Quoted By:
<span class="mu-s">South African embassy in Kinshasa, DRC</span>
You had expected that this process could take months from the fundraising, paperwork, calling back and forth, pointless meetings, and even bribes. You were even prepared for this to be a partial or complete "dead end" that resulted in nothing.
Instead you find that your paperwork was fast-tracked and the process for affording to have a plane charted, and paying for an escort... It all goes very smoothly.
As far as the Diplomat knows, the South Africans view you as both a moderate with ties to both sides, but you are able to detect that it's likely that they view you as someone who isn't beholden to the military alliance that backed the DRC Gov or the Rwanda/Uganda alliance that backed the Rebels.
You are welcomed into a secure, wood-paneled office and find yourself sitting across from a senior member of President Thabo Mbeki's facilitation team. He is a sharp, quiet man who has spent months negotiating with warlords and generals; your presence is a welcome change of pace. He listens intently, nodding as you lay out your vision for a unified Congo and your concerns that the armed factions will dominate the coming transitional government, squeezing out the civilian political class.
"Doctor," he begins, his tone direct and sincere, "President Mbeki's vision for an African Renaissance depends on a stable and prosperous Congo. We are not here simply to stop the shooting; we are here to build a state. Men with guns are a necessary part of the peace, but men with ideas are essential for the government that follows. We see you as one of those men."
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(You were already told this, but I will tell you again. The character didn't quite know this for certain, but they know now.)
There are going to be four vice-presidents as part of the transitional government, one to represent each faction. You were heavily considered to represent the opposition, but now you're guaranteed.
In Pretoria, South Africa the diplomat at met plenty officials from all sides and had gotten a "read" on them. He details to you what he knows, and you are fairly certain he's telling the truth and at worst leaving some out.
You are told that South Africa will be a "guarantor" of your position. Your bloc will always have a place, assuming there is anything close to reasonable popular support.
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