Here's a little surprise and technically a crosspost: a new RDNA-verse Wikibox covering some of the historical backstory of the setting. In this case, it's the Senegal-Lazarie Civil War itself, which was the focus of the
Long Cold War - The New Great Game, only now put center stage. The DeviantArt version
can be found here.
It's even more of experiment than previous Wikiboxes in improving the concept, as there was extensive editing with the material to convey the point graphically. The closest analogues in our timeline would be the
Angolan Civil War and
Rhodesian Bush War. The painting seen in the image is a depiction of the
Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, one of the most heated and infamous clashes in the Angolan Civil War, which even involved Cubans and South Africans. While Lazarie is a small nod to the
Thousand Week Reich mod. And yes, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Léopold Senghor are very much alternate versions of the very people you think they are.
"Bethlen/Bethen" is also a reference to the works by
.
All the same, hope you enjoy!
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The Senegal-Lazarie Civil War: A Pivotal Turning Point in the New Great Game
To understand this significance requires going back to 1944. Vicomte Martin de Lambertye was deposed in a coup after nearly two decades of rule as sovereign of Lazarie (formerly French Senegal), so-called due to deliberate symbolism for one day resurrecting the old homeland. This overthrow, which resulted in the sovereign's death and those of his immediate family, was orchestrated by Marshal Christien de Montfort's Action Europa, a radical movement that opposed attempts to placate both the Black African majority and colonial populace, in the name of preserving the "true" France. With discreet Afrikaner backing, they assumed power and established a Franco-Mosleyite regime, wherein those of "pure" European descent alone were considered citizens, and most others treated as subservient, if not little better than slaves. This Reactionary order, however, did not enjoy a similar degree of success as in Equatoria, whether due to the growing corruption and infighting lurking beneath a superficial facade of unity, or simmering discontent that became worse with ever more excessive force.
By the time of the Marshal's death in 1968, Action Europa had no clear provisions for continuity, paralyzing the government. In the southern reaches of the country, a writer-turned-activist named Léopold Senghor openly declared that the
Union National pour Indépendance et Liberté ("National Union for Independence and Freedom"; U.N.I.L.) would oppose the Reactionaries and free what was by then called Senegal-Lazarie as a nation patterned after African Republicanism. Around the same time, a group of colonial-descended reformers and aristocrats led by the aging yet charismatic Antoine de Saint-Exupéry led an armed uprising in the city of Saint-Louis, calling for the fulfillment of what the murdered Vicomte had sought to achieve, eventually calling themselves the
Alliance Pour La Justice en Senegal-Lazarie ("Alliance for Justice in Senegal-Lazarie"; A.J.S.L.). Meanwhile, the Gambia River basin became the gathering point for various disgruntled serfs and workers, who had flocked around the young, militant Ibrahim Roche to wage a revolution under the banners of the
Mouvement Populaire Pour Le Travailleurs D'Afrique ("Popular Movement for the Workers of Africa"; M.P.T.A.). All the while, the dictator's son, Gen. Albert de Montfort, rallied much of the fractured loyalists under his command, while warning the League of Neutral Defiance of the growing severity of the threat.
The ensuing civil war would mark the most heated phase of the New Great Game. That the increasingly grueling bloodshed coincided with mounting social unrest within the U.A.S. (spurred by extremists believed to be backed by both Reactionaries and Collectivists), as well as heightened regional tensions, including the insurrection in Angola, further underscored this point. While there was no sense of certainty early on, many observers looked to either the U.N.I.L. (aided by American arms and United African reinforcements), or even the Reactionary loyalists (with Southern Africa sending weapons and volunteers through neighboring League members). The prospects of an M.P.T.A. victory, meanwhile, was seen as even more dire. Regardless of whether the Supreme Politburo truly trusted Roche or intended to replace him, it would have would have given a crucial opening for the Collectivist Internationale, by then having all but consolidated much of its possessions on the continent all the way to the remains of the Belgian-Dutch Congo, to exploit. An unforeseen development, though, would not only change the fortunes of those on the battlefield, but also the fate of various Free Nations across the region.
The Royal Dominion of New Austria had discreetly sent advisors to aid Saint-Exupéry in the initial stages, whether due to the latter's claim to the throne or the murdered de Lambertyes' ties with the Habsburgs themselves. Whatever the reasons Archduke Rudolf VII or his officials had, however, it was seen by many within the realm that the escalating conflict could not be ignored. Thus, in 1972 it openly declared its support for the A.J.S.L. Before long, New Austrian supplies and regiments (including soldiers from the Duchy of Kuba) were arriving in droves. These proved instrumental in the capture of Dakar itself the following year and the royalists' expansion further inland, hard-earned as it may have been for the locals. Meanwhile, the old nobleman's efforts in brokering an alliance with the U.N.I.L. also succeeded, providing greater legitimacy to both his and Senghor's mutual cause against their foes, their joint offensives forcing both the M.P.T.A. and Action Europa (along with contingents from the
Volkstaat Weermeg) to retreat. It wouldn't be until 1977, following further hardly fought struggles (with the Battle of Fort Basse claiming Roche's life), before the civil war finally came to an end, with the capture of Gen. de Montfort.
After much debate, it was decided that the two victorious parties would form a coalition government under New Austrian protection (formalized in 1978), with Saint-Exupéry being crowned Vicomte not long after. While the aging yet beloved monarch died a few years later, this arrangement proved lasting, as Senghor's democratic reforms proceeded to give an otherwise colonial remnant a distinctly African flavor that benefited all, regardless of blood. The effects of this victory would have wider consequences for the entire region, however. The experiences of the United African soldiers returning from the conflict would play a crucial role in helping an aging Benjamin Azikiwe secure the Acts of Amity, discrediting the extremist voices fostered a rejuvenated U.A.S. Meanwhile, the loss of Action Europa's grip dealt a blow to Volksfront influence, weakening Southern Africa's dominance within the League and contributing to the fall of Ouaddai to African Republicanism in 1986, as well as the final collapse of the Angolan secessonists in 1995. Though remnants of the M.P.T.A. would continue to remain a thorn in the Gambian jungles for years after, the Internationale's advance through Africa was effectively halted.
Thus, while the New Great Game continues on, in many respects a microcosm of the global standoff between the Free World and Collectivism, the peace won at Senegal-Lazarie has helped ensure that the light of liberty and civilization in that corner of the globe remains as bright as ever, against the encroaching madness. Had the conflict played out with any other outcome, be it under the thrall of Reds or power-craving dictators, the present and future would look very different, indeed.
-
“The New Haven Review of Foreign Affairs.” American Federation. 2023.
...The newest and most eccentric [of the Crown Protectorates], though, would be the Free State of Senegal-Lazarie, as unlike the others, it's not even in the New World at all, nor any prior history with the Habsburgs. The aristocratic de Lambertyes, whose members had also served with what is now called the Sovereign Knights of Malta, came to assume power over the Kingdom of France's colonization efforts in that corner of Africa. The abolition of slavery in 1773, influx of Frenchmen through various incentives, and the noble house's personal efforts to foster development all contributed to the burgeoning colony being granted "Royal Outremer" privileges in 1880. The onset of the Terror in Europe, though, forced then-Governor Martin de Lambertye to declare independence in 1925, soon being proclaimed Vicomte de Lazarie (invoking Biblical symbolism for one day resurrecting the old homeland). His attempts to placate both the Black African majority and colonial populace led unwittingly to a coup staged by the radical Action Europa, in which the ruling house was killed under mysterious circumstances. The regime was not unlike the infamous Free State of Equatoria, in which most were subservient to those of "true" European lineage, who alone had the right to citizenship, all in the name of "preserving France." This eventually broke down into civil war by 1968, as various factions (many backed by either Collectivists or Reactionaries) vied for power. As various Free Nations sought to support anyone opposed to either ideological camp, the Throne-in-Exile chose to lend arms and reinforcements to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who led what remained of the pre-Reactionary order. While some at the time expected the republican forces (largely backed by the United African States) or the regime remnants (endorsed by Southern Africa) to triumph, the aging refugee proved far more capable than anyone expected. With victory declared in 1977, the liberated country, under its current name, had become part of New Austria's Sphere in all but name, which was formalized the following year. While minor disturbances continue to persist with Collectivist holdouts, most (including the current Vicomte) remain content with their allies, which is likely to persist for the foreseeable future.
Over the decades, all three territories have become host to various bases and outposts, whether under direct and indirect control of the
Reichswehr-Honvédség or that of the
Evidenzbureau's operatives. Their economic, industrial and military contributions to their benefactors have also grown, ostensibly to better confront the Internationale. At the same time, however, they are neither serfs nor glorified puppets, as least as far as most New Austrians are concerned. The protectorates themselves are largely left to their own devices, with the "Chief Commissioners" acting much more as advisors than governors. Whether they were Hispaniolan, Mittelamerikaner or from Senegal-Lazarie, they were given preferential treatment by the realm (with Kuba and Mariazell-am-Meer also serving as vital partners), but were also recognized as independent states (albeit largely recognized only by other royalists) with their own respective embassies and delegates. While the aid provided by those very same benefactors have not only fostered general prosperity and security, but also engendered a sense of loyalty that has been dismissed by republicans as "vassalage."...
- “Atlas Sans Frontieres: The Gaspereau-Thomson Guide to the New World.” Loyalist Canada. 2023.
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Original sources of the map:
The Long Cold War-New Austria's Sphere: RDNA-verse,
The Long Cold War - The New Great Game: RDNA-verse