Rise of the Republic

[Yerushalayim]

A jet liner touches down at the Nairobi International Airport, the first inbound international flight since the fighting began. Tourists shuffle into the terminal and are greeted by a banner reading 'Welcome to the Great Lakes Republic'. Employees smile and guide the foreigners to their luggage, quietly avoiding eye contact with the soldiers patrolling the airport's halls, shotguns and rifles held at ease. Taxis wait outside, lined up in orderly rows, to bring the tourists deeper into the capital of the Republic. The city seems quiet, its streets largely empty but for the troop carriers transporting the Republic's soldiers from one area to another on their patrols.

'The Great Lakes Republic opens territory to foreign tourism', the headlines of the State sponsored papers read. Though official news sources claim the Republic has been pacified, frequent outbound flights of military aircraft and whispered words in Nairobi's marketplaces hint at pockets of resistance throughout the Republic's territory. Soldiers keep a wary eye throughout the areas of the city open to tourism. The bullet holes that scar Nairobi's walls and streets have been repaired, for the most part.

***

"Attacks by resistance forces have fallen over the last month, General. The aerial campaign is a success," the Colonel had highlighted several areas on the map, displayed across a large plasma television, "These are the remaining areas of resistance activity."

General Catharine Akinyi spared the map a glance, though it contained nothing new for her. "When the resistance is put down in its entirety, then our campaign will be a success, but not before. Redeploy the fifty first from Kigali to Kampala; Colonel Okongo will take command of the pacification efforts there. Triple our security in Nairobi as well; I'll not have the Republic looking weak to our new visitors. Have Odek prepare President Osano to make an appearance for the guests."

***

Thus did the Great Lakes Republic open itself to the world, with a smile on the faces of its citizens and the faint echoes of gunfire in the wilds.

[Beauty]

The Federal Soviet Socialist Republics hereby recognizes The Great Lake Republics and welcomes it to the world.

[Captain Enema]

"The Kingdom of Axum recognizes this new entity and will be calling for an African wide congress shortly so that our newer nations might mingle with each other and develop trade and diplomacy between them."

 

 

[Mogar]

"The Imperium of Japan welcomes the rise of a new African state."

[lkfht]

"The Republic of Italy recognizes the Great Lake Republics."

[Biohazard]

Aidennic Alexandria welcomes yet another sovereign African nation to the world stage. 

[Markus Wilding]

Alvonia welcomes the arrival of a new African state and wishes it well.

[JEDCJT]

"The Grand Duchy of Moscow recognizes and welcomes the Great Lakes Republic."

[Euphaia]

The Hungarian-Slovakian provisional government also recognizes and welcomes the Great Lakes Republic and it's government.

 

We offer the exchange of embassies and ambassadors; cordial, formal, mutual diplomatic relations, and if you would like, future mutual trade.

[Californian]

The Northlands recognizes the Great Lakes Republic and welcomes them to the world stage. We with you well and are willing to establish relations between our nations.

[Yerushalayim]

An official diplomatic cable is sent in reply to those nations requesting embassies within the Republic:

 

"The Republic welcomes representatives of foreign powers to establish embassies within the political capital of Arusha. The Republic shall ensure that all amenities and security are provided, courtesy of the State Department. Be welcomed within the Republic, so long as you come in peace and friendship."