RED DOOR PICTURES (PTY)LTD
A South African film and television production company.
A South African film and television production company.
It is cause for grave consideration that the constitutional development of Lamumba as a full-fledged, sovereign and independent nation was concluded with great strife and bloody revolution for freedom against colonial repression in a prolonged and painful resistance against the oppressor by the native inhabitants of this land. It however gives me great pleasure to declare the 5th of November 1957 as our independence day. A beginning of a new era for the Lamunabe people.
Annon Adebayo
Chitinga City, Lamumba | 5 November 1957
The flag of Lamumba consists of three horizontal stripes of equal size, with the colours red, black, and green from top to bottom. The red stripe represents the blood shed by the Lamunabe in their fight for independence. The black stripe symbolizes the country's wealth and mineral resources, the green stripe represents the rich forests and agricultural lands of Lamumba. In the centre of the flag, there is a gold five-pointed star. The gold star is a symbol of the ancients roots of the Lamunabe an ancient African civilization. The gold colour of the star also represents the future of the Lamunabe people. Overall, the flag of Lamumba is a simple yet powerful representation of the country's past, present, and future. The vibrant colours and bold design are reflective of the country's strong cultural identity, while the gold star serves as a constant reminder of Lamumba's commitment to African unity.
The flag of Lamumba is called "Milele". It is a Swahili word that means "eternity" or "forever". The name reflects the aspirations of the Lamunabe people for a prosperous and peaceful future that will endure for generations to come. It also acknowledges the sacrifices that were made to achieve independence and the resilience of the Lamunabe people in the face of adversity. The name "Milele" is simple, yet powerful, and captures the essence of the flag of Lamumba.
Milele
"Resilience, Freedom, Progress"
This motto reflects the struggles and triumphs of the Lamunabe people in their fight for independence and their ongoing efforts to build a just and prosperous society. "Resilience" honours the courage and perseverance of the native inhabitants who resisted colonial repression for generations. "Freedom" celebrates the hard-won victory of independence and the enduring commitment to self-determination. And "Progress" speaks to the hope and ambition of a people striving to create a better future for themselves and their descendants. The shield of the coat of arms is divided into three equal parts. The top section is blue, the middle section is gold, and the bottom section is green. The blue represents the courage and determination of the Lamunabe people in their struggle for independence. The gold symbolizes the wealth and potential of the country, and the green represents the fertile land and natural resources that sustain the nation.
In the centre of the shield, there is a stylized image of a lion. The lion represents the resilience, freedom, and progress of the Lamunabe people. It is a powerful and majestic animal that is known for its strength and courage. The lion is depicted with its head held high, symbolizing the pride and dignity of the Lamunabe people. Above the shield, there is a white star, representing the guiding light of independence and the hope of a bright future. The star is set against a red background, which symbolizes the sacrifice and bloodshed that were necessary to achieve freedom. Below the shield, there is a banner with the national motto, "Resilience, Freedom, Progress," written in bold letters. The banner is green, representing the growth and prosperity of the country.
Lamumba is a landlocked country located near the equator in central Africa. It shares its southern border with Sangala, Cameroon to the west, and the Central African Republic on its eastern border. With a total area of 175,000 square kilometres, Lamumba is relatively small compared to other countries in Africa. However, the country's mountainous landscape of tropical rainforests and dense vegetation is home to a rich biodiversity of plant and animal species. The country's topography is characterized by a series of mountain ranges and plateaus that run from north to south, with elevations ranging from 300 to 1,500 meters above sea level. The highest point in Lamumba is Mount Lambe, in the Somero mountain range which stands at 1,850 meters. These mountains and plateaus are the source of several major rivers, including the Lambe and Taninga rivers.
Makanga Province in the west is home to some of the country's most fertile lands, with vast expanses of grasslands, and agricultural fields. The province is also home to several major wildlife reserves, including the Makanga National Park, which is known for its diverse array of animal species such as elephants, lions, and giraffes. Junnuar Province in the south and east is predominantly covered by tropical rainforests, which are home to a variety of rare and endangered plant and animal species, including gorillas, chimpanzees, and forest elephants. The province is also home to several major rivers, including the Ujari River, which provides water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. Borno Province in the north is the country's most arid region, characterized by vast expanses of deserts and semi-arid grasslands. The province is home to several nomadic tribes, who raise cattle and goats and travel with the seasons in search of water and pasture.
The indigenous people of Lamumba are the Yiburu, primarily found in the north and west of the country, and the Junnuari in the south. The Yiburu are primarily nomadic pastoralists, while the Junnuari are predominantly farmers and hunters. The country's population is approximately 18 million inhabitants, with the majority of the population living in rural areas and engaging in subsistence farming and herding. In terms of natural resources, Lamumba is rich in minerals such as gold, copper, and diamonds, as well as timber and agricultural produce. However, the country's lack of infrastructure and limited access to markets have hindered its ability to fully exploit these resources.
The French colonial presence in Lamumba began in 1885, when the country was claimed as part of French West Africa, in the Scramble for Africa. The French, like other European colonial powers, exploited the country's resources and people for their own benefit, instituting harsh policies and repressive measures to maintain control. By the early 20th century, Lamumba had become an important source of raw materials, including rubber, timber, and minerals, for the French economy. Notwithstanding the French presence, there were early signs of resistance to colonial rule. In the 1920s and 30s, a small group of educated Lamunabe began to challenge French policies, calling for greater representation and rights for their people. These efforts were met with repression and violence, but the movement for independence remained small and fragmented.
In the aftermath of World War II the movement for independence gained momentum. The war had exposed the contradictions of European claims to superiority, and colonial peoples around the world began to demand their rights and freedom. In Lamumba, a new generation of activists emerged, inspired by the anti-colonial struggles in India, Algeria, and other parts of the world. The first significant challenge to French rule in Lamumba came in 1946, when a general strike organized by trade unions brought the country to a standstill. The French authorities responded with violence, killing dozens of protestors and arresting hundreds more. This repression only fuelled the flames of resistance and the movement for independence grew stronger.
In the early 1950s, a new generation of leaders emerged. Amongst the new young activists was a charismatic Yiburi goat herder called Annon Adebayo, who would become the face of the Lamunabe struggle for independence. Adebayo was born in 1925 in a small village Bukiri in the north of the country. He attained his degree in political science “Licence de Science Politique” from the Sorbonne in 1948 and became a teacher, He was inspired to become involved in politics by the injustices he saw around him. In 1952, Adebayo founded the Lamunabe National Congress (LNC), a political party that called for an end to French colonial rule and the establishment of an independent Lamumba. The LNC quickly gained support among the educated elite and the working class, and Adebayo became the country's most visible and charismatic leader.
In 1956, Adebayo called for a general strike and a campaign of civil disobedience to pressure the French into granting independence. The strike was a success, shutting down the country's economy and paralyzing the French administration. The French authorities responded with more violence, killing dozens of protestors and arresting thousands more. But the tide had turned, and the French government realized that its days in Lamumba were numbered. In 1957, after years of struggle and sacrifice, Lamumba finally gained its independence from France. Annon Adebayo became the country's first president, hailed as a hero by his people.
The victory was short-lived. Almost immediately, the country descended into chaos and violence, as rival factions jockeyed for power and control. Adebayo, determined to maintain his grip on power, ruled with an iron fist, using violence and repression to suppress dissent and opposition. In 1967, a faction of the military, led by Colonel Yakubu Gowon, staged a coup and ousted Adebayo from power. Adebayo went into exile in France, and Gowon became the new leader of Lamumba. However, Gowon's rule was also marked by repression and corruption, and he faced increasing opposition from the Junnuari ethnic minority.
In 1970, a civil war broke out in Lamumba, when the Junnuari People’s Party fought against the now predominantly Yiburu LNC fought for control of the country. The war lasted for ten years, and it was marked by atrocities on both sides, as well as the involvement of foreign powers. Finally, in 1980, a peace agreement was reached, and a new government, led by President Yakubu Danjuma, was installed. Danjuma's rule was initially marked by a period of relative stability and economic growth, but in the 1990s, the country was once again plunged into political turmoil. Adebayo returned from exile and regain power, leading to another period of civil unrest and violence.
In 1997, Adebayo died, and a succession battle ensued between his son, Gabriel, and a young Junnuari Harvard graduate Udo Kalamba. Kalamba had convinced the most decorated and respected leader of the Lamumba military General Didier Abuwame that he could lead the Lamunabe people into the twenty first century. General Abuwame and Kalamba who were both from the southern town of Juno in Junnuar Province formed the NML in an effort to pursue their shared goals with greater intensity. This faction separated from the larger political party (JPP) to create a new movement that is more militant in its approach to opposed Gabriel Adebayo’s rule.
The Lamumba President banned the new party and labelled them rebels. General Abuwame disappeared into the Jungles of Southern Junnuar Province while Kalamba went into exile in neighbouring Sangala. Another period of civil war, which lasted for 14 years and claimed the lives of thousands of Lamunabe people finally ended in 2021 when Udo Kalamba, political leader of the NML signed the Kinshasa Protocol, a peace deal brokered by the former South African President Thato Moeketsi as AU envoy in the Lamumba civil conflict. The agreement saw Gabriel Adebayo remain as president of Lamumba until the country could elect a new leader in a democratic process supervised the African Union.