Universal News - Pampean Multiversal Lore and News

[Federal League of the Pampas]

Welcome to Universal News! On this website, the Multiversal Fortuna Audiovisual Corporation will share news about ongoing events in the Federal League of the Pampas and the world of the nation. Any questions, requests, and doubts shall be answered via telegram.

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Referendum on Senegalese Independence to be Held on 12 December

Montevideo, 16 November 2021

For the last few years, tensions have been rising in the Territory of Senegal. Previously a colony of France, Senegal was awarded to the Federal League due to its contribution to the Weltkrieg, especially on naval warfare and the Battle of Iberia. The Federal League was in an awkward position, being the only non-European country to hold territory in Africa, and also was criticized for the treatment given to its subjects. Following the guerrilla warfare waged in Senegal since the decade of 1950, Pampean President Leonel Brizola granted autonomy to Senegal in 1968, although the Senegal War didn't stop: the Senegalese rebel leader, Mbanyi Mbaye, said he wouldn't stop until "total liberty was achieved." The conflict increased by the 1970s, and a refugee crisis ensued. Most of the refugees fled to neighboring colonies, such as the Romanian Gambia and Swedish Mauretania. However, a minority was housed in the metropolitan area of the Pampas. The government couldn't tolerate the war anymore, and a massive military campaign in Senegal was undertaken by the Federal Army. In a matter of ten years, the Senegalese Independence movement was crushed, and Mbaye was rotting at the bottom of the ocean. While the territory was pacified, Senegal was no more: villages turned into ghost towns, famine and disease were widespread, and the land became utterly useless. Instead of being a lucrative land, Senegal was a burden on the finances of the Federal League. Not only that, but the war also tarnished the country's reputation.

Despite those factors, several presidents have refused to let Senegal run its own course. Although former president Tabaré Vázquez showed sympathy for the Senegalese Independence Movement back in 2002, the military coup of 2006 prevented the independence of the Territory of Senegal. As dictator Marcus Bentacur once said, "we know what's better for them." Nonetheless, the first president democratically elected since 2006, Luis Quintiliano, has demonstrated support for the Senegalese struggle for independence. Elected in 2019, he managed to form a coalition composed of both left-wing and right-wing parties. Despite fierce opposition from conservative elements of society, president Quintiliano has managed to pass the Independence Bill in 2020. According to the law project, a referendum on Senegalese independence should be held within a span of three years. Since then, the Territory of Senegal has been preparing for the first democratic experience in its history. On 1st November 2021, the Senegalese governor, Fernando Sadiacu, announced that Senegal was ready to hold the independence referendum.

On 11th November, the date of the referendum was announced: 12 December of 2021, a Sunday. On 15th November, the campaign for the independence referendum began. The Separatist Coalition, led by the Patriotic Union of Senegal, is represented by Salif Gueye. The Loyalist Coalition is led by the Democratic Party, whose leader is Fernando Sadiacu, the current governor of Senegal. Polls indicate that the majority of citizens will vote for independence, although not by a large margin.

It is also important to note that the Independence Bill will grant a period of two years for Senegalese-born citizens to opt for Pampean citizenship upon Senegalese independence.

[Federal League of the Pampas]

Military Dictatorship Apologists on Suicide Watch

Porto Alegre, 17 November 2021

When general Alexandre Campos announced the return of democracy back in 2018, nobody expected what would follow. Alexandre was a liberal dictator - unlike his predecessor, Marcus Bentancur, who is well known for his trigger-happy behavior. Mr. Campos welcomed exiled politicians and artists, announced the end of the Court for Crimes Against the Pampean Nation, and held the 2019 presidential elections, which were the first truly democratic elections since 2004. Undoubtedly, this wouldn't have happened without the consent of the majority of the Federal Military. The international image of the Federal League was tainted, and its reputation was in tatters. Also, there was the risk of losing its influence in the rest of South America - who can imagine the Pampas without its little sphere of influence? And the most important thing of all, if the Pampas were to lose its influence in the continent, the country would lose the title of "Gate to South America".

When Luis Quintiliano, from the National Party of the Gaucho Workingman (the PNTG) won the presidential election, one thing was for sure: the hardliners would pay for their crimes. Yes, it took a little longer than expected, but the day many people longed for, finally arrived. Last Tuesday, 16 November 2021, acting President André Ferreira Gomes (PNTG) announced the creation of the Tribunal of Truth and Justice. The tribunal will judge those accused of human rights violations during the military dictatorship that lasted for thirteen years. Although the exact number of victims is unknown, it is estimated between 5,000 to 20,000 deaths, along with many other people left scarred and tortured.

While the move was applauded by most politicians and a large portion of the population, the more nationalist elements of society opposed it. The Anti-Rationalist Party (PAR) denounced the establishment of the Tribunal, accusing Vice President Gomes of "collaborating with subversive foreign agents". Other politicians and public personalities also opposed the move, including members of the PNTG. It's important to note that the PNTG was part of the ruling coalition during the military dictatorship, although it was a highly factionalized party, divided into Moderates, Hardliners, and Liberals.

On the same day, Federal Legislator for Santa Catarina, Maristela de Cássia (Popular Party), sent a bill to the Federal Parliament. Her bill proposes the re-establishment of voting rights for immigrants and persecuted religious minorities. The move was lauded by the Muslim, Buddhist, and Mormon communities of the Pampas, although the right-wing accuses Maristela of abusing "cheap populism" to attract voters from minority groups. Vice President Gomes has applauded de Cássia's initiative, despite the fact that she is one of the leading members of the opposition. President Quintiliano has not commented on Maristela's bill, but he did congratulate Gomes for the establishment of the Tribunal of Truth and Justice. "We can no longer pretend that nothing happened - or even worse, that what happened saved our nation from imaginary foes" commented President Quintiliano.

General Orlando Steffens, responsible for the 2006 coup against democratically-elected president Germano Rigotto, has not commented on the recent developments. Former president Alexandre Campos stated that he is "willing to collaborate with the investigations." Former president and retired general Marcus Bentancur Smith was not found by our team.

[Federal League of the Pampas]

Portuguese Border Guards Clashes with Moroccan Army; Both Countries are Mobilized

Lisbon, 18 November 2021

Since the end of the Weltkrieg, the former Spanish territories of Ceuta, Melilla, Ifni, and Western Sahara are under Portuguese control. However, Portuguese legitimacy over these territories has been contested by the Kingdom of Morocco since the decade of 1950, when the Moroccans achieved independence. Morocco considers these territories as a core part of their nation, that have been stolen by imperialist powers that seek to "enslave and exterminate the faithful", according to the words of the Moroccan King Mohammed VII himself. Relations between Morocco and Portugal have never been peaceful - in fact, both countries have been at the throats of each other for many centuries - starting in 1415 with the first Portuguese expedition to Ceuta, although Moroccan pirates did raid the Portuguese coast for many years before the Portuguese took some action.

Now, it seems tensions have reached a breaking point. Shortly past midnight, shots were fired near a Portuguese outpost in the Western Sahara-Morocco border. It's unknown who shot first, and each side accuses the other of starting the gunfight that resulted in 13 deaths: 5 Portuguese border guards and 8 Moroccan soldiers. The leader of the Islamic State and unrecognized Caliph, Masud el-Abdullah, called for a Jihad against the Portuguese. "Expel them from Africa! Spare no one!" proclaimed the Caliph. The recognized Caliph of the Sunni faith, Ottoman Sultan Abdulrahim Osman, called for a peaceful resolution between both countries."Petty Colonial disputes shouldn't be solved by gallons of blood," says the Ottoman Caliph.

It seems Morocco has opted to listen to the unrecognized Caliph instead of the legitimate one, as vessels of the Moroccan navy are already heading to Western Sahara and Ifni. The Moroccan navy is significantly better than the Portuguese one; although both navies have roughly the same size, the Portuguese navy has been neglected due to the continuous economic stagnation that have been plaguing Portugal since the decade of 1990. Morocco has purchased several submarines and destroyers from the Ottoman Empire and even has a helicopter carrier. Meanwhile, Portugal still uses submarines from the decade of 1960 and has not a single aircraft carrier.

The German Empire and the United Kingdom have called for the restoration of relations between Morocco and Portugal. France and Italy, on the behalf of the Latin League (an organization which Portugal is part of) have expressed their support for Portugal. No country other than the Islamic State of Arabia has expressed its support for Morocco. As of now, news from the Salazarist Portuguese regime is scarce - according to eyewitnesses, Portugal has been evacuating citizens from Ceuta and Melilla, sending them to take refuge in Spain, who's also a member of the Latin League. Will there be a major conflict, or will the conflict be limited? Hopefully, the answer is neither: we all hope the situation is solved peacefully and both countries come to a compromise. After all, the pen is mightier than the sword.

[Federal League of the Pampas]

Morocco Sinks Portuguese Ship Near Tangier; Portuguese President Declares State of War

Lisbon, 19 November 2021

Eugénio Salazar, son of former Portuguese president António de Oliveira Salazar, organized an emergencial meeting at the Belém Palace. It was three in the morning when the meeting began - doors were closed to journalists, as it is the norm of the Portuguese Salazarist regime. Two hours later, the President issued a decree, formalizing the state of war between Portugal and Morocco. As a result, relations between both countries were officially broken down, as well as economic ties. Moroccan assets in Portugal were frozen, although there already is talk of confiscating the assets. Although fighting in Western Sahara went on through the entire day and night, it wasn't the military clashes that urged the Portuguese president to act like this. Not only has Morocco been sieging Ceuta, Melilla, and Ifni, but it already was blockading Portuguese ports - and this last action was the trigger that officialized war between both countries. At 23:34 of 18 November 2021, a Portuguese civilian ship - the Bragança - attempted to violate the Moroccan naval blockade, and was sunk by Moroccan destroyers. According to Moroccan authorities, it was a merchant ship; however, an hour later it turned out to be a ship carrying 3,000 civilians fleeing from Ceuta. Although 200 civilians were rescued, the rest perished in the attack or drowned in the Atlantic Ocean.

This will certainly heat up the conflict; Portuguese aircraft can be already seen searching for targets on Moroccan air space. The Moroccan air force is larger than the Portuguese one, although they lack anti-aerial defenses. The United Kingdom, Germany, and France condemned the attack. The United Kingdom promised an intervention in the war "to protect Portuguese civilians" if the Moroccans sink another civilian ship. Italy, as the owners of Gibraltar, has not commented on the attack despite previously supporting the Portuguese. Spain, as a largely disarmed nation, also has not commented on the Sinking of the Bragança. According to unconfirmed sources, Spain is willing to help Portugal if the Portuguese cede the territories of Western Sahara and Ifni, which once were part of Spain.

The Sinking of the Bragança was met with mixed reactions around the world. In Europe and Latin America, the public was outraged, with some politicians going as far as promising to intervene in the war or send help to the Portuguese. In North America, the public reacted negatively to the incident, although intervention is not considered. In the Middle East, the reaction was mostly positive, especially in the Islamic State. The Socialist Republic of Iran condemned the attack on the Bragança but praised the "Moroccan effort against imperialism". In Asia, the sinking was met negatively, except in India (which claims Portuguese territories) and China (which claims Macau, a Portuguese port near Hong Kong).

In the Federal League, support for Portugal is strong. Several politicians have asked for Pampas to honor its place in the Latin League and join the war on behalf of Portugal, sending its navy to combat the Moroccans. Although a Sunni Mullah spoke in favor of the Moroccans, no other Pampean figures showed their support for the Moroccan war effort. President Luis Quintiliano has not commented on the Moroccan attack, although vice president André Ferreira Gomes condemned it, saying that "the Portuguese will make the Moroccans pay with their blood."

[Federal League of the Pampas]

Pampas Joins Anti-Moroccan Coalition! Third fleet sails towards North Africa!

Montevideo, 6 December 2021

After weeks of discussion between the pro-war parliament and the pacifist federal president, Luis Quintiliano, the parliament defeated the president's veto against intervention on 3 December. "We should offer all help we can against the Saracen menace", said Bernardo Hoffmann, leader of the Riograndense Republican Party. The support for intervention was protested by left-wing elements, which condemned the government's support for an "oppressive and racist colonial empire" (sic). "We have learned nothing from centuries under Iberian woe" stated Anibal Lopez, federal Legislator for Uruguay.

The ardently anti-colonialist president Quintiliano has opposed both Portuguese control in Africa and the Moroccan aggression against Portuguese civilian ships, thus preferring to stay neutral on the conflict. But apparently his vice-president, André Gomes had other plans. "We cannot tolerate such crimes against our brothers on the other side of the Atlantic," said the vice-president. "The World League, once again, demonstrated its apathy towards larger conflicts. If the responsible organization doesn't act, then a coalition of countries must do." The hawkish declarations of the vice-president harmed relations between him and president Quintiliano. The Relation between both individuals is already tense, as a disparity of values and conflict of interests become more apparent with each month that passes and each law that is approved or vetoed.

With the intervention approved, the Pampas joined the North African Defense Coalition, composed of Portugal, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. As it is apparent, Pampas is the only non-European country to join the coalition, and it will support Coalition troops with equipment, foodstuff, and naval support. On 5 December, the third fleet began its voyage to Portugal. The Third fleet is composed of the Aircraft Carrier José Batlle, two battleships, seven destroyers, 12 frigates, 26 corvettes, and 20 submarines, including 8 nuclear-powered submarines.

Over the last weeks, Morocco attempted to conduct air raids on mainland Portugal but failed to wreak havoc thanks to the participation of the French air force. By the first days of December, Morocco ended its blockade on Portugal, but before leaving, Morocco carried out a bombing of the Portuguese ports. The situation in Western Sahara is tense, as the Moroccans are capable of making fast advances against the obsolete Portuguese army. Ceuta and Melilla had been reduced to ashes, but the Portuguese still are holding their position, and so far, every single Moroccan attempt to take the cities have failed in what has been dubbed "the Rif Miracle".

Despite the arrival of international jihadist brigades to fight on behalf of Morocco, the future indeed seems dark for the only independent North African country, as only time will tell how much Morocco will pay for its crimes against peace.