Characters / TNO West Africa

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West Coast

Wolofia

^{Flag of Wolofia (PALF)}

Official Name: Republic of Wolofia, Socialist Republic of Senegal (PALF), Republic of Sénégal (FMA)

Ruling Party: Bloc Démocratique Wolof^note Wolof Democratic Bloc

Ideology: Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism

A republic located in former French Senegal and British Gambia.

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• Plot Hole: Despite being named as if it is a Wolof-dominant state, President Senghor is actually a Serer (with a Fula mother), and is a big proponent of the plurinational Négritude theory.
• The Federation: If the WAA wins the West African War, the countries in the Alliance will renew the alliance into the West African Federation, in order to promote mutual development and security in West Africa.
• The Leader: If the West African Alliance forms, then Wolofia will always be a leading member of it, alongside Mali and (in the WAA/PALF scenario) Free France.
• A Lighter Shade of Grey: Though it is mostly made up of kleptocratic dictators, the West African Alliance is less objectionable than the neocolonial French Military Alliance, since they are at least ruled by native Africans.
• Neutral No Longer: In the WAA/FMA/PALF scenario, the formation of the West African Alliance between Wolofia and Mali is triggered by Free France's invasion of Mossiland. This is Averted in the WAA/PALF scenario, where the West African Alliance forms in peacetime between Wolofia, Mali, and Free France in response to general growing tensions across Africa.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork:
  • The government is heavily divided between the remaining French administrators and the pan-Africanists who want to expel all European influence out of Wolofia.
  • If Wolofia joins the French Military Alliance in response to the Pan-African Liberation Front's aggression, the alliance is described as tenuous and susceptible to collapse once the pan-Africanists are defeated.
• Villain Team-Up: Whereas the FMA and PALF are both dominated by a clear hegemon, this is not the case with the WAA; Wolofia is simply the first among equals in a gentlemen's agreement between various African tinpot dictators (with the exception of de Gaulle, if Free France is a member) who agree that their bottom line would be hurt by either French colonialism (in case they formed in opposition to the FMA) or a socialist revolution.

Léopold Sédar Senghor

Role: Head of State

Party: Bloc Démocratique Wolof^note Wolof Democratic Bloc

Ideology: Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} 16 years of wandering. That's how long it took for Léopold Sédar Senghor, the first President of the Republic of Wolofia, to arrive at a place he can call home. A poet and an intellectual well versed in French, Senghor was one of the few black subjects of colonial France privileged enough to study at the Sorbonne University, and become a professor in French grammar after graduation. Despite being an outspoken critic of racism present in French society, he enrolled in the French Army and fought against the Nazis believing in a future that would treat all men like equals. Sadly, this did not come to pass. Captured by the Germans, he and his fellow soldiers narrowly avoided execution and escaped their prison camps by being released for medical reasons.

When the war was over and it was clear that there was no more hope for liberation in Europe, Senghor returned to West Africa to take control back from the inept Petainiste colonial administration. The new Republic of Wolofia was a country founded on the principles of African liberation and "negritude", an anti-colonialist concept developed in part by Senghor himself which bases itself in the idea of a strong African national culture. At the same time, President Senghor still maintains strong ties to the old French republic, keeping close contacts with De Gaulle and letting some French administrators be part of his government.

This ambiguity did not elude his critics, who were quick to point out the dissonance between his calls for African liberation and his loyalty to the old oppressors. After all, a tiger doesn't proclaim its tigerness; it jumps on its prey. The black man doesn't need permission from some now irrelevant whites to govern, he simply has to take what's his by right. With the lack of any strong opposition to Senghor in the government, Wolofia became a politically stagnant nation and pan-African revolutionaries want to remove him and his French lackeys to create a state modeled after Cameroon. But now that he found his home, Senghor is not in the mood to wander anymore. He will turn Wolofia into a shining example for all Africans, and some sacrifices are in order.

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• Category Traitor: Even though he's a firm opponent against racism, many pan-Africanists criticize him for maintaining old ties with Free France, believing that such an alliance is irreconcilable with African nationalism.
• Old Friend: Even though he's seceded from Free France, he still keeps close contact with Charles de Gaulle, even recruiting some French administrators for his government.
• We Used to Be Friends: His friendly relationship with Charles de Gaulle can sour if Free France aggressively invades and annexes Mossiland, driving Senghor to form the West African Alliance in opposition to them.

Cheikh Anta Diop

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Party: Bloc des Masses Wolof^note Wolof Masses' Bloc

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: In OTL, Diop was a well-known historian and anthropologist, whose writings were foundational to Afrocentricity and marked a postcolonial study on African civilizations. If the PALF win the WAW in this timeline, Diop delves further into politics and gets put in charge of Wolofia.

Cheikh Tidiane Sy

Role: Head of State (French victory)

Party: Bloc Démocratique Wolof^note Wolof Democratic Bloc

Ideology: Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism

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• The Quisling: If Senghor chose to defy the French and got defeated by them in the West African War, they replace him with Serigne Cheikh, an even more obedient collaborator, as President of Wolofia.

Jola

Official Name: Republic of the Jola

Ruling Party: Union Progressiste Jola - Unitaristes^note Jola Progressive Union - Unitarians

Ideology: Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism

A Jola nation located in the region of Casamance, which was formerly owned by Wolofia. Jola seceded from Wolofia following a narrow referendum in the 1950s.

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• Small, Secluded World: After earning independence from Wolofia through a referendum, Jola pursued a policy of strict isolation from the rest of the world.
• Undying Loyalty: Jola will always side with Wolofia in the West African War.

Émile Badiane

Role: Military Commander, Head of State

Party: Union Progressiste Jola - Unitaristes^note Jola Progressive Union - Unitarians

Ideology: Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} The concept of a Jola nation is a relatively new one. Before recent times, the region of Casamance was simply another part of Wolofia. The people there lived as Wolofians did, and the region was quite normal for the chaos of West Africa.

That is, until one man started raising a fuss.

Emile Badiane was born in 1915, and became a stellar student in school. His passion for education never died, as he became a school teacher after his graduation. For a time, that seemed to be the highest power he would reach in his life. When the war came and went, however, Badiane saw his chance to become something more, and entered politics. There, he found a movement he was all for- the independence of the Jola people, of which he was one.

Deftly cutting through any and all opposition, he became the spokesperson of the Jola in the mid-50's. From there, a quick series of massive protests, long-winded speeches, and constant obstructions forced Wolofia to hold a referendum on independence, which narrowly passed. With that behind him, Badiane officially declared the Jola Republic and seceded.

Now, Badiane leads the Jola into a new age for West Africa. Staunchly isolationist, Badiane continues to rest on his laurels and accomplishments of years past. While this has earned him much respect as a founding father of the nation, it does not grant him many supporters. With a surging opposition growing more and more threatening every day, it remains to be seen whether Badiane can continue his rule. If he cannot control the politics of Jola as he controlled the schoolyard long ago, his days are surely numbered.

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• How the Mighty Have Fallen: In his quest to secede Jola from Wolofia, he successfully led a quick series of protests, speeches, and other obstructions that forced a referendum that narrowly passed. Now, his career has largely stagnated by adopting an isolationist foreign policy, where he's still trying to ride high on his accomplishments from the past. Unfortunately, many are starting to get fed up with him and it's uncertain if he can keep his position.

Guinea

^{Flag of Guinea (PALF)}

Official Name: Socialist Republic of Guinea

Ruling Party: Parti Démocratique de Guinée-Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Guinean Democratic Party - African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

A democratic republic located in the former French Guinea.

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• Disaster Democracy: They survived the German bombings of West Africa and are one of the most stable nations in the region.

Ahmed Sékou Touré

Role: Head of State

Party: Parti Démocratique de Guinée-Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Guinean Democratic Party - African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Among the chaos and violence that engulfed Africa, there are a few spots of hope, shining like embers in the dark - and for many, Guinea and its president, Ahmed Sékou Touré, is one of them. Born in a Muslim family of the Mandinka aristocracy, and descending from the ancient rulers of the Wassoulou Empire, Touré received a Quranic education before becoming a postal clerk and rapidly getting involved in unions as an organizer and leader, showing clear sympathies for socialism. As the French rule over Africa slowly collapsed, all too often replaced by local warlords filling the power vacuum, Touré became more and more involved in Guinean politics, becoming the leader of the Democratic Party of Guinean and leading the fight for rule of law against the looming shadow of warlordism.
It wasn't long before Touré, thanks to his charisma and political talent, managed to become the president of the new Republic of Guinea, and one of the chief representatives of the African struggle for democracy and freedom. At least, that's what Guinean propaganda says - as always, truth is a bit more complex. In order to secure his hold over the country, Touré had to compromise on many of the ideals that he ostensibly cherishes - offering ludicrous benefits to the military to stave off the menace of warlordism while harshly repressing opposition to his rule.
Touré's heavily dirigist economic policies, revolving around extensive economic planning and state-funded industrial expansion, have brought on mixed results, and Guinea's economy is still struggling. Despite this, and his many other shortcomings, Touré is still exceedingly popular in Guinea and beyond, and many still regard Guinea as one of the few democracies of Africa - but only time will tell if the Father of Guinea will succeed in his plans to make his homeland a true beacon of freedom and prosperity for the African peoples.

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• Anti-Hero: He's certainly done a lot to benefit Guinea, but fewer know about the corrupt tactics he used to achieve them, namely offering ludicrous benefits to the military to stave off a coup and silencing criticism against his government.
• Hope Bringer: To the rest of West Africa, he's established one of the most prosperous democracies in the region, giving hope for the many Africans who've survived the German bombings.
• Pragmatic Hero: He shows clear sympathies for the common worker and does mean well, but he's also had to achieve his goals through repressing opposition to his rule.
• Universally Beloved Leader: He's widely beloved in Guinea and even beyond that.

Louis Lansana Beavogui

Role: Head of State (WAA victory), Head of Government (Touré, Beavogui and Noumandian Keita cabinet)

Party: Forces Armées^note Armed Forces

Ideology: Controlled Democracy^note Paternalism

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• Allohistorical Allusion: The real Beavogui collaborated with the French when Guinea was still a colony and got elected to the National Assembly of France, which is the basis of how he collaborates with Free France and becomes their puppet President of Guinea after they win the West African War.

Koumandian Keita

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Party: Parti Démocratique de Guinée-Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Guinean Democratic Party - African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Regime Change: If Cameroon is victorious over a hostile Guinea, Koumandian Keita will be installed as leader of the country.

Noumandian Keita

Role: Military Commander, Head of Government (Touré, Beavogui and Noumandian Keita cabinet), Head of State (French victory)

Party: Forces Armeés^note Armed Forces

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

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• Regime Change: If Free France is victorious over a hostile Guinea, Noumandian Keita will be installed as leader of the country.

Sierra Leone and Liberia

Mendi

^{Flag of the Socialist Republic of Sierra Leone}

Official Name: Mendi State, Socialist Republic of Sierra Leone (PALF)

Ruling Party: Mendi State Armed Forces

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

The Mendi State is a Mendi nationalist dictatorship located in Sierra Leone. The British colony of Sierra Leone decolonized during the collapse of the British Empire, creating the democratic Republic of Sierra Leone. The Republic lasted for a total of four days before Brigadier David Lansana couped the government and installed his dictatorship, as the first elected government opposed his military clique's interests.

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• The Alliance: If Mendi survives the Mano Campaign, the country will join the OFN for protection from the Pan-Africanists.
• Villainous Underdog: Mendi (a junta ruled by a tinpot military dictator) and Liberia (an Apartheid state) are much smaller combined than the PALF and stand no real chance when they launch the Mano Campaign, with the OFN paralysed by the Oil Crisis and unable to send much help. At best, they can hold off long enough to call a ceasefire and the preservation of the status quo; actually defeating the PALF is not on the table.
• We ARE Struggling Together: It is said that the only reason David Lansana is still in power is that the opposition to his rule isn't unified in a common front.

David Lansana

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Head of Government (Lansana cabinet)

Party: Mendi State Armed Forces

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} When the world trembled under the German panzers and the Japanese battleships, old overlords fell, and new hopeful nations rose in their place, free from the chains that used to bind them. One such nation was the Republic of Sierra Leone, once merely one of the many African colonies of the British Empire, now a fledgling democracy - one that wasn't destined to last. Merely four days after the republic was proclaimed and a democratically elected government was held, the armed forces forcefully seized the capital, led by none other than Brigadier David Lansana.

Born in 1922 from a prominent Mende family, Lansana was one of the few in Sierra Leone who was selected to undergo military training as an officer in the United Kingdom. Upon returning to his homeland, he married the daughter of a Mende paramount chief - furthering his already extensive network of political connections. When the British hastily retreated from Africa, Lansana became the leader of the Sierra Leonean armed forces. Despite his proclaimed commitment to Sierra Leonean democracy, Lansana had no qualms about couping the government when a party opposed to his clique won in the country's first elections - and now, he stands as the leader of the new, Mendi state that replaced the Republic.

From the outset, Lansana's regime was unstable, marred by strong inter ethnic conflicts (which was only exacerbated by the new wave of Mendi nationalism and suprematism), and by the rising power of generals and local warlords formally allied to Lansana, such as general Andrew Juxon-Smith. With Lansana's hold on power growing more and more shaky, and the Mendi economy struggling to pick up speed, it seems like the only reason the general wasn't ousted from power and his tinpot regime removed is that the opposition to his rule isn't unified in a common front - at least for now.

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• 0% Approval Rating: He's widely hated within his own country, where everyone blames him for Mendi's widespread corruption and stagnant economy.
• Military Coup: Lansana came into power by having the army marching on the Sierra Leonean capital four days after a party opposed to his clique won in the country's first election.
• President for Life: If his party loses an election, he sends the military to coup the new government and keep himself as president.

Isaac Theophilus Akunna Wallace-Johnson

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Ruling Party: National Council of Sierra Leone

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Regime Change: If the PALF prevails over Mendi in the Mano campaign, Wallace-Johnson will be installed as leader of the country.

Liberia

^{Flag of Liberia (PALF)}

Official Name: Republic of Liberia

Ruling Party: True Whig Party

Ideology: Aristocratic Conservatism^note Despotism

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• The Alliance: If Liberia survives the Mano Campaign, they will join the OFN for protection from the Pan-Africanists.
• Crapsaccharine World: On the surface, they're a prosperous and rich state that wields much influence on the trade in the Gold Cost. While this is partially true, it also conceals the fact that Liberia's government is incredibly corrupt and bound to collapse if Tubman dies.
• Foreign Ruling Class: Just like in real life, Liberia is an Apartheid state ruled by an elite descended from immigrants from the United States who openly and legally discriminate against natives.
• Villainous Underdog: Liberia (an Apartheid state) and Mendi (a junta ruled by a tinpot military dictator) are much smaller combined than the PALF and stand no real chance when they launch the Mano Campaign, with the OFN paralysed by the Oil Crisis and unable to send much help. At best, they can hold off long enough to call a ceasefire and the preservation of the status quo; actually defeating the PALF is not on the table.

William Tubman

Role: Head of State

Party: True Whig Party

Ideology: Aristocratic Conservatism^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} There are many things one can call William Tubman. Corrupt is one of them. Controversial is another. A fool is not one.
Born into both a military and political family in 1895, William followed in his father's footsteps by running and winning a senate seat in 1923, becoming the youngest senator in Liberian history. From there, his political star only rose further, becoming President in 1942 as the World War raged around Liberia. No sooner had Tubman entered the office than order collapsed in West Africa, and a refugee crisis that had never been seen in African history threatened to engulf the tiny nation. However, Tubman steered the ship of state through the rough seas of the postwar order, aided by his friends in the OFN.
As time went on, though, Tubman grew more authoritarian and more isolationist, distancing himself from the OFN in favor of blissful neutrality. In today's Liberia, nobody challenges Tubman. This is not because there is no opposition to Tubman. Rather, it is because any who dare to challenge him are either too weak to command the opposition vote, corrupt enough to take the "gifts" from Tubman's administration and coincidentally end their run, or die in unfortunate accidents if they refuse the money.
Today's Liberia is prosperous, peaceful, and united under Tubman. Undoubtedly the richest state in West Africa, Liberia commands a heavy trade presence in the Gold Coast. After all, despite all the differences of the Liberian people, Tubman is the father of modern Liberia. Of course, this system depends on Tubman's continued health, and if- or rather when- he finally passes on, the Liberian golden age may come crashing down on top of the Liberian people's heads.

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• Corrupt Politician: He's one of the most corrupt leaders in West Africa, ruling Liberia as a dictator in all but name.
• President for Life: In Liberia, nobody challenges Tubman. Anyone who dares do so is either too weak to command the opposition vote, corrupt enough to receive gifts from Tubman's administration and coincidentally end their run, or die in unfortunate accidents if they refuse.
• Repressive, but Efficient: Though authoritarian, Tubman's administration has made Liberia more prosperous and wealthy than ever.

Hans-Jürgen Massaquoi

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Party: National Patriotic Front of Liberia

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Regime Change: If the PALF prevails over Liberia in the Mano campaign, Massaquoi will be installed as leader of the country.
• Royal Blood: Massaquoi's grandfather was Momolu Massaquoi, monarch of the vai people of Liberia.

Gulf of Guinea

Free France

^{Flag of the French Republic}

^{Flag of the Republic of the Ivory Coast/Côte d'Ivoire}

^{Flag of the Eburnian Republic}

Official Name: Free French Liberation Forces, French Republic (Métropole reclaimed), Republic of the Ivory Coast (WAA victory without Free France), Eburnian Republic (PALF), Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (French Decolonization)

Ruling Party: Comité Français de Libération Nationale^note French Committee of National Liberation

Ideology: Colonial Government^note Despotism

The remnants of Charles de Gaulle's French government-in-exile, desperately holding on to their last bit of territory in Côte d'Ivoire.

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• Allohistorical Allusion:
  • Their position mirrors that of the real life post-1949 Republic of China, as both are former governments that were overthrown in their home nation and have since been exiled to a small strip of territory that they still own. Additionally, the United States officially recognizes the French State, but still maintains unofficial (and far better) relations with Free France, akin to the United States' relationship with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China respectively.
  • The French Community established by Free France should it win the West African War, in addition to being a reference to a short-lived association in OTL, in practice bears more than a passing resemblance to the geopolitical concept of Françafrique: a network of ostensibly independent postcolonial nations that are in practice still chained to France by neocolonialism.
• Back from the Brink: By 1962, Free France is an Apartheid state with no navy, a very small army, conscription problems, low population, no allies, and is desperately holding onto Côte d'Ivoire, which is little more than target practice for Luftwaffe bombers. Only when the terror bombing stops can they begin to even think of expanding their territory; coming back home and overthrowing the Vichy regime are a monumental task, to put it lightly.
• Black Market: Free France's peculiar position has made it a relatively neutral ground for mercenaries and backroom arms deals, which both Zentralafrika and surrounding native states are all too happy to make use of.
• Civil War: Free France's endgame is the Reclamation, a land invasion of the Métropole to topple the government ruling in Paris and restore the French Republic.
• Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: On the surface, they seem like a pitiful state that is of no strategic value in the Cold War. However, according to a major contributor for France's content, Free France is actually a lot more important than they seem because they have a lot of connections to their neighbors (including Reichskommisariat Zentralafrika, since Siegfried Müller has a personal friendship with Free French general Jacques Massu). For this reason, the United States still has an unofficial relationship with Free France, despite recognizing the French State.
• Earn Your Happy Ending: Zig-Zagged. Against all odds, Free France can reclaim their homeland after winning the West African War, giving them the opportunity to liberate France from the Vichy regime and finally avenge their loss. If they did this through peaceful negotiation and cooperation with the WAA, this can also lead to the end of French colonialism in Africa. However, this also means destroying the pan-African movement in Cameroon and condemning the people there to a bloody civil war, as well as deny a chance for greater African self-determination in the continent as a whole, and while West African nations might be formally independent now, in practice they're still indirectly controlled and imperialised by France with the help of local collaborators. Overall, while it may be an unambiguously happy ending for the French, it is a more Downer Ending for the Africans.
• Evil Colonialist: Free France is a remnant of the French colonial empire, which has had a long history of brutally oppressing native populations and is now still occupying the Ivory Coast. They can further embrace colonialist antics by launching a military invasion of Mossiland (causing the formation of the WAA), and declaring war on the WAA after several skirmishes between the two factions.
• The Federation: If France defeats the WAA and PALF, they form a French-led federation of African countries now under their control. Local state governors have limited control over their territories, but they still have to answer to the French federal government.
• Government in Exile: Free France is the remnant of the French government led by Charles de Gaulle exiled during World War II, a good 20 years before the start of the game.
• Hegemonic Empire: If Free France wins the West African War, they'll announce the creation of the French Community, which is meant to extend mutual defense and collaboration to its African allies. However, critics of the bloc deride it as a thinly veiled attempt to subjugate the natives once more.
• Politically Incorrect Hero: On paper, Free France has the noble goal of returning to their homeland and liberating it from the fascist collaborators. However, it is also a colonial, quasi-military junta that has still denied independence to the native Africans it rules over and has really only given them concessions and limited citizenship out of pragmatism rather than any moral obligation.
• Pragmatic Villainy: After returning to the Métropole, France will grant independence to their colonies of the Ivory Coast and Mossiland, either as part of the West African Federation (if Free France joined the West African Alliance) or the French Community (if not). In both cases, the two newly-independent countries are still ruled by collaborators subservient to France—with the Métropole having been reclaimed, Free France no longer needs to do old-school colonialism and can transition to neocolonialism, a more insidious and sustainable form of exploitation.
• Private Military Contractors: Most Free French generals spend their time working as mercenaries for other West African nations and even Germany's RK Zentralafrika.
• Space-Filling Empire: France will integrate their newly conquered territories into a French super state following their victory in the WAA/FMA/PALF scenario. On top of their original colonies, this also includes Ghana, Yorubaland, and Gambia, countries they did not originally control before the Second World War. Initial control over the territories is loose, so it’s represented as puppet states in-game.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: In the FMA/PALF scenario, many acknowledge that the hastily formed FMA is a tenuous alliance between Free France and several other West African nations, predicting that the alliance will fall apart once their mutual enemies in Cameroon are dealt with.
• Vestigial Empire: Free France was exiled from metropolitan France to North Africa, and then lost most of North Africa due to terror bombing. By 1962, all they have left is Ivory Coast. That being said, they still exert some influence over their old colonies in West Africa and can restore part of their old empire by winning the West African War and returning to the Métropole, though any colonies outside of Africa are out of their reach.
• Video Game Caring Potential: Rather than invading them, Free France can peacefully negotiate an annexation of Mossiland (whose leader Maurice Yaméogo is one of the most pro-France there is). This demonstrates to several West African nations that the French are willing to leave their existing power structures alone (in contrast to Cameroon, whose pan-Africanist, anti-France socialist leaders will never allow the comprador bourgeoisie to remain in power), making them more receptive to allying with them in the West African War.
• Video Game Cruelty Punishment: If Free France militarily invades Mossiland rather than peacefully annex them, many West African nations will turn on them, along with Cameroon, forming a third faction and making it more difficult for Free France to win the West African War.

Charles de Gaulle

^{De Gaulle after Reclaiming France}

^{De Gaulle as a General}

Role: Military Commander, Head of State

Party: Comité Français de Libération Nationale^note French Committee of National Liberation, Parti Gaulliste de la France Libre^note Gaullist Party of Free France (Democratically elected)

Ideology: Colonial Government^note Despotism, Interim Government^note Despotism (return to France), Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism (democratically elected)

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Since there has been a "Free France", Charles de Gaulle has stood at its helm. For more than 20 years, de Gaulle has led the last remaining Free French in a desperate and drawn out battle for survival against the greatest odds. He was once a division commander in the army of the Fourth French Republic, keen to bring reform to their forces. His attempts were made too late however and France quickly fell the Wehrmacht.
Keen to continue the fight, de Gaulle rallied what support he had and headed to Africa. Although the fighting continued, de Gaulle fared little better here. Over the years, the forces of Free France were relentlessly pursued across Africa until only the tiniest strip of what had once been the colonial possessions of the French Republic remained. Through it all, de Gaulle has been both a great boon and a great curse for those that still follow the dream of a Free France. The man is utterly convinced of "La Libération" to the point where it is hard not to share in the aging leader's sheer enthusiasm. Sadly, his conviction is paired with an extreme stubbornness. de Gaulle is unwilling to end the unpopular military government, despite the fact that his generals are usually too busy working as mercenaries for other West African nations and even the Germans in Zentralafrika.
de Gaulle soldiers on, making his radio addresses and inspecting the troops each day, seemingly convinced that it will be part of the start of their journey home. He has even promised elections, although with the deadline drawing ever nearer, some are uncertain if de Gaulle is willing to even surrender that much to the people. Nor has he properly acknowledged the generals that wish to see him gone, and the fact they would be quite capable of having their wish fulfilled. de Gaulle must perhaps realise his situation and be willing to make compromises, should he wish to see his homeland ever again.

In-Game Biography (Reclamation) ^{Click to Show} "France has lost the battle, but France has not lost the war!"

So said Charles de Gaulle in London all those years ago. Though he was one of the few to hold the Germans back as they invaded his beloved homeland, his career truly began and continued in a state of exile. He lived long enough to see France fall not once but twice: first to the shameless, subhuman Nazis, the Burgundian Satan, and the traitorous demon Pétain, and second to the unworthy collaborators of the Vichy Government. The sword of France fell, and de Gaulle picked up the pieces.

He became old in exile. His family, the home he had left behind in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, his people - the French people - for whom he had always fought: the absence and suffering of these precious things tortured him for the longest time. Yet he did not break; he carried the broken blade for more than two decades, and now by sheer grit and determination he has reforged it in the flames of hell through which he passed. Returning to free his people, he is a new Napoléon, a new Saint-Louis, the hero of his people and of the Free World, a man to be remembered for all eternity!

Thus Charles de Gaulle returns to his homeland - that by the grace of his loving God he himself was able to liberate - and falls to his knees. He mutters the ancient words: "Now Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace." A sigh leaves him, and tears of joy fall from his eyes. That is how it should be; after all, France, though outraged, broken, and martyred, has been liberated, and thus

TOUT EST ACCOMPLI.

---

• Beware the Silly Ones: In Brazil's diplomatic visits to Free France, de Gaulle initially seems like an eccentric geezer who tells tall tales about Free France's capabilities. However, when the topic of military aid for the Lobster War is broached, de Gaulle instantly turns serious, showing that he's still not out of politics just yet.
• Chest of Medals: When Brazil sends a diplomat to Free France over the Lobster War, de Gaulle greets him in an old military uniform covered in medals.
• Cloudcuckoolander: De Gaulle isn't in the best mental state. During a Brazilian diplomatic venture, de Gaulle tells far-fetched stories about Free France's accomplishments, like the assassination of a German official a day before. Given his utter enthusiasm when recounting these tales, he might actually believe them.
• Determinator: Throughout the years, de Gaulle's conviction for la Libération has never diminished. Every day, he makes his radio addresses and inspects the troops, seemingly convinced that it will be part of the start of their journey home. He never gives up on France, and he won't till death claims him.
• A Hero to His Hometown: De Gaulle is beloved in Free France as an idealistic hero who inspires hope in his fellow countrymen. Outside of Free France, de Gaulle is written off as a failure and a delusional old man who failed to stop the Axis from overrunning France.
• Odd Friendship: He has a long-distance friendship with Adhemar de Barros in Brazil, to whom he pays a visit in one event.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Even though de Gaulle denounces the French State as an illegitimate government, he is willing to negotiate a unification with them, if Pinay takes power and begins democratizing the nation.

Phillippe Leclerc

Role: Military Commander, Head of State (de Gaulle succession)

Party: Parti Gaulliste de la France Libre^note Gaullist Party of Free France, Comité Français de Libération Nationale^note French Committee of National Liberation (Return to France)

Ideology: Paternalism, Interim Government^note Despotism (Return to France)

In-Game Biography (Reclamation) ^{Click to Show} For the entirety of his adult life, Phillipe Leclerc has been fighting. From the hills and trenches of the Ardennes in a desperate response to an unexpected gambit, to the heartlands of Africa fighting off traitors and secessionists, and to, at long last, France itself, Phillipe Leclerc has let war define him, fighting with mortal danger after mortal danger to the Republic, and even in defeat, never surrendering.

In this fight, he has lost a vast, vast sum. His family, trapped as the jailers closed in, alongside his home, and Leclerc's entire life. In Africa, large swathes of young men, buying himself and the Americans more time. And, in the end, Charles de Gaulle, not in combat but in old age, the very heart and conduit for the hope of all French exiles that someday, the brutal loss to Germany could be avenged.

And yet, that hope was not wasted. Building off of De Gaulle's last foundations, and in the midst of Vichy's final humiliation and long awaited collapse, managed to claw the exiles' way back to the homeland. At long last, he may abandon what has perhaps defined him, and return home to his family and to his country. At long last, the old soldier may rest.

---

• Taking Up the Mantle: Taking over Free France upon de Gaulle's passing, Leclerc swears to uphold his dream of returning to Europe and liberating France from the collaborationist government.

Christophe Kragbé Gnagbé

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Party: Parti Nationaliste^note Nationalist Party

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Regime Change: If Cameroon is victorious in the West African conflict, Gnagbé will be installed as leader of the newly independent Ivory Coast by Cameroon.

Félix Houphouët-Boigny

Role: Head of State (WAA victory)

Party: Parti démocratique de Côte d'Ivoire - Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire - African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Controlled Democracy^note Paternalism

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• Regime Change: If the WAA (without Free France) is victorious in the West African conflict, Houphouët-Boigny will be installed as leader of the newly independent Ivory Coast by the alliance.

Louis Napoléon

Role: Military Commander

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• Warrior Prince: Louis Napoléon, the Bonapartist clamant to the French throne (who cannot actually get back his crown), is a Field Marshal in Free France.

Gbeland

^{Flag of the Socialist Republic of Benin}

Official Name: Gbeland Republic, Republic of Dahomey (FMA/WAA), Socialist Republic of Bénin (PALF)

Ruling Party: Conseil Militaire du Salut de Gbeland^note Military Council for Salvation of Gbeland

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

A newly created nation for the Gbe people, formed after a Gbe military coup against the Republic of Dahomey (formerly French Dahomey).

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• Full-Circle Revolution: Despite the fact that they were once mistreated under the Republic of Dahomey, the Gbe people now persecute any foreigners in their country. This has left the current government deeply unpopular and an anti-coup clique, led by Christophe Soglo, threatens to overthrow the regime.
• Military Coup: The Gbe people were treated as second class citizens in the Republic of Dahomey, so they launched a bloodless military coup.

Jean-Baptiste Hachème

Role: Head of State

Party: Conseil Militaire du Salut de Gbeland^note Military Council for Salvation of Gbeland

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Born from a Fon family in Porto Novo in what was French Dahomey, Jean Baptiste Hachème was but a teen kid when the French packed up and left. He grew up in the days of the Republic of Dahomey, a somewhat stable and functioning democracy which he was proud to be part of. However, as time went on, and the Republic continued to maintain relations with the hated Free French forces in Abidjan, the approval of the Dahomeyan government among the people continued to deteriorate. As Hachème joined the ranks of the generals, the frustrations boiled over into a bloodless military coup which cut relations with the former colonizers, expected to be led by the esteemed general Christophe Soglo. However, Soglo, along with multiple other senior generals, refused the position, leaving the President's seat open and dividing the army into two cliques- one for the coup and one against it. With nobody stepping up to the seat, the pro-coup clique nominated Hachème to the seat which he reluctantly accepted, becoming President at the mere age of 32 in 1961. He would soon come to regret that choice.

Much adversity pushes the newfound Gbeland to the brink of destruction. The anti-coup clique, led by the renowned and popular Soglo, remains a major threat to Babaginda's controversial regime. Memories of Dahomey still persist in the minds of the people, who still remember their relative freedoms compared to their current situation. Hachème's influence in the military is still rather weak, especially in comparison to Soglo's. Above it all, the Germans continue their constant and regular bombings, a regular grim reaper of the people and the economy. It seems that Gbeland may be doomed to an early death.

And yet, Gbeland is a dream weaved from the hopes of the oppressed, an attempt to heal the divisions among the various Gbe ethnicities imposed by the European empires. And no matter how arbitrary or foolish this dream seems, Hachème will fight to see it realized."

---

• Corrupt Politician: Hachème rules a corrupt government that caters to the rich aristocrats of Gbeland over the common people, condemning most of the population to the squalid conditions left behind by the German bombing campaigns.
• Head-in-the-Sand Management: Irresponsibly, Hachème has not take any reforms towards Gbeland's militia army, refusing to either decentralize or centralize them. However, this short-term approach has only fostered factionalism and corruption in his military, greatly reducing its combat effectiveness and professionalism.

Mathieu Kérékou

Role: Military Commander, Head of State (Pan-African takeover)

Party: Parti de la Révolution Populaire du Bénin^note People's Revolutionary Party of Benin

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Puppet State: If Kérékou takes over Gbeland, he'll submit his country as a puppet state to Cameroon, increasing tensions with Free France in West Africa.
• Regime Change: If Cameroon is victorious over a Free France-aligned Dahomey, Maga will be installed as leader of the country.
• Undying Loyalty: Kérékou fervently supports Cameroon's brand of pan-Africanism and will invariably side with them in the West African War.

Hubert Maga

Role: Head of State (Francophile takeover)

Party: Rassemblement Démocratique Dahoméen^note Dahomeyan Democratic Rally

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

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• The Quisling: If Maga seizes control of Gbeland, he'll submit his country as a puppet state to Free France. No matter what scenario plays out in the West African War, Maga will remain loyal to France, so long as he's in control of Gbeland.
• Regime Change: If Free France is victorious over a PALF-aligned Bénin, Maga will be installed as leader of the country.

Christophe Soglo

Role: Military Commander, Head of State (WAA victory)

Party: Rassemblement Démocratique Dahoméen^note Dahomeyan Democratic Rally

Ideology: Controlled Democracy^note Paternalism

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• Regime Change: If the WAA is victorious over a Free France-aligned Dahomey, Soglo will be installed as leader of the country.

Yorubaland

Official Name: Free Yorubaland, Republic of Nigeria (Nigerian Unification)

Ruling Party: Free Yorubaland National Democratic Party

Ideology: Personalistic Dictatorship^note Despotism

A Yoruba nation that seceded from Cameroon, located in the Western parts of former British Nigeria.

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• The Neutral Zone: They serve as a buffer state between the Cameroonian pan-Africanists who want to spread their ideology and the rest of West Africa who merely want to live in peace.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: The Yoruba people (and many other West African people) saw the Cameroon pan-Africanists as foreign occupiers, and managed to expel them from their lands.
• Sacrificial Lamb: In the FMA/PALF scenario, Yorubaland will be invaded by the pan-Africanists from Bénin and Cameroon, demonstrating the hegemonic ambitions of the PALF and disturbing many other West African nations who fear of being invaded too.

Ládòkè Akíntọ́lá

Role: Military Commander, Head of State

Party: Free Yorubaland National Democratic Party

Ideology: Personalistic Dictatorship^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Yorubaland was not always free. It had to earn its independence from the yoke of the Cameroonian pan-Africanists, and key to its foundation was Ládòkè Akintola. When a circle of generals and officers rose up to end the socialist regime over his homeland, finding the skirmishes between them and Zentralafrika as the perfect opportunity, Akintola became their leader and figurehead. Under his command, the Cameroonians were driven out, and since then Yorubaland has managed to hold off any attacks made by them to reclaim their lost lands. And the nations of West Africa are thankful for that, for they are shielded from the pan-Africanists and can continue living in peace.

However, things are not as clear and hopeful in Akintola's domain itself. The people admire him, and are thankful that he is there to safeguard the coast from any foreign invaders. And while he may he a dictator, he is not a brutal or a militaristic one, but rules benevolently over his citizens. This despotism will eventually have to end, though. Of course, the last thing he would want would be for the socialists to take power, even though he himself is implementing policies surprisingly similar to their own. Welfare has been established, and many freedoms have been given. As for actual elections, that is a complicated matter for Akintola. Perhaps a number of selected parties could participate in an electoral process, but how can he be so sure that his successors will be able to hold the country together, without the coast of Yorubaland falling to his enemies. He is not, and that is why installing democracy may not be that easy. For now, though, Akintola is content to continue his rule over the strip of land he can control, even if only to keep his enemies out.

---

• Go-Karting with Bowser: He can accept an invitation from Siegfried Müller to go on a hunting trip. He even offers to sell Yorubaland more anti-air weapons on the trip while the terror bombings are still going on! Even on a repeat trip, Akíntọ́lá still has no idea why Müller invited him, of all people.
• President for Life: He refuses to hold elections or otherwise pass down power to a successor, fearing that Cameroon will quickly retake Yorubaland if he is removed.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: While he is a despot, it's also noted that he isn't a particularly brutal or militaristic one.
• You Are What You Hate: Despite his staunchly anti-socialist ideas, he implements many of the policies that they would, including welfare and personal freedoms.

Ghana

Ghana

^{Flag of the Socialist Republic of Ghana}

Official Name: Republic of Ghana, Socialist Republic of Ghana (PALF)

Ruling Party: Convention People's Party

Ideology: National Conservatism^note Paternalism

A young democratic republic formed from a fusion of British Gold Coast and French Togoland.

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• Civil War: In the FMA/PALF scenario, civil war erupts in Ghana between Agbeli Gbedemah's government and Kwame Nkrumah's Convention People's Party after the pan-Africanists spread their influence into Gbeland/Benin.
• Enemy Mine: It was formed when the British colony of Gold Coast merged with the French colony of Togo, united in their opposition against Germany.
• Plot Hole: Though one national spirit description claims that French Togoland merged into Ghana, a close viewing of the map shows that French Togoland (OTL Togo) is actually merged into Dahomey (OTL Benin), i.e. TNO Gbeland; the capital of Gbeland is actually Togo's capital, Lomé.

Komla Agbeli Gbedemah

Role: Head of State

Party: Convention People's Party

Ideology: National Conservatism^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} The politics of Ghana is, in the image of its history, messy. It is a mix of the British colony of the Gold Coast, and of Togo, an ex-German colony that became a French colony, until the war where it got its independence. When the chaos of the bombing period forced both governments to cooperate, they created a nation of two, and the Ghana Republic was born. The local United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) was tasked to build a strong and free republic, and indeed they did.

Or so it is what it looks like to an untrained eye. In reality, a coalition of Ghanian political strongmen called "the Big Six" controls the UGCC behind the scenes, and by extension everything that matters in Ghanian politics, as there is no opposition to their rule. Even the victory in the 1956 elections of Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, nicknamed "Afro Gbede", was all part of their plan. Gbedemah had humble beginnings in the timber trade, but by joining the UGCC he quickly rose through the ranks forming friendships with several Big Six members like Edward Akufo-Addo, the previous President, and Kwame Nkrumah, founder of the Convention People's Party. Owing favors to both, Afro Gbede wanted to keep Akufo-Addo as his prime minister, but he also promised complete support to Kwame Nkrumah that he would achieve his vision for an anticolonialist and socialist Ghana, which is at odds with Gbedemeah's liberal and pro-western stance.

The inaction from Gbedemah's faction led to a complete collapse of his party's support, and has started an enormous rise in popularity of the opposition. Tensions are brewing in Togo while the army is preparing for the worst. Afro Gbede must act quickly if he does not want his schemes to unravel and come crashing down on him and the Big Six.

---

• Head-in-the-Sand Management: Despite his pro-western, liberal ideology, Gbedemah has had to appease and compromise with Nkrumah's anti-colonialist and socialist agenda, but he often fails to uphold his promises and his inaction is sparking opposition against his party.
• Rags to Riches: Gbedemah grew up as a humble worker in the timber trade, but he's grown into becoming the leader of Ghana, thanks to his connections to the Big Six.

Kwame Nkrumah

Role: Head of State (Pan-African takeover, Ghana Civil War)

Party: Convention People's Party

Ideology: African Socialism^note Socialism

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• Undying Loyalty: If he coups Gbedemah or starts a civil war in Ghana, Nkrumah will always side with Cameroon in the West African War.
• We Used to Be Friends: Nkrumah was once friends with Gbedemah, working together so that he and the rest of the Big Six could rule Ghana. However, their conflict over whether to side with Free France or Cameroon has soured their relationship and it could even potentially blow into civil war in the FMA/PALF scenario.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist: Nkrumah views his revolt as a justified effort to enact change in the original government of Ghana.

Nicolas Grunitzky

Role: Head of State (French victory)

Party: Parti du Progrès^note Party of Progress

Ideology: Controlled Democracy^note Paternalism

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• Allohistorical Allusion: In real life, Grunitzky became president of Togo in 1963 after a France-backed military coup that overthrew his more independent-minded rival Sylvanus Olympio. In a timeline where France lost and Togo became part of Ghana, he can instead become president of Ghana if Free France wins the West African War and installs him as a puppet.

Convention People's Party

^{Socialist Republic of Ghana}

Official Name: Convention People's Party

Ruling Party: Convention People's Party

Ideology: African Socialism^note Socialism

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• Occupiers Out of Our Country: Rallying around Nkrumah, the Ghanaian socialists wish to expel all colonial authority and their collaborationist governments in West Africa, starting with the liberals in Ghana.
• Small Role, Big Impact: The Convention People's Party only appears as a separate nation in the FMA/PALF scenario, but their revolt against Ghana sparks the original government to seek aid by Free France and the Convention People's Party to seek aid from Cameroon. This ultimately brings both nations and their spheres into conflict with each other, inciting a much larger war across the region.

Kwame Nkrumah

Role: Head of State (Pan-African takeover, Ghana Civil War)

Party: Convention People's Party

Ideology: African Socialism^note Socialism

See his entry in the Ghana folder.

Cameroon

Cameroonian African State

^{Flag of the Republic of Cameroon}

Official Name: Cameroonian African State, West African Union (Front victory), Republic of Cameroon (Cameroon collapse)

Ruling Party: Parti de la Libération Africaine - Moumié's Faction^note African Liberation Party - Moumié's Faction

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

A pan-African and anti-colonialist state originating from Cameroon. It controls most of former British Nigeria and large parts of the former French Equatorial Africa.

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• The Alliance: In case the Front wins the West African Crisis, they will create the Pan-African Community for Mutual Economic Assistance (PACMEA), wich will oversee matters on expropriation, economic aid, reconstruction and the establishment of a mutually linked economy between their members.
• Anti-Hero: Cameroon's ultimate goal is to liberate all Africans from colonial oppression and assert themselves to global superpowers that would seek to exploit them again. In spite of this noble goal, some West Africans reject their influence because they see that submitting to Cameroon will take away their sovereignty, just as many nationalist movements with Cameroon chafe under a centralized, non-federal government and break loose if Cameroon's loss weakens the nation. And Cameroon has no qualms about expanding through military conquest, even for nations that are already thoroughly decolonized but outside of Cameroon's sphere of influence.
• Balkanize Me: If Cameroon loses the West African War, it will collapse into multiple splinter states, as various ethnic minorities declare their independence.
• Bittersweet Ending: In order to come out on top in west Africa, Cameroon will need to fight a tragic war against many rivals, including the West African Alliance, some of whom fit all of Cameroon's criteria except not being beholden to Cameroon as hegemon. In the process of throwing out French dominion over their African holdings, the Free French are condemned to death on the Kerguelen islands, and with them dies their dream of ever freeing their homeland from fascism and foreign dominion. But, for all that, ultimately Cameroon's victory does pave the way for a truly free and democratic Africa for the first time in generations, and their resources will be bent to rebuilding their new satellites rather than extracting from them.
• Divide and Conquer: The ethnic rebellions Cameroon faces in Nigeria and Saraland during the Cameroon collapse will fight each other and the Cameroonians, possibly allowing Cameroon to take advantage and reassert control over the country.
• Downer Ending: If Cameroon is defeated in the West African War, the entire country falls into ethnic violence and civil war, unleashing untold destruction in the "African Inferno". Even if Cameroon had its anti-heroic qualities, it's tragic to see the Pan-African dream forever abandoned and destroyed, and their good intentions betrayed by ambitious or even fascist generals and politicians while most of West Africa remains under the control of sham democracies, dictatorships and French collaborators.
  Pan-Africanism. A Dream so Dear, yet so Far Away.
• Dropped a Bridge on Him: Ruben Um Nyobè was a heroic revolutionary who won Cameroon's independence from Britain, but he was unceremoniously assassinated shortly afterwards, throwing the country into chaos until Moumié took over with Japan's aid.
• Earn Your Happy Ending: Years of German bombing raids have destroyed much of West Africa and Cameroon itself, and Cameroon is at least somewhat beholden to the resources of the extremely-colonialist Co-Prosperity Sphere to challenge the OFN-backed French. But if Cameroon manages to succeed in the West African War, they can begin attempting to build their dream of a truly free and democratic Africa after centuries of foreign domination.
• Elite Army: Downplayed. When they first arrived, they had an elite army of veterans and exiles from past West African conflicts. Unfortunately, Cameroon has begun recruiting more local soldiers, which hampers the performance of the military.
• Enemy Mine: Even though they are both aligned against the OFN and Free France, Cameroon has nothing positive to say to Japan, recognizing that the Co-Prosperity Sphere is no less imperialistic than the United States and France. If they win the West African War, Cameroon and Japan will end up backing rival factions in the Congo Crisis (Mobutu Sese Seko, an anti-communist right-wing nationalist, is more palatable to Japanese interests than the Congolese pan-Africanists are).
• Hegemonic Empire: Downplayed, in that Cameroon does genuinely believe in its socialist and pan-African rhetoric rather than just using it as an excuse to spread their influence and authority. But Cameroon's victory in the West African War turns the entire gulf into satellite states firmly within their sphere of influence, reliant on Cameroon for resources and support for at least the immediate future.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste:
  • In the WAA/FMA/PALF Mêlée à Trois scenario, the West African War initially breaks out between the WAA and the FMA, and PALF immediately seizes the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on both alliances.
  • The Oil Crisis will draw American attention to the Middle East, and Cameroon will take advantage of this to invade Liberia and Mendi, who have been under OFN protection following Cameroon’s victory in the West African War.
• Proxy War:
  • Japan will support Cameroon in the West African War to displace American influence from West Africa.
  • If a socialist Russia has made it to the regional stage and founded COMECON, they can support Cameroon with international volunteers.
• Realpolitik: The Cameroonian Pan-Africanists recognise that the Empire of Japan is as imperialistic as the United States and the French Republic are, and find it distasteful to rely on foreign aid to remove the colonialists from their continent. The alliance between the PALF and the Co-Prosperity Sphere is described as one of pragmatic distrust, since they have no common interests beyond seeing the OFN and the French pushed out.
• Regime Change: A Cameroon victory in the West African War will result in loyal pan-African puppet governments being set up in the conquered countries.
• We ARE Struggling Together: The African Liberation Party maintains an image of unity within Cameroon, but the organization is far from unified. Rivals of many political backgrounds vie for control of the party, including the pro-centralization faction of Félix Roland Moumié, the federalists of Ruben Um Nyobe, the militarists, and the republicans.
• With Us or Against Us: The dark side of Cameroon's Pan-African ideology is that it leaves no room for neutrality. Every nation that doesn't support their crusade to drive out colonialist forces and submit to Cameroon as hegemon is fair game for invasion and conquest, whether or not these nations are already free of foreign influence, governed by native Africans, and enacting socialist and democratic policies.

Félix-Roland Moumié

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Head of Government (Moumié cabinet)

Party: Parti de la Libération Africaine - Moumié's Faction^note African Liberation Party - Moumié's Faction

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Africa is not African. For the last two hundred years, Africa has been soiled, defiled and butchered by vampiric "humanitarians" from Europe who - in their infinite wisdom - decided to carve arbitrary lines of influence over a millennium of local history. By rifle, cash or duplicitous treaty, they have turned an entire continent into a living testament to Man's endless greed and how far Capitalism will go to quench its Imperial visions. Millions will die so a meagre bottom line can be nourished - because to the banker, there is no alternative.

The era that Félix-Roland Moumié lives in is - to the contrary of many of his compatriots - not the horrific apex of European bondage over Africa but the last, ragged curse spat out by a dying institution. From the barbed-wire labyrinth of Hüttig's death camps to the near-annihilation of the native Libyans in Italian North Africa, Colonialism seems intent on taking the entire continent down with it. They will not succeed. The only way that Africa can take back its identity is by sheer and unrelenting force.

When the coloniser is driven from their plantations screaming, and the chains of Capitalism shatters upon the head of its masters, only then will Africa be African. When petty tribal disputes are forever silenced, only then Africa will be African. When justice and freedom are given to all men, only then will Africa take back what is lost.

Because for Félix-Roland Moumié, the only one who can free Africa - is the African. Ô Afrique, Berceau de nos Ancêtres.

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• Enemy Mine: He rose to power in Cameroon with the help of Japan, who sought to build a buffer state against the German colonies in Africa.
• Hypocrite: Often accused of this by multiple other African states and who see becoming satelites to Moumié's Hegemonic Empire a Distinction Without a Difference to being colonized by Europeans.
• A Lighter Shade of Grey: While his means are questionable, he's earnestly trying to liberate West Africa from the forces of colonialism and comes off as more sympathetic than the fascist leader of his internal opposition, Ahidjo.
• Taking Up the Mantle: After Nyobé's assassination, Moumié stepped up to keep his pan-African dream alive and unite Cameroon under that goal.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist: Moumié's hegemonic brand of pan-Africanism alienates many other factions in West Africa who prefer independence and autonomy, and they will eventually invade the rest of West Africa to spread their ideology across the region, starting the West African War.

Ahmadou Ahidjo

Role: Head of State (Cameroon loss)

Party: Parti de la Libération Africaine - Nouveau Movement^note African Liberation Party - New Movement

Ideology: Revolutionary Nationalism^note Fascism

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• Allohistorical Allusion: Ahidjo ruled Cameroon as a one-party state OTL and can become ruler in TNO under different circumstances, although ruling over much more territory.
• The Coup: After Cameroon loses the West African War Ahidjo will overthrow the government.
• The Horseshoe Effect: Despite the country now being fascist, Ahidjo maintains the anti-colonialist nature and pan-African symbolism of the previous regime.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: Following the uncertain chaos of Cameroon’s defeat in the West African War and Ahidjo overthrowing the government, the ethnic minorities of Cameroon will take advantage to break away from the country.

Charles Okala

Role: Head of State (Cameroon rump state)

Party: Rassemblement Démocratique du Peuple Camerounais^note Cameroon People's Democratic Movement

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

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• Vestigial Empire: Okala will take control of the country after it’s defeated and collapses, now only presiding over Cameroon proper.

Cameroon Collapse

Northern Nigeria

Official Name: Northern Nigerian Military Command, Republic of Nigeria (Nigerian Unification)

Ruling Party: Northern Nigerian Military Command

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

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• Occupiers Out of Our Country: Northern Nigeria will fight Cameroon for their independence after their defeat in the West African War.

Zakariya Maimalari

Role: Head of State

Party: Northern Nigerian Military Command

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

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• Historical Badass Upgrade: Maimalari's biggest achievement in OTL was being a brigadier in the Nigerian army, a far lower position than leading an entire military command, much less a country, in this timeline.

Nigeria

Official Name: Republic of Nigeria, African State of Nigeria (Cameroon Victory)

Ruling Party: National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism (Azikiwe), Military Junta^note Despotism (Gowon)

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• Civil War: As well as revolting against Cameroon for independence, Nigeria will also fight for control of the country with Northern Nigeria, Yorubaland (if it survived the West African War), Sokoto, and Biafra.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: Following Cameroon’s defeat in the West African War and the subsequent Cameroon collapse, Nigeria will fight the pan-Africans for their independence.

Nnamdi Azikiwe

Role: Head of State (Paternalist revolt)

Party: Nigerian People's Party

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

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• Affectionate Nickname: Azikiwe is usually referred to as "Zik."
• Allohistorical Allusion: Azikiwe served as Nigeria’s first president in OTL and can come to similar prominence if Nigeria emerges from the Cameroon Collapse.

Yakubu Gowon

Role: Head of State (Military revolt)

Party: Nigerian Army Council

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

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• Commissar Cap: Gowon wears a wide-brimmed hat and rules as a military dictator, just like in OTL.

Akinola Maja

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Party: Nigerian Youth Movement

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Regime Change: If Cameroon is victorious over a hostile Nigeria after it tries to break away for independence following Cameroon's defeat in the West African War, Maja will be installed as leader of the country.

Biafra

Official Name: Republic of Biafra

Ruling Party: Biafra Armed Forces

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

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• Earn Your Happy Ending: In the midst of the African Inferno, the people of Biafra are brutalized by war crimes committed by both sides of the conflict, with entire villages destroyed in the chaos. However, if they do win their independence, it gives them an opportunity to set up a democratic system that will finally give them the independence they've always wanted. Even in the PALF's demise, its dream of a free and liberated Africa may, at least, blossom somewhere.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: Following the Cameroon collapse Biafra will fight Cameroon and the Nigerians for a free Biafra.
• War Is Hell: Many villages will be destroyed, and atrocities committed in Biafra’s pursuit for independence and the broader conflict of the Cameroon collapse.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Role: Head of State

Party: Biafra Armed Forces, National Party of Biafra (Biafran Independence)

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism, Dominant-Party Democracy^note Paternalism (Biafran Independence)

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• Internal Reformist: Upon signing a peace treaty with Nigeria and Cameroon, Odumegwu Ojukwu promises a new era of African democracy by Africans and for Africans. Another promise is to open up the ports of Biafra to all those that would wish to trade there.

Saraland

Sara Republic

Official Name: Sara Republic

Ruling Party: Parti Progressiste Sara^note Sara Progressive Party

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

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• Civil War: Engages in one with the Saraland Front.

Félix Malloum

Role: Head of State

Party: Parti Progressiste Sara^note Sara Progressive Party

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

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• Allohistorical Allusion: In OTL, Malloum served as Tombalbaye's Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces before he was sacked on charges of conspiring against the government. In this timeline, the roles are ironically reversed, with Malloum now acting as starting president and Tombalbaye rebelling against him.

Saraland Front

Official Name: Saraland Front, Sara People's Republic (Civil War Victory), African State of Saraland (Cameroon victory)

Ruling Party: Mouvement National pour la Révolution Culturelle et Sociale^note National Movement for the Cultural and Social Revolution

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism

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• Civil War: Engages in one with the Sara Republic.

François Tombalbaye

Role: Head of State

Party: Mouvement National pour la Révolution Culturelle et Sociale^note National Movement for the Cultural and Social Revolution

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism, Pan-Africanism^note Socialism (Cameroon puppet)

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• Allohistorical Allusion: In OTL, Tombalbaye served as Chad's first President, who accused and imprisoned Malloum for conspiring against his administration. In this timeline, the roles are ironically reversed, with Malloum now acting as starting president and Tombalbaye rebelling against him.

Ahmed Koulamallah

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Party: Mouvement National pour la Révolution Culturelle et Sociale^note National Movement for the Cultural and Social Revolution

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Regime Change: If Cameroon is victorious in the war following its collapse, it will set up Saraland with Ahmed Koulamallah as its leader.

Mali

Mali

^{Flag of the Socialist Republic of Mali}

Official Name: Malian State, Socialist Republic of Mali (PALF)

Ruling Party: Bloc Malien - Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Malian Bloc – African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Dominant-Party Democracy^note Paternalism

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• Balkanize Me: Once the German bombings stop, the Malian State will split into two when the Kayes Government secedes.
• Enemy Mine: If Free France didn't aggressively invade Mossiland, the Malian State, along with Wolofia, will form the West African Alliance and invite Free France in opposition to Cameroon.
• We ARE Struggling Together: Since the German bombings destroyed any possible organization in West Africa, Mali became a melting pot for anyone who sought protection, including Islamists, socialists, liberals, and nationalists. Once the bombings ceased, Mali erupted into chaos when there was little to unite the ragtag groups and now a clique of far-right nationalists, led by Traoré, have seceded from the country.

Modibo Keïta

Role: Head of State, Head of Government (Keïta cabinet)

Party: Bloc Malien - Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Malian Bloc – African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Dominant-Party Democracy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} If one was to tread through the various fiefdoms of West Africa, the state of Mali would be seen as rather quiet and ordinary, the people seeming less repressed than the various others. This is the nation of Modibo Keïta, a man trapped between the strength of his morals, but the danger of radical beliefs in a place as unstable as West Africa.
Born in a neighbourhood of Bamako, Keïta could claim ancestors in the founders of the Mali Empire, but he was never an advocate for wild expansionism. Instead, Keita found his home in Socialist Groups across French West Africa, uniting many across Mali in the quest for Malian freedom and properity.
He ran into a roadblock in this noble goal with the German Victory over France. As Charles De Gaulle's forces secured what it could of West Africa, Keïta stayed in open revolt against the French, creating his own Militias and mobilising against De Gaulle's army, much to their chagrin. And then, the bombs began dropping. The French were not only pushed out of Mali, but pushed to the Ivory Coast, and Keita maintained what control he had... at least when they weren't afraid to step outside on a clear day for the planes dropping fire from the sky. At this point, the militias were a melting pot of everyone wishing for any kind of Malian autonomy. Islamists, Socialists, Liberals, Fascists, everyone rubbing up against eachother. Fights constantly erupted between various members in the Malian State to the point of farce. Keïta's constant progressive reforms to the maintenance of the state didn't help, as it simply made the more conservative militiamen angry.
Then, one day, the bombs stopped, and ironically, while the chaos in the desert silenced, the chaos in the state only became more aggressive. The dissident Moussa Traoré has united the Islamist militiamen into a stable army, and has siezed the city of Kayes as his own. It seems that a battle for the future of Mali has begun, and Modibo Keïta is leading his armies into the future.

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• Internal Reformist: Keïta constantly pushes for progressive reforms to maintain Mali, making him unpopular among the conservative militias.
• Rebel Leader: Keïta united many across Mali in the quest for Mali's freedom and prosperity against the French Third Republic and later Free France, before the Luftwaffe bombings pushed the French to Ivory Coast.

Aoua Keita

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Party: Bloc Malien - Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Malian Bloc – African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Undying Loyalty: If Keita coups the Malian government and takes over, she'll align Mali with Cameroon and invariably join with them against Free France in the West African War.

Fily Dabo Sissoko

Role: Head of State (French victory)

Party: Parti Progressiste Malien^note Malian Progressive Party

Ideology: Controlled Democracy^note Paternalism

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• Serendipitous Survival: Having never been imprisoned by Keïta's administration, Sissoko outlives his OTL counterpart and can potentially come to power in Mali, if Free France wins the West African War.

Kayes Government

^{Flag of the Republic of Mali}

Official Name: Kayes National Government, Republic of Mali (Kayes unification)

Ruling Party: Union du Peuple Malien - Militaire^note Malian People's Union - Military

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

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• Renegade Splinter Faction: They split off from the original Malian government, perceiving it to be a socialist nation.

Moussa Traoré

^{Military outfit}

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Economy Minister (Traoré cabinet)

Party: Union du Peuple Malien - Militaire^note Malian People's Union - Military

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Moussa Traoré is not a man of many allegiances, but there are three he holds close to his heart. He is a proud Muslim, a friend of the French, and an anti-communist. His militias hold that close to their heart as well, which is exactly why he declared opposition to the Malian Government and that rat Keïta, and now, he holds the light against the socialist menace in the southwest.
Born in a village named Sébétou, Traoré was born three years before the war in Europe, and four years before the mainland fell. By the time the French were being bombed, he had already joined Keita's militias as a teenager. Taught the proper nature of Islam by his older militiamen, Traoré grew to hate the progressive Keita as he advanced through the military. He also began to take certain sympathies towards the French. Occasionally, he would show up with a bag of French guns that he said had come from a well-done raid, but his local clique of ragtag militiamen knew better that he had been making deals with them.
As the bombings petered out, Traoré and his militias began to consolidate power northwest of what was controlled by Keita, slowly increasing in influence as more and more people began to defect to this new government in Kayes. Before it was too late, Traoré declared another Mali state separate to the one controlled by Keita. Now, the game begins, and Traoré will smash the socialist scum, with the light of God firmly on his side.

Moussa Traoré is an Islamist, pro-French, and anti-communist leader. He leads a secessionist cause against Keïta's Mali, who he sees too far left.

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• Allohistorical Allusion: Moussa Traoré was president of Mali OTL from 1968 to 1991 and can lead the country if the French defeat the WAA and PALF and put him in charge.
• Evil Reactionary: He's a fundamentalist Muslim who hates the progressive ideas of socialism.
• Open Secret: He occasionally brings a bag of French guns to his clique, claiming that he acquired them from a raid, but all of his men know that he actually got them from making deals with Free France.
• Undying Loyalty: Traoré will always align with Free France in the West African War, and he’ll stay neutral if France sides with Mali.

Niger

Sokoto

Official Name: Sultanate of Sokoto

Ruling Party: Royal Family

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

The Sultanate of Sokoto is a Nigerian traditional state with significant influence in the Muslim communities of Northern Nigeria. By 1962, the Sultanate has relocated itself up the Niger river, into what was once French Sudan and Niger.

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• Artistic License – Geography: The traditional Sokoto lands in real life were in Northern and Northwestern Nigeria; their territory in TNO meanwhile is pushed far further west than they ever reached in OTL, going as far as Timbuktu. Their eastern city, Niamey, is in real life the western end of the Sokoto Caliphate's influenced territories. They also don't actually control Sokoto, despite their name.
• Balkanize Me: When the German bombing campaign over West Africa ends, Zarmaland and Fuuta Fulbe will secede from Sokoto, reducing its territorial extant. It can get even worse for Sokoto if Sawaba revolts against them in the WAA/PALF and FMA/PALF scenarios for the inevitable West African War.
• Civil War: During the West African Crisis, the Mouvement Socialiste Africain–Sawaba under Djibo Bakary can revolt against Sokoto.

Siddiq Abubakar III

Role: Military Commander, Head of State

Party: Royal Family

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Siddiq Abubakar III, Sultan of Sokoto, Commander of the Faithful, Sarkin Musulmi, and head of the Nigerian branch of the Qadiriyya Sufi order, is the last link in a chain that stretches back into the ancient history of this corner of Africa. Born in 1903, on the same day the British finally subjugated the Sultanate of Sokoto, Abubakar descends from the founders of the Sokoto state, who played a key role in establishing Islam in northern Nigeria. Receiving a religious education, Abubakar distinguished himself as a skilled administrator, well versed in the traditional laws of his people, before finally becoming of Sultan in 1938.

Alas, his hopes of a peaceful reign were soon dashed by the war. The shadow of the British Empire, looming over Africa, was dissolved and replaced by the thundering roar of Luftwaffe bombers, and soon chaos and anarchy enveloped Nigeria as they did much of the Sahel. With the end of the bombings, Abubakar restored his rule over much of the Sokoto lands and the Fula people. Governing as a de facto absolute monarch and spiritual guide, Abubakar is embraced by much of the traditionalist upper classes of the Fula, but growing dissent from reformist voices in the realm has started to threaten the Sultan's legitimacy.

What's worse, is that the Hausa population of Sokoto, long denied any real form of representation, is starting to resent the Fula-dominated Sultanate, as cries for Hausa self determination become louder and louder. Finally, other ethnicities on the borderlands of the Sokoto realm, mostly the Zarma and the Fulbe, are also growing restless under the Fula yoke, and are likely preparing to break free from the Sultanate. Despite all of this, Sultan Abubakar still holds on - and only time will tell if his adherence to the ancient and honoured ways of his forefathers will prove sufficient to survive in this new, cruel world.

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• Good Old Ways: Deconstructed. He wants to restore the original Sokoto sultanate and means well, but this has only earned him the ire of reformists and ethnic minorities who want greater representation in the government.

Fuuta Fulbe

Official Name: Fuuta Fulbe

Ruling Party: Fulbe Nationalist Movement

Ideology: Personalistic Dictatorship^note Despotism

A Fulani Islamist republic that seceded from Cameroon, located in former Niger.

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• The Theocracy: Fuuta Fulbe's government is steeped in Islamic fundamentalism, notably in the tradition of Fiqh or Islamic jurisprudence.

Murtala Mohammed

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Head of Government (Mohammed cabinet)

Party: Mouvement Nationaliste Fulbe^note Fulbe Nationalist Movement

Ideology: Personalistic Dictatorship^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Murtala Mohammed is a soldier of Islam, through and through. He has been a soldier since his birth, and will most likely be one until he dies.

Born to a conservative, religious, and important Fulani family only a year before the Second World War shattered the world order, Muhammed was trained to defend his people from the increasingly aggressive Cameroonian revolutionaries. Throughout his formative years, Muhammed was steeped in fundamentalist Islamic thought, most notably the tradition of Fiqh, or Islamic jurisprudence. When the revolutionary attacks finally grew to be to much, the Fulani moved to what was once Niger, where they were as far from the revolutionaries as they could be. There, Murtala's fundamentalist ideas and policies began to draw the attention and support of his peers. This culminated in the Fulani Insurrection, in which Murtala led his supporters and solidified his control over the local area.

Today, Murtala's eyes and ears are angled inwards, as he simultaneously tries to fix a shattered nations economy while building, strengthening, and solidifying his own cult of personality. However, his hopes and dreams look outwards into West Africa, where Murtala holds dreams of restoring the Fulani people's long-lost glory and power. Whether these hopes will ever be established depends on how well Murtala can fix his nation and his support, as without either of these behind him, he and the Fulani will certainly be doomed to irrelevance.

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• Arch-Enemy: Murtala despises the Cameroonian Pan-Africanists for their aggressive expansionism and opposition to Islam.
• Cult of Personality: He built one for himself to solidify his control over Fuuta Fulbe.
• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: Murtala Mohammed in OTL was a Nigerian general who briefly ruled the country from 1975-1976. He was born to a Fulani clan, but he was born in Kano in Northern Nigeria, and in TNO he somehow ended up leading a Fulani state located around the OTL border between Mali and Burkina Faso.
• Warhawk: He wants to expand his territory throughout West Africa and restore the Fulani people's glory and power.

Amadou Hampâté Bâ

Role: Economy Minister (Mohammed cabinet), Head of State (Coup)

Party: Parti de l'Indépendance du Nigéria^note Nigeria Independence Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

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• The Coup: After the WAA wins the West African War, Bâ will coup the government of Fuuta Fulbe, bringing democracy to the country.

Zarmaland

Official Name: Zarma Republic

Ruling Party: Armée de Libération du Zarmaland^note Zarmaland Liberation Army

Ideology: Warlordism^note Despotism

A Zarma nation-state that declares its independence from the Sultanate of Sokoto. It controls the Northeastern parts of former French Upper Volta, Northern Dahomey, and Southwestern Niger west of the Niger river.

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• Decapitated Army: The militaristic government of Zarmaland entirely circles around the leadership of Kountché, leading many to predict that Zarmaland won't stick around much longer if Kountché were to suddenly die.
• Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Given the despotic and suppressive nature of Zarmaland's military dictatorship, many officers in Sokoto were reluctant to join in Kountché's secession and thus Zarmaland becomes one of the smallest nations in West Africa.
• Renegade Splinter Faction: They're a military government that seceded from Sokoto.

Seyni Kountché

Role: Military Commander, Head of Government (Kountché cabinet), Foreign Minister (Kountché cabinet), Economy Minister (Kountché cabinet), Head of State

Party: Armée de Libération du Zarmaland^note Zarmaland Liberation Army

Ideology: Warlordism^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} The Zarma people were once simply men surviving under the boot of the French, their nobles doing everything to survive their advances, making deals, avoiding trouble. But now, they are under a leader with the will and the way to lead the Zarma to freedom. Seyni Kountché is that man, a man with history connected to the Zarma, who brings the people of Zarmaland the strength to face down those who are enemies to the Zarma, like Issa Korombé and his struggle against the Fulani. However, that's but a façade. Seyni Kountché was but a man in the right place at the right time. Born the heir to the Zarmakoy Tondikandie, the heavily stratified Zarma society always held Kountché and his family in high regard, and the young man entered into training in the West African branch of the French army quite early. He slowly rose through the ranks in the Free French army after the mainland fell.

Then the bombs started falling. As the Free French were slowly beaten back, Kountché became aware of the fact that the Zarma were without a leader, and that this could be an easy way to get power. He took his opportunity quickly, leveraging his place as the nobility to rile the Zarma underneath him, establishing it as his domain in West Africa as the Luftwaffe destroyed all around them. This land, however, happened to be within the borders of the Sultanate of Sokoto, but what could they do about it? Hell was raining from the skies, there was no way to prevent this man from calling this land his own. One day, however, the bombings stopped. The Sokoto were weak, and more importantly, many of their army were Zarma. A speech here and there, and allies flocked to their side. Months after the bombing stopped, Kountché declared an independent Zarma state from Sokoto. But Kountché's control appears to be coming to an end. The people hate him and his deputies hate him even more. It seems that Kountché needs to make some difficult choices to remain in power...

Seyni Kountché is a former officer in the Free French army and a Zarma nationalist. When the bombings began and the French forces retreated, Kountché saw an opportunity for more power and seized the chance, riling up Zarma nationalism and creating his little domain in West Africa. When the bombings stopped and the Fulanis of Sokoto restored their rule over his people, Kountché attracted Zarma allies in the Sokoto military, and declared an independent Zarma state in just months after the bombings end.

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• 0% Approval Rating: It is noted in his bio that the people of Zarmaland hate him, and his deputies hate him even more.
• Opportunistic Bastard: His rhetoric of bringing self-determination to the Zarma people is a facade being peddled to secure his own power for the sake of it.

Sawaba

^{Flag of the Socialist Republic of the Niger River}

Official Name: Sawaba, Socialist Republic of the Niger River (Niger unified)

Ruling Party: Mouvement Socialiste Africain - Sawaba^note African Socialist Movement - Sawaba

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Small Role, Big Impact: Sawaba plays a peripheral role in the West African War, but their earlier rebellion against Sokoto is a major contributor to why the conflict starts, as their aggression against Sokoto drives many other West African nations from joining with Cameroon, leading them to oppose their Pan-African movement in the WAA/PALF or WAA/FMA/PALF scenarios of the West African War.

Djibo Bakary

Role: Head of State

Party: Mouvement Socialiste Africain - Sawaba^note African Socialist Movement - Sawaba

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• The Conqueror: Before and during the West African War, Bakary will invade and annex Sokoto, Zarmaland, and Fuuta Fulbe, unifying Niger for the first time since Sokoto's balkanization.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist: Like Moumié, Bakary genuinely believes that spreading Pan-Africanism to West Africa will liberate them from colonialism, even if it means invading neutral countries.

Niger

Official Name: Republic of the Niger River

Ruling Party: Parti Progressiste Nigérien - Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Nigerien Progressive Party - African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Personalistic Dictatorship^note Despotism

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Hamani Diori

Role: Head of State

Party: Parti Progressiste Nigérien - Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note Nigerien Progressive Party - African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Personalistic Dictatorship^note Despotism

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• President for Life: Diori wastes no time to convert the newly independent Niger into his own personal regime that utilizes election rigging to keep himself in power.

Upper Volta

Mossiland

^{Flag of the Voltaic Republic}

Official Name: Republic of Mossiland, Socialist Republic of the Volta (PALF), République de Haute-Volta^Tr.Republic of Upper Volta (French Decolonization)

Ruling Party: Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Controlled Democracy^note Paternalism

A Mossi state located in the western parts of former French Upper Volta.

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• Crapsaccharine World: Mossiland seems like a free and democratic nation, but it's actually plagued by division and authoritarianism under Yaméogo's government.
• Please Select New City Name: If the PALF is victorious in the West African War the country will be renamed to Burkina Faso.
• Satellite Character: Mossiland's main role is to be annexed by Free France, whether violently or peacefully.
• Small Role, Big Impact: Mossiland will always be annexed by Free France shortly after the German bombing campaigns cease, but the manner in which the annexation is carried out, whether peaceful or by conquest, will determine Free France's relationship with the other West African nations, determining whether they join with them against Cameroon or form a third faction opposed to both sides of the conflict.

Maurice Yaméogo

Role: Head of State, Head of Government (Yaméogo cabinet)

Party: Rassemblement Démocratique Africain^note African Democratic Rally

Ideology: Controlled Democracy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}To understand why Maurice Yaméogo is so devoted to the Francafrique idea, to the point that his nickname is "Monsieur Maurice", one has to know his past. Shunned and despised even by his own family simply for being interested in Christianity, Yaméogo left his old life to enter a seminary. But his relationships strayed far from the ecclesiastical standard. Yaméogo wanted to be a priest, but he was very keen on women and parties. In 1939, he left the seminary without graduating and was hired as a clerk by the French colonial administration. This extremely prestigious post meant success, security and prestige, and while the war raged in West Africa, Yaméogo was sent to Abidjan, a paradise for "evolved" Africans.

The rewards from Free France coupled with Yaméogo's ambition made him extremely loyal to the French cause in West Africa. When he returned to his homeland, he restored to popular acclaim the administration of Upper Volta, now called the republic of Mossiland, but refused to collaborate with other Africanist leaders like Senghor. Then Yaméogo eliminated all parliamentary opposition, purged all his enemies and imposed a one party system.

Yaméogo claims that Mossiland is a free, united and democratic republic, a shining example of African liberation, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Mossiland is a divided, weak and despotic statelet, completely dependent on French help to defend itself from more powerful warlords bordering the country. While the strategy works for now, if support from Free France comes to cease, Yaméogo will quickly find himself isolated, and while he often meets with De Gaulle to stay on good terms, at some point it will be one time too much.

Maurice Yaméogo is a Francophilic leader of Mossiland. Throughout his career and personal life, his success and prestige are deeply rooted in his connection to the French colonial administration. Even now, his one-party system heavily relies on Free French support, and he often meets De Gaulle, often one time too much.

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• Fatal Flaw: His complete dependence on Free France his biggest weakness, as his administration would quickly collapse if support was suddenly cut off.
• Foreign Culture Fetish: He's an extreme Francophile, often working together with Free France and paying visits to Charles de Gaulle.
• Freudian Excuse: He's obsessed with France because he was shunned by even his family for simply expressing interest in Christianity. This made it easier for him to become shamelessly devoted to France when the French colonial administration hired and rewarded him for his services.
• President for Life: He's eliminated all parliamentary restrictions against him and purged all of his enemies to effectively create a one-party state.

Joseph Ki-Zerbo

Role: Head of State (Cameroon victory)

Party: Parti pour la Démocratie et le Progrès^note Party for Democracy and Progress

Ideology: Pan-Africanism^note Socialism

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• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: Ki-Zerbo was a politician and prolific author in real life, but never became a head of state like in this timeline.

Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly

Role: Head of State (WAA victory)

Party: Parti Républicain pour la Liberté^note Republican Party for Liberty

Ideology: Populist Conservatism^note Conservatism

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• Historical Badass Upgrade: In OTL, most of Calibaly's political accomplishments involved collaborating in the French colony of Upper Volta and not leading his own independent country here.

Sahara

Azawad

Official Name: Tuareg Confederation of Azawad

Ruling Party: Amghar Council of Kel Ahaggar

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

A Tuareg Berber confederation.

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• The Federation: Azawad is a confederation of numerous Tuareg tribes across the Sahel, all united under Bey ag Akhamouk's leadership.

Bey ag Akhamouk

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Head of Government (Intalla cabinet), Security Minister (Intalla cabinet)

Party: Amghar Council of Kel Ahaggar

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

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• The Faceless: Akhamouk's portrait has his face almost completely obscured by head wrap.
• Walking the Earth: His nomadic lifestyle allowed him to survive the German bombings and form a new Tuareg nation once the bombings stop.

Aïr

Official Name: Sultanate of Aïr

Ruling Party: House of Umaru

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

A Berber kingdom located in the Saharan parts of the former French Niger.

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• Hidden Elf Village: The harsh environment of the Sahara allowed them to isolate themselves from the German bombers and persist through their attacks. They finally emerge and reveal themselves to the rest of the world once the bombing campaign ceases.

Ibrahim ibn 'Umaru

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Head of Government (Ibrahim cabinet)

Party: House of Umaru

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} To the foreigner, the desert that surrounds the Aïr Plateau is nothing but an inhospitable wasteland. But for the people who live there, who cross the desert with nothing but a camel and a mantle on their backs, the desert is more than a home. It's a place of plenty for the Tuaregs and a fortress that repels the invader. Sultan Ibrahim ibn 'Umaru knows this very well, and that is why he and his people survived even as the German bombers dominated the air and destroyed the cities.

As civilization crumbled under Nazi bombs, the Sultan took his chance to retreat in the desert with his people and a few refugees. There he waited, biding his time while keeping himself and his people hidden from danger. When the sky was finally free from the bombers, the sultan immediately went to Agadez, the city where his ancestor once ruled, to declare the restoration of the Sultanate of Kel Ayr, by the grace of Allah and His prophet Muhammad, and quickly reasserted his rule over the Air region.

The Sultanate of Kel Ayr is just like his leader: a bastion of Islam and tradition devoted to the defense of its people against any external threat, be it European colonizers or African progressives. The foreigners might protest this, call it "oppression" or "fascism", but the Tuaregs know that without the Sultan's guidance not only they would not be free, they would still struggle under anarchy. If today the people of the Aïr Plateau enjoy order and peace they owe it all to the Sultan and the Sahara, the two shields against the dangers coming from the outside world.

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• Good Old Ways: After reasserting his control over Aïr, Ibrahim wants to create a benevolent government based on Islamic beliefs and traditions.
• Universally Beloved Leader: While many Europeans would decry him as an authoritarian, he's widely beloved among the native Touaregs, who thank him for bringing order and peace to their home country.

Chad

Kanem

Official Name: Republic of Kanem

Ruling Party: National Union for Independence and Revolution

Ideology: Revolutionary Nationalism^note Fascism

A dictatorship located in the northern parts of former French Chad.

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• Apathetic Citizens: Most are aware that Habré is a brutal dictator, but they've become more resigned to the fact than angry.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: If Cameroon ends up collapsing after its defeat in the West African War, Kanem will invade to take back some territories they claim, in which Cameroon is usually far too weak to successfully repel them.

Hissène Habré

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Head of Government (Habré cabinet), Security Minister (Habré cabinet)

Party: National Union for Independence and Revolution

Ideology: Revolutionary Nationalism^note Fascism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} In the deserts of what was once called Chad by the French, a new power comes into play. A nation and a people, bombed into dust for years, now rises anew, and led by one of their own men. This man is Hissène Habré, and he has many stories to tell.

When one looks at it rationally, it makes almost no sense that one 20 year old man can, with little funding and no outside help, come to depose and destroy the sultans and kings that have ruled Chad for centuries. A closer look, however, reveals how he managed it. A low ranking officer trained in the Saraland militias, Hissène split from the group to lead his own movement. Promising centralization, change, and a death to the old ways and systems, Habré quickly gathered strength and momentum as he became the face of the Kanem Revolution. With nobody organized or powerful enough to stop him, Habré's armies quickly swept through northern Chad and seized control, placing Habré in sole command of Kanem.

The people of Kanem have swapped their system of dictators for one dictator instead, and Habré has wasted no time in solidifying his rule. Already, those who speak out against his regime disappear, and rumors of wild debauchery and torture occasionally slip out among the populace. Torture, murder, and human rights violations are all regular occurences in the name of stability and order. Though the people of Kanem are slowly beginning to regret their choice, a feeling of resignation rather than revolution has become common among them.

After all, Habré is not a sultan, and anything is better than a sultan. Right?

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• Full-Circle Revolution: Promising centralisation, change and an end to the old ways and systems, Habré became the face of the Kanem Revolution. When the revolution succeeded, Habré turned out to be a dictator no better than the sultans before him, and the people of Kanem are slowly beginning to regret their choice.
• Young and in Charge: Habré was born in 1942, making him only 20 when the game starts and is possibly the youngest leader in the world of TNO at the start of the game, younger than even Valery Sablin in Buryatia or Gutrum Vagner in the Aryan Brotherhood.
• Young Future Famous People: Habré in OTL seized power in Chad in 1982. In TNO, he comes to power two decades earlier.

Mauritania

Trarza

Official Name: Islamic State of Mauritania

Ruling Party: Military Committee for National Recovery

Ideology: Revolutionary Nationalism^note Fascism

A Mauritanian national liberation force located to the South of Spanish Sahara. It can become involved in the Iberian Wars and invade Iberian North Africa to liberate Mauritania.

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• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: If the Iberian Wars occur and Morocco secedes, Trarza will annex some neighboring territory and declare war on their northern neighbor, intending to take their Mauritanian territory.
• We ARE Struggling Together: While most want to reform a new Mauritanian nation, there is heavy factionalism between Saleck's clique, socialists, and other generals disloyal to the current government.

Moustapha Ould Mohamed Saleck

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Head of Government (Saleck cabinet)

Party: Military Committee for National Recovery

Ideology: Revolutionary Nationalism^note Fascism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Moustapha Ould Mohamed Saleck was three when the war broke out in Europe. Born in the city of Kiffa, he was fourteen when the bombs started dropping upon West Africa. But Saleck's youth does not nullify his willpower, and now, he will bring in the new dawn of Mauritania, and unite the forgotten peoples of West Africa into a strong and free state, free of Iberian and French influence altogether.

Saleck was a mere teenager when he joined the party of Moktar Ould Daddah, The Mauritanian People's Movement, as the French were pushed to the Ivory Coast and the Iberians secured their land with a pistol grip. Honing his skills, he rose up the ranks in five years until he was one of Daddah's most trusted generals. Whispers about how this young man personally beat back an entire Iberian regiment became an inspiration to the freedom fighters of Mauritania.

But Saleck had issue with Daddah, as did many. He saw nothing but weakness in the man, a socialist who held Islamic values about as closely as any other betrayer of the faith, a man who refused to make any sort of definitive large-scale move against the Iberian scum who were occupying Mauritanian lands. Eventually, plots were created, ideas were drawn up, and the military's scheme was put into action. Moktar Ould Daddah was asked to step down from the leadership of the party with a gun to his back, as to cause as little alarm as possible, and the Mauritanian People's Movement was reorganised into the Military Committee for National Recovery, a group of Generals who were dedicated to the formation of the true Mauritanian nation.

But Saleck still faces opposition within Trarza, from both the more socialistic members of the population who wish for Daddah to return, to the rest of the Generals in his clique, and of course, there's always the threat of the Iberian people occupying their rightful land, he assumes waiting to strike at any moment...

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• Dragon Ascendant: He was a high-ranking general of the Mauritanian People's Movement before he couped its leadership and took power for himself.
• Military Coup: Saleck came to power by plotting with the military, asking Moktar Ould Daddah to step down from the leadership of the Mauritanian People's Movement with a gun to his back, and reorganising it into the Military Committee for National Recovery, a group of generals dedicated to the formation of the true Mauritanian nation.
• Younger Than They Look: Saleck was born in 1936, thus making him 26 when the game starts. However, his portrait makes him look like he's in his 50s, with greying hair. This is likely due to a lack of historical photos of him.
• Pragmatic Villainy: At the moment, he's avoided retaking Iberian territory in Mauritania, instead waiting for a perfect opportunity before striking. He can get this chance if the Iberian Wars occur, leaving Morocco vulnerable to an invasion without foreign interference.

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