. He banished the innumerable amount of meetings he had for the day from his thoughts. Finishing it to the last drop, he set the glass down with a sigh and a smile. This first meeting would help with his uncertainty and the problems with his country. If he spun this right, he could gain a valuable ally and a way to vaquish the secessionists. With them out of the way, he could continue to build his country accordingly, under his democratic and free views.

A soft knock on his door alerted Lubumba of the Westafrikan arrival. He put on his best grin. "Come in, make yourself comfortable."

The doors soon opened to reveal about fifteen men - whom stood out almost immediately from the soldiers that guarded the Prime Minister' office outside. Namely -  among the group, only one of the men was white, the others were all black. Although, looking very disciplined and trained - even their uniform seemed twice as proper and prim than what constituted as the current uniform for the formerly Belgian-run Force Publique or gendarmerie.

"Prime Minister Lubumba. I am Oberstleutant Amadou Bankole von Douala. Duchy of West Afrika. My staff, my guards-" he spoke in an accented Belgian, pointing to the three Askari officers - whom looked more war-hardened then even some of the former Belgians. "And this is Erwin Theissig."

He soon introduced the only white man in the room - whom looked all the signs of a man of intelligence. "Herr Theissing is an educated political historian and a Professor at the Royal Douala Academy. Myself and he - have come here, under the assistance, offered to the new Republic of Congo...by Herzog Hurst..." he explained, his tone crisp and calm. A man, who knew what he was doing - and what he was supposed to do.

The Duchy - the wild man of Afrika. Both a colony and also not a colony. A place where a black man was still ruled by a white man - yet his life and status, wasn't held back by his nature or color. Although, one didn't need to be an experienced politician - to know, that the German Duke was likely more eager to smash the Belgian Empire - than out of a straight nobility of his heart. Although, his offer of aid seemed genuine - plus the Duke, had promised futher economic support - once Congo was stabilized and the infrastructure was running again.

Something that with the Duchy's support, was to come earlier than later. Lubumba kept that charismatic and genuine grin plastered on his face. These men in front of him could help with his country's future, a bright and happy one. "Assistance which is gladly accepted by the Congo and her people. Please Herr Bankole, I invite you and your staff - including Professor Erwin, to make yourself comfortable in my office. We have much to discuss after all." He let the men settle down in the plush couches he had ordered in from last night. He wouldn't have settled for anything less than the best for these people. After they sat down, there was a moment of silence as the new Prime Minister churned the words in his head.

"I have no doubt that an informed man such as yourself, Herr Bankole, would know of the current turmoil in the Congo. The secessionists have been a thorn in Congo's side for far too long.They have hindered the progress of our nation and support a defunct government. They have no place in our democratic society." Lubumba eyed Bankole to gauge his reaction but only found strict German discipline. He could applaud him right there and then but continued. "The Congo appreciates the aid which the Duchy provides, in any form. We are a regrettably troubled nation with problems left over from our colonial roots. I and the Congolese government need as much help as we can get and we appreciate the Duchy for extending their generous hand."

Lubumba paused to look into Bankole's eyes, a serious look in his eye despite the charismatic grin. He wanted a straight answer. "What sort of assistance will the Duchy be providing the Congo and her people?

Bankole soon uncrossed his leg and looked the other African man in his face. Despite their united race and home-land, they were far different type of people - both in cultural and personal sense. "Herr Lubumba. Herzog Hurst has authorized me to assist, in any way possible - to allow your nation to achieve a stable and secure future. He sees the fate of a stable Congo is better - than an uncertain future under the hands of the Belgians," he explained.

"Thus Herr Theissig here - will provide assistance and advise, on how to build your nation. He is a man, who has studied Afrikan history for many years - and is one of the few men, who has studied the many political structures of the colonial states," he spoke - as Professor Erwin took over.

"Indeed. The Duke is certain, your people would have a better chance of stability for the region," spoke the Professor, his tone being respectful and polite. Leave it to the West-Afrikans to be the most polite people on this continent. Whether by choice or not, was a different saying.

"These fine gentleman - would help with stream-lining what military forces are under your control and building up a decend system of meritocracy," said Erwin. It was the only thing they can do military-wise - the Duchy only had a military for defensive purpose. Thus, the only military aid they could offer was advisory only. Although, if the Belgian system could be reworked - and decend incentive provided, then they could get their military working enough for them to gain experience and rank. While...hopefully, avoiding any violent coups - that seemed to be common among post-independence Afrikan states.

"Myself - I will be assist you in writing up a constitution, laws and rules - that a newly formed nation will need," he explained. "Most of which I will defer to you - I am here to offer assistance, not to dictate terms. Your country, your future. Once a stable governance is formed - we can begin, in fixing up a system - that would stop this sectarian violence..."

"Once this Crisis has been resolved. The Duchy will provide you country with several aid packages - in the form of skilled technicians and monetary aid in restarting your economy and helping to build several key industries that a new nation will require," explained Erwin. "Furthermore, the Duke is open to allowing many of your best and brightest to study at our Colleges and Academies."

All in all - for Prime Minister Lubumba - it would mean a lot of paperwork to do. Although, likely the most important papers - that would decide the future of the Congo for years to come, would be written likely here and by him.

Lubumba had his fingers intertwined in a fist, eyes peering at both the Professor and Bankole. What the pair told him was promising and gave him hope for his country. It was a relief that they were here but he wasn't idiotic. The Westafrikans wanted something and he would have to do his best to give that something. However, he would need to iron out some details first. He stood from his chair and began pacing around the room, the grin diminished into a small smile. "It seems as though that the Westafrikan Duchy has much to offer the Congo in aid and I, as its Prime Minister, give thanks to you kind gentlemen for coming here. However," he stopped mid step and turned towards the Westafrikans "I doubt that the Duke is doing this out of the kindness in his heart, pardon my rudeness. But a leader does not become a leader if they make one way deals without any benefits, this would lead to discontent amongst the people. What does the Duchy seek to gain from aiding the Congo? Resources? Labour? Or maybe a simple trade agreement?"

The man folded his arms with a dead serious gaze. He was a fair but strong leader with both his iron will and charisma to fall back on. Lubumba was an intellectual, a learned man who knew politics well, thus earning him leadership in the MNC in the first place. "I am aware of the growing divide between ideologies and countries. You are led by a duke and are a part of both a colony and not a colony. You have ties to your old colonials while we have gotten rid of our own. Do I have your word, Herr Bankole, as an educated black man, that the Congo will not regret receiving aid from the Duchy? That we will not be forced into an international, ideological war? As you can see, we have internal problems of our own. I will need your word on this, Herr Bankole."

The Prime Minister was glad that he was sent a black man from the Duchy, he would trust his word much more than a white man's. Belgian, British, German - it didn't matter. After what they did to his people, the atrocities and unnecessary violence, the Congo's trust would be hard earned. Africa was for Africans, he believed. But Lubumba wasn't a fool. If these Westafrikans could prove that their white men were as fair as they made it out to be, then maybe whites could be African after all. And maybe, just maybe, they could be trusted. But that was yet to be seen in his eyes.

"Ah. That is the big question many ask. Simple - the Duchy and Duke want stability," he replied. "The man - the Duke, he is a rather open-minded yet smart man. He realized long ago - that trying to rule over us as colonial overlords would lead to revolt and rebellion. It has been evident all across the world. Both in Afrika and in Asia."

Lubumba's eyebrow was raised a few inches. A white man who didn't think any lesser of other races? Now that was new. He quickly wiped the surprise off his face however, letting Bankole continue on.

"It is his belief - that a grateful ally is better than an unstable rival. The Great War broke many European states - many whom have neither the power nor influence to control their colonies anymore. Thus - he has acknowledged the fact - stability in the Congo is good for the Duchy. It means less conflict on both our borders and better opportunities of trade."

"I can promise - that no war of any kind will touch Congo' soil by us. Nor will we engage in ideological warfare - so long as neither do you," explained Bankole. "It isn't mine to speak - but unofficially - the Duke wishes to construct a great continental railway. A superproject which he hopes will grant him a position in the page of history."

Thus it was simple self-survival and prosperity - typical rulership of a German colony. Namely the most the Duchy would wish is simply merchantile. It is true, that a stable Congo would be less a threat to its surrounding nations - plus many people of Congo would be grateful, if they could grow and prosper like the Duchy did.

The Prime Minister hummed and rubbed his chin in thought. It was a delightful deal, he had to admit. It was a win-win situation for everyone. The Congo would be stabilised and he knew that it could prove as a suitable trading partner for its neighbours. His was a resource rich country, all he needed to do was to utilise these resources correctly. He began nodding, as if in agreement with himself. There was no possible way to lose except for being in debt to the Duke and he seemed to be a nice enough man.

"Well," Lubumba started, his charismatic smile back on his face "it seems that we both benefit from such a deal. And your word is as good as any right now, Herr Bankole." He extended his hand, his smile growing wider. "It looks like an agreement between our countries have been reached. To a prosperous relationship and a stable Congo, good sir."
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