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Desert Journeyman
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The Imperial Remnant
Jan 2001
time: 05:13
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Federated Territories of the Gold Coast
An Abbreviated Chronology
c.1939-c.1945
The Second World War begins with the invasion of Poland by forces representative of both the Desutsch Reich and the Soviet Union. British and Free French interests dominate the region for the remainder of hostilities, none of which impeede the general politics or economics of any of the de-facto territories under the Crown's indirect control.
1946
Responding to Nigerian demands for increased self-rule and indigenous government, the British divided the overseas department into three administrative regions, each with a democratically-appointed advisory assembly. Despite claims to the contrary, these "ministers of information" were little more than impotent figureheads.
1949
Having forfieted the majority of their overseas colonies, the British, now reluctant to do the same with its lucrative Gold Coast, furnished signifigant investment towards Nigeria, contributing signifigantly towards the development of large industrial parks within the urabn radii of both Lagos and Ibadan. Similar mechanization occurs outside the city of Accara in Ghana. Less prominent fiscal packages forwarded by South Africa were also key to exploiting reserves of patroleum within Nigeria and Gabon. As a result, London and Pretorea maintain ownership over nearly 82% of the Gold Coast's petrol claims via investment firms, bank cheques, or private interests.
1950
Overtures of interest continue as British financiers organize the Gold Coast Investment Firm (GCIF), a multi-national organization whose sole purpose is to oversee the affairs of Britian's African territories, with a primary focus on Nigeria, whom London has now classified as a "region for development". Similarly, the GCIF functions with the long-term intent of ensuring Lagos operates in exact accordance with the desires of the British king. In October, the "Dahomey Economic Fund" is drawn up. This legislation shall extend London's capital to Porto Novo, where Nigerian influence has gained the most support. Deposits of phosphates, as well as agricultural products (coffee and cotton) are developed by the British, even as French rule begins to deteriorate. Covert British funding is levied to Porto Novo's political opposition fronts via South African sources.
c.1951-c.1959
Investment continued at a lesser pace than before, hindering exploitation of Nigeria's minerals and strategic commodities. Because of the British economic lapse, South Africa was the only major source of funds - and even then, these could not compare with even the most meager of sums ever sent from London. Indeed, the only events of signifigance to occur during the decade were the increased stress by Lagos' upon local British and French dependancies. In 1954, the colony was reorganized as the Nigerian Federation, and the assemblies gained slightly more authority when dealing with British representatives. Sir Akubar Tafawa Balewa became Niger's first Prime Minister, though the man was unpopular thanks to his Western attitudes, Oxford education, and distance from the Nigerian populance. In addition, he retained little power, and deteriorated to 'figurehead' status in 1958.
1960
The former French possessions of Togoland, Dahomey, Gabon, and Coté D'Ivoire gain independance from French rule and establish their own governments, all of which become mired in accusations of election fraud. Violent riots between protestors and pro-government forces break out in the cities of Port-Gentil, Lomé, and Yamossoukro. Libreville follows two weeks later, and 'national emergencies' are declared by the ineffective administrations, many of which evaporate under the strain. In January, the first "Nigerian advisors" - backed by the GCIF - arrive in Dahomey and Coté D'Ivoire, where they become instrumental in establishing interrim governments. The tribal situation in Nigeria has meanwhile become explosive, as several different native groups have begun to compete for influence and domination of the ineffectual political spectrum.
1961
After a series of devestating protests in Lagos, British troops arrive to quell unrest - a task completed with stunning efficiency albiet brutality. Similar crackdowns occur as British mercenaries join the GCIF in bringing British influence to Dahomey, Gabon, and Coté D'Ivoire. The attempts are modestly successful, especially where aided by investment into the economies of those respective states, most of whom continue to struggle against the modern era on competitive world markets. A plebiscite by the residents of British Camroons is derailed by vote fraud, as the British covertly alter the balance of the election to vote down sucession from the Federation. The construction of textile factories and coffee plantations aids to quiet the region, which has already begun to suspect foul play. Tensions are also soothed in Nigeria proper, when British chemical firms break ground on complexes in both Kaduna and Kano. By now, the benefits of the patroleum export have begun to appear, as Nigeria's stock market rises above those of similar African nations, and is second only to those of Egypt and South Africa.
c.1962-c.1980
During an era of general stability, the British - via insurgence or economic domination - manage to bring Gabon, Equitorial Guinea, Benin, the Togoland and Ivory Coast, as well as Ghana, under their complete jurisdiction. Each lobbied to become a member of the British Commonwealth, and were subsequently garrisoned by British troops. During the latter part of the 1970s, immigration by British citizens helped to vitalize the markets and infrastructures of Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. Textiles, automobiles, electronics, patroleum, chemicals, iron, and columbite, rubber, tin, cement-making, agricultural export, and the herding of livestock, have all contributed to markets in Nigeria. Phosphates, diamonds, gold, iron, coffees, coal, and palm oil have similarly benefited the economies of other Gold Coast nations.
c.1980-c.2000+
In the spirit of increasing its military capacity, Britain funded the foundation of an indigenous weapons provisioner and defense industry both in Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. The Gold Coast Defense Industry (GCDI) has contributed signifigantly to the regions defense, which was until previously, maintained only with Soviet castaways and British antiquities. Thus far, several models of Chieftan battle tanks have been upgraded and retooled into Nigeria's own Driver MBT, a capable vehicle able to engage the T-72 on reasonable terms. Soviet models were similarly upgraded - a project made easier by their capability to easily encorporate NATO components. Nigeria's airforce is currently reliant upon the MiG-21, -23, and -25. Two under-strength squadrons of F-16C/Ds do exist, as well as a number of Cheetah-Imapalas. Nigeria does not produce aircraft domestically. Most of her artillery and AAA weaponary is also purchased abroad - generally from South Africa, who also provides examples of the Rooikat and Buffel, chief workhorses of the Gold Coast's defensive forces. A number of small missile craft exist for local defense and customs. One outdated British frigate has been designated the Nigerian flagship. Currently, there is substantial focus on the development of the economy - with emphasis on strategic commodities. The United States has currently been approached.
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24-04-2001 09:32
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