Book Title: The Mine
ISBN 9781476392059
Part of Series: Sequel
to ‘The Last Bature’. Others by the same
author include ‘The Up-Country Man’, ‘Tribal Gathering’ and ‘Boom Town
Author: Kenneth
Ryeland
Price: $3.00
Number of words (approximately): 109 334
Star Rating (of five): 4
Summary: Nibana, a
newly-independent African republic, lurches from crisis to crisis, as competing
factions based on tribal lines struggle to obtain control of the wealth of the
new nation. The British Intelligence
officer in-country attempts to steer the conflict to achieve a result favorable
to Britain
Extract:
- The East German looked at Briggs and wondered why
the Nibanans had chosen such a stupid man for this important work.
“Well, Mr Briggs,” began Herr Vogel, “it is most
unusual for a job of this nature to be undertaken without at least half of the
cost up-front. However, in the light of
the brave struggle by the people of the Eastern Region against the capitalistic
greed of the fascist military leaders of Nibana; we of the German Democratic
Republic, and our Soviet allies, would be only too happy to assist the future young
republic in its fight to establish a pure socialist society in West Africa. We
shall waive the requirement of a deposit in return for the establishment of a
true socialist presence in the form of East German military and civilian
advisors, once the new republic has been established. Do not forget, the
Obilanders will require all the help they can get, and recognition by a major
power such as the German Democratic Republic, and possibly the Soviet Union , will enhance the country’s standing in the
world. It will also ensure continued trade with the Soviet Bloc should the capitalist
West refuse to trade, which they will surely do in order to show solidarity
with the so-called bona-fide, fascist military government of Nibana.
Furthermore, should the military government of Nibana decide to mount an attack
in order to bring the region back into the corrupt and decadent federation,
they would be discouraged somewhat by the presence of East German, or even Soviet,
military advisors. Oh, and I almost forgot, several tankers loaded with the
light, almost sulphur-free crude oil from this region would go down well with
the people of East Germany, harassed and starved of some creature comforts as
they are by the capitalist West generally and the United States in particular.”
Briggs had scribbled down every word in an attempt to
understand what Herr Vogel had actually said and enable him to repeat it to the
major verbatim. Briggs was ignorant of world politics and didn’t really grasp
the meaning of many of the things that were being outlined to him.
With their business apparently completed, both men
left the bar and agreed to meet again in two days to enable Briggs to provide a
final reply to Vogel regarding his proposal for proceeding with the printing job.
“You agreed what?” screamed the major when Briggs read
from the notes he’d made at the meeting with Herr Vogel.
“No, Major, I did not agree to anything. I simply said
I would put the points to you,” said Briggs quite calmly.
“Give me those notes and wait here,” said the major
testily, snatching the piece of paper from Briggs’ hand.
Colonel Ojumwu was busy adding details to the plan of
secession when his ADC entered the office. He looked up and closed the file in
front of him before asking wearily, “Yes, Major, what is it?”
“Sir,” began the colonel’s ADC, “I need your approval
for the money printing deal. The people in Lagos
“However, we have found someone who can print the
money we require just as well and much cheaper than the Nigerians; thieves that
they are, sir. The East Germans have said they can do it, and let us face it,
sir, they print their own money and it is acceptable to a sophisticated European
population, so why not let them print ours? There are only two problems, they
are looking to establish links with us when we finally secede and they would like
us to deliver several tanker loads of oil as a gesture of goodwill before the
contract starts. They have promised to recognise us the moment we declare
secession and to encourage the Soviet Union to
do the same, sir. You must admit that would be very useful for us, sir.”
The colonel stared at the major for several minutes
before getting up from his chair and walking around his desk to stare out of
the window at the beautifully tended lawns of Government House.
“Major, do we really need these East Germans here
after we declare our freedom from the Nibanans? Will it not be just like it was
under British rule during colonial times? Do we really want to share our oil wealth
with these people? On the other hand,” continued the colonel before the major
could respond to his questions, “we need recognition and we need friends and we
also need someone to sell arms and ammunition to us should the Nibanans resort
to violence. The British will side with the Nibanans, as will the United States and the rest of Europe .
It seems, therefore, that only the Communist Bloc will deal with us. As to them
wanting oil for their impoverished people in East Germany
Reviewer’s Comments:
Structure: The book is
well structured and easy to read, with grammar and syntax satisfactory.
Content: The story
moves well, keeping interest at a good level.
It is a good companion to the author’s other Nibana and Africa books.
Reviewer’s Comments: This book
illustrates why the Dark Continent remains in
poverty to a great extent. It shows the
greed, tribalism, political manipulation, both internally and from abroad, that
has characterized the African scene, and continues to do so. In many ways, the name of the country Nibana
could easily be changed to Zimbabwe
or South Africa
‘The Mine’ is a book that will make the reader angry
and annoyed, at the lost opportunities of the great powers in the way they
managed their withdrawal from Africa, and at the unbridled greed of their
political successors in African countries.
Wish that it did not so accurately reflect the truth of Africa .
Karin B
No comments:
Post a Comment