NEWSFLASH - Mbote and Zubuto sign historic alliance [Reuters]

President Banga Boum welcomes President Dudu

From our diplomatic correspondent in Bjobo

In a surprise strategic move, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Mbote has announced the formation of a military alliance with the Independent Democratic Federation of Zubuto, which has until now maintained a political and strategic distance from the on-going conflict between Mbote and Bana Soto.

It would appear that a recent upsurge in military activity in the Mbote-Bana Soto border zone and the military success of the MDF and PVA, has convinced President Dudu of Zubuto to back the Mbote cause rather than remain on the sidelines of this regional conflict. The President of Mbote, Colonel Banga Boum, has congratulated President Dudu on his decision to back the Mbote cause.

ZAP troops on patrol in Bjobo

The armed forces of Zubuto include a significant number of up to date second hand tanks, carefully used armoured vehicles and pre-owned helicopter gunships, supplied and maintained by dedicated Soviet specialists and top notch military advisors. The Zubuto Army of the People [ZAP] ground forces are quite well-trained and fairly motivated.

The potential for an escalation of the dispute between Mbote and Bana Soto has been significantly increased by this unexpected and highly contraversial switch in the geo-political allegiance of the government of Zubuto, leading to renewed border incursions by combined MDF and ZAP units into Bana Soto territory.