It Ends with Knight by Yasmin Angoe

Author:Yasmin Angoe [Angoe, Yasmin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-09-04T16:00:00+00:00

31

Asogi grew somber, leaning forward. “Judah, how are the families of the deceased? And the injured? How do they fare?”

Judah didn’t answer immediately. He leveled his gaze at the prime minister. “They would be better off with help from your office.” His tone was measured with a dash of accusation, as he knew well what the answer would be.

Asogi grimaced regretfully, drawing back. He looked quickly at Ms. Odemba, who replied with a quick shake of her head. Nothing had changed for them. Tegete had requested help from Nena’s father, and that would be coming, but it was not for either of them to say just yet.

“I am sorry, Judah. We simply cannot right now. Not without the reform measures in place,” Asogi finally said.

If looks could kill, Asogi would be with the ancestors. He knew it and withered beneath Judah’s death stare.

Dubin let out a deep sigh, as if some miscarriage of justice had been done. He gave Judah a pointed look. “Of course. It’s like I said.”

Tegete cleared his throat. “Have faith, Judah, perhaps help will present itself.” He moved on. “This is the first time we’re officially meeting all together before Mr. Judah Wasira presents the reform provisions to the Lateman elders and townspeople for their approval. It will be the guide for all mining contracts going forward between the people of Tanzania, the government, and outside interests. There is full transparency here. We thank your village for being the voice of Tanzanians.”

Judah said, “My village wants all rights to the land. We don’t need the government to dictate who we sell to, how much, and what we retain. We want to deal with the companies directly. If the government is truly about transparency and giving the people what they deserve, then step aside.”

Nena looked up. The idea was to form a partnership. There was no way private corporations would give up all that to miners without someone overseeing them.

Asogi looked at Tegete. “Cut us out entirely? But who will negotiate mining regulations on your behalf? The miners? Chieftains?” He almost said “you,” but smartly refrained. “How do they know to do such things? And what to ask for?”

Judah jabbed his chest with a thumb. “I can do it.”

Dubin suppressed a smile.

Nena said, “Judah, let’s pause a minute.”

Judah said no. “You think we don’t know how to get what we want. We do.”

“There’s no doubt that you do,” Tegete said. “But why not help create regulations that also work for all people? Use the help being offered.”

Asogi interjected, “I don’t know why you believe the government is out to steal from you or control what you own by right. Aside from the reasonable tax you’d pay.”

Judah scoffed, pushing the portfolio of papers from him. “See, that’s what I mean. Taxes. You will tax so high it will be like we are only mining to pay your tax. This is what government does. What rich people do. Become richer off the broken backs of the poor and lower class.

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