African Business Chronicles

Chapter 64 – "One-Day Politics"

The colonial government prepared 1,500 military personnel under Commander Arlmann, marching in grand formation toward Zanzibar's borders.

…

Dar es Salaam

Majid bin Said and his relatives were released from the dungeon by colonial soldiers, returning to the throne of Zanzibar.

Although the legitimate Zanzibar government had reclaimed power, Majid bin Said and his palace ministers were still confined within the palace, forbidden to step out even half a pace.

Zanzibar's army was disbanded, all officers were detained, and the enlisted men were dismissed home. All their weapons were seized.

Only the female servants remained in the palace, responsible for the Sultan's and ministers' daily care. The male servants were driven out, to prevent Zanzibar's side from using them for any plotting.

Felix arranged for Hans Zhang to oversee these people while he himself maintained order in Dar es Salaam. Basil returned to his post to receive new immigrants arriving at port that day.

As for Baghāsh bin Said and his associates, they were thrown into the Zanzibar dungeon like stray dogs. Because Baghāsh had stabbed him in the back, Sultan Majid bin Said was furious and demanded that the colonial forces execute Baghāsh bin Said.

But since Baghāsh bin Said was an important "piece of evidence" for the East African Colony, he obviously could not be arbitrarily put to death.

Majid bin Said then demanded at least that Baghāsh bin Said be placed in the worst cell with the worst food, ensuring he would not have a good time.

Although Majid bin Said had only spent one day in the dungeon, Baghāsh bin Said had not had time to torment him. After all, they were half-brothers, and Baghāsh still needed Majid's name to take control of Zanzibar. So, during the time Baghāsh had not yet finished reorganizing the country, Majid's treatment in the dungeon wasn't too harsh.

And due to the East African Colony's sudden arrival and Baghāsh bin Said's swift defeat, Majid bin Said was released in less than one day.

The entire coup took place within one day, and Zanzibar was the first sovereign state the East African Colony had defeated. It was later recorded into the East African government's official history under the name "One-Day Politics," or "Zanzibar's One-Day Politics."

Baghāsh bin Said's government thus became one of the shortest-lived governments in world history, from the moment he declared himself Zanzibar's "ruling regent" until the colonial government seized the royal palace, lasting about eleven hours.

The East African Colony's losses were only that one immigrant ship convoy was forced to delay, with the army suffering one soldier killed, two seriously wounded, and six lightly wounded.

This small loss mainly happened because the colonial troops lacked heavy weapons. They had to rely on soldiers equipped with rifles and a few grenades to assault the far larger Zanzibar forces.

Zanzibar, having split off from the Omani Empire, was in fact a rare maritime military power in the Indian Ocean region.

Although most of Zanzibar's territory lies along the East African coast, its main hub is the offshore island of Zanzibar.

Zanzibar Island's population and economy make up seventy percent of the sultanate, while on the continent, only Dar es Salaam and Mombasa have noticeable populations, mostly engaged in slavery and ivory trades.

Zanzibar's navy did not join this battle; it only consisted of several old wooden European-style warships inherited from the Omani Empire.

The Arab ships at sea were mostly armed merchant vessels engaged in maritime trade and not under the sultan's control. Zanzibar's influence in the region mainly came from occupying the land area along with Zanzibar Island's geographic advantage.

Because these Arab vessels needed to dock at Zanzibar to rest and reload supplies and fresh water, Zanzibar's navy was far less impressive than many assumed.

Additionally, in recent years, the Zanzibar sultan had shifted the political focus to the mainland and even moved the palace from Zanzibar Island to Dar es Salaam. Because the navy couldn't come ashore, Baghāsh bin Said was able to seize the Zanzibar regime with only Dar es Salaam's garrison.

As for the sultanate's capital falling into the hands of the East African Colony, it essentially came down to the entrenched mindset of the local people.

Before the colony was established, there was no one in East Africa who could seriously challenge Zanzibar. On land, the sultanate could easily defeat the inland tribal groups of the still-primitive Eastern Bantu.

Being unchallenged on land gave the earlier—somewhat capable—Sultan Majid bin Said confidence to push his territory along the East African coast, ultimately relocating the capital to Dar es Salaam.

Now, the Germans arrived, and the elderly Sultan plus his ministers still hadn't changed their ways. Furthermore, the East African Colony had always treated Zanzibar with courtesy, inadvertently encouraging the sultanate's booming slave trade—thus the upper echelons continued in their luxurious, indulgent lifestyle.

…

On the third day, Arlmann and his main force rushed to Dar es Salaam at full speed.

On the road, Arlmann had already received Felix's triumphal dispatch. But seeing as half of his forces were already on the march, they couldn't simply turn around, so they kept marching on Dar es Salaam. Meanwhile, Felix's messenger proceeded west to inform the colonial government.

"Felix, excellent job. This battle has truly impressed me!" Arlmann said to him.

"Haha, it was nothing. Who would've guessed Zanzibar's army would be so useless? I originally thought them better than the inland tribes, since they had firearms. Didn't expect them to be such weaklings," Felix boasted.

"How about casualties?" Arlmann asked.

"One soldier died, two are still being treated for serious wounds—both out of danger—and six were slightly injured." Speaking of this, Felix's tone dimmed somewhat.

He'd assumed they could avoid losses entirely, thanks to Zanzibar's poor performance.

"All right, in war there's always a price. Besides, we were outnumbered and outgunned. Don't let small numbers overshadow bigger aims. If we can reduce losses, that's best. But don't let one setback hold you back. True soldiers must face trials and responsibilities." Arlmann gave a timely reminder, preventing Felix from sinking into self-doubt.

"True…I was too optimistic, Commander Arlmann. There can't be perfection in everything." Felix said.

"That's right. Gather the remains of our fallen comrade, and let's keep moving forward."

…

Arlmann's arrival solved the manpower shortage in Dar es Salaam, placing the Zanzibar Sultanate fully under the temporary control of the East African Colony.

After hearing the news, the colonial government sent word of their victory to Europe, waiting for Ernst to decide on how to handle Zanzibar.

Given the limitations of transportation and distance, Ernst would only receive the news a dozen days later.

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