The
verdict - on trial : seven former heads of state ( The Coup d' etat III
)
With every day passing,
more rumors are circulating, all former heads of states who are found
guilty of crimes of state funds misappropriation will be executed by
firing squad.
It comes as no surprise, the news are filled with daily reports about public
floggings of market enders, women who dare to sell their
wares at inflated prices, above the "control price" indicated by the
ruling Military.
Everything is in chaos. No one dares to open their stores, goods are in
short supply. The rulers did not reckon with such problems and grab
shop owners, force them to open their stores under the watchful eyes of
military personnel.
The masses cheer, they get what they want : Items sold at an
unrealistic price. For many traders, merchants a disaster, most of the
goods are pilfered, others sold on promissory notes, which moneys never
to be recovered.
When the trials begin, hundreds of thousands of under-privileged common
people are following the events, their day of revenge is drawing
nearer.
Although there are moderate factions who do not want the executions to
take place, the overwhelming power of the lower ranks in the Army, who
had suffered for too long, deprived of basic things in their lives,
take over.
The ruling Armed Forces Revolutionary Council cannot but heed to the
calls for revenge, without risking to lose support for their actions.
The military rulers know of the international impact on public opinion
any death verdict may bring, yet they have almost no choice to
influence the outcome, were it not to oppose the lower ranks who helped
the Coup plotters to raise to power.
And thus the verdicts are sealed. When the news break after a short
week of trial, the public cheering is immense. On the saturday morning
the shots ring out on the beach military shooting range, and seven
former heads of state fall victim to their own actions.
The voice of the people has spoken. On public radio it is the coup
leader who defends his new government 's action.. He is now the
people's hero.
And he will be so for the next 20 plus years to come. Days after the
public executions, further rumors go round. One head of state in
particular, his name starting with "A...", apparently (his spirit) was
seen moving about in his hometown.
Another one avoided the bullets by flying away from the scene. The
belief in the supernatural is strong in this part of the world. (No
such story was ever confirmed though and rumors die knowingly fast).
Times are dangerous, individuals are investigated, and every member of
the public who has a grudge against some body can write anonymous
letters to the military who follows up and starts investigating the
unlucky fellow.
It is a time of witch hunting, a time of uncertainty. Many innocent
people are arrested, sometimes never to return from their captivity.
Especially cruel are the interrogations at the old colonial building
near the sea, people have been tortured, and flown out by helicopter to
be dumped into the sea at night.
We keep a low profile, as much as possible, follow our daily routines.
Many expatriates leave to other countries, fearing for their safety.
Not without reason. For the living a caution, how life can sometimes
change quickly.
To the memory of those who lost their lives during the period.....
Next : The transition
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