Before we became slaves of Karume and his government of thugs there was
never any connection between me and Abdul-Aziz Twala. However under slavery
we were great pals as if we had always been together before. The welfare
of our country and our common fate brought the two of us together. Everyday
after our slavish toil and munching our pieces of bitter cassava and old
cassava leaves, we would seek some shade for a chat. Our conversation centered
on the future of our country, Zanzibar, and how to divert it from the way
Karume was running it. Twala had faith in me, so that he warned me
against some of his own companions, like Jaha Ubwa, Mdungi Usi and Said
Tumba (Said Njugu). They on their part warned Twala against me. They told
him: "We see you are closely associating with Aman. Never forget that he
is a Hizbu (ZNP) man." Twala was annoyed with those words of theirs,
and he told them it was wrong to think in those terms. He told me also
what his friends were saying.
In our daily conversation Twala told me a great deal about how their
usurper government was being run by Karume. I am not able to describe all
that he told me, but I will summarily mention those parts which I
think are of public benefit. In particular I would like to draw the attention
of those who were young or were not yet born at the time, so that they
may have a true perception of that government which bragged itself as the
one which removed injustice, feudalism and monarchy, and brought about
equality to the people. I shall begin with the story of Othman Shariff
as Twala described to me. I will not add anything of my own.
WHAT HAPPENED TO OTHMAN SHARIFF
Twala told me that since the founding of the Young African Social Union
(YASU) Karume never looked with favour at Othman Shariff who had founded
the union. As Karume knew that he himself was not educated and Othman was
an educated person, he always had the fear that one day Othman would take
over from him the leadership of the Africans. That was the one thing that
Karume could never accept. Twala said that to safeguard himself against
such an eventuality, the first thing that Karume did as soon as the invasion
succeeded was to ban all organizations, political, social and racial. Among
the banned organizations was YASU. The second step was to exile Othman
as an ambassador of Tanzania.
Twala told me that in 1966 Othman Shariff came to Tanzania on official
duties, and that after completing those duties on the mainland he visited
Zanzibar.
"Not much time elapsed when suddenly we saw Othman brought to the
Revolutionary Council."
Twala says that Karume told them: "I have brought this traitor before
you. Although we have made him our ambassador in America, he is not yet
satisfied. He insists on trying to be the President of this country. Before
his arrival in Tanzania we had already had a full report regarding his
plottings to cause disturbances in our country in order to bring back his
masters. When he arrived here the youths of our action group tailed him
everywhere he went without he himself knowing it. In his movements the
action group observed him visiting some of our military positions trying
to entice some military personnel in order to get them on his side when
he launches his treachery. When the action group saw him taking that step
they got hold of him and brought him to me, and I have brought him to you
seeking your decision as to what we should do to him."
Twala told me that most of them were puzzled. They knew that what
Karume said was all lies, but who could question or contradict him, or
argue with him? In the end he himself made the decision of sentencing Othman
Shariff to ten years' imprisonment. There and then Karume commanded Ibrahim
Makungu and Edington Kisasi to take Othman Shariff to prison, as he had
already been tried convicted. and sentenced. When Twala was
telling me all this I was amazed. I asked Twala:
"In that Council of yours had you no right to speak or question?
What was the use of calling a meeting then?"
This indeed was not much of a surprise. It was a basic principle
of this government to tell lies and fabricate. allegations. They
fabricate lies against people, imprison them without trial, confiscate
their properties, take their wives, maim them in prison and even
kill them, basing all allegations on pure fantasies and fabrications.
Twala told me that when Nyerere heard of Othman Shariff's imprisonment
he could no longer keep quiet. He intervened and compelled Karume to release
Othman. After getting him released Nyerere chose not to return Othman to
his ambassadorial post, but he appointed him to his original profession,
as a veterinary surgeon in Iringa, central Tanzania. Twala said Karume
was displeased with Nyerere's act of releasing Othman from prison. Hence
Karume dived deep and when he rose he came up with a new trick. This time
he put to use Othman's closest friends, Jaha Ubwa, Mdungi Usi and Said
Njugu as "witnesses" to Othman's plotting to overthrow the Government of
Zanzibar. Twala told me that one day an emergency meeting of the usurpers'
council was called. At that meeting were present Jaha Ubwa, Mdungi Usi
and Said Njugu, none of whom was a member of the council of usurpers. Karume
told his council: "I have brought these brothers of yours after they
came and told me things which I would like them to tell you themselves."
He first asked Jaha Ubwa to begin to speak. Jaha said:
"When Othman was in America he used to send us letters informing
us that he had a plan to recruit mercenaries to come and overthrow the
government of Zanzibar. Othman wanted us to try to persuade some youths
in the army to be ready when the time arrived, to join forces with the
mercenaries in carrying out the plot."
Jaha continued to speak: "When Othman Shariff came to Zanzibar he
blamed us for not replying to his letters. We replied to him that we had
not answered him because we did not agree with his plot."
Twala told me that Jaha said that Othman bade them goodbye and told
them:
"It is all right. Do not mention anything about this any more. Forget
about it."
Twala informed me that Mdungi Usi and Said Njugu merely confirmed
what Jaha had said. In the end Said Njugu said:
"When we saw that Othman did not show any sign that he agreed with
us, and fearing lest he bring disturbances in our country we decided to
go to the Mzee (Karume) and tell him all that had been related here."
After Jaha and Said Njugu had had their say Karume told the Council:
"My own advice is that I would like these brothers of ours
themselves to go to Mwalimu (Nyerere) and relate to him what they have
just told us. Mwalimu thinks that I do not like Othman. Mwalimu is not
aware of Othman's plottings as I know them and you know them. I don't know
what your views are?"
Twala said that all agreed to that suggestion, for every one with
any sense in him understood that everything had been prearranged, and Jaha
Ubwa, Mdungi Usi and Said Njugu had also been planned to say what they
did, and that it was all blatant lies. But because there was none who could
object or question, they all agreed. It was considered that Mwalimu would
himself make the necessary investigations and Othman might receive mercy.
The next day all the three were dispatched to Dar-es-Salaam. Shortly
after the return of Karume's delegation Othman Shariff was brought to Zanzibar.
His trip ended with the prison of "Ba Mkwe".
OTHMAN SHARIFF'S TORTURE
AND MURDER
According to the information that I got from brother Idrisa Majura when
we were in prison together, the murderous gang of Mandera subjected Othman
to the most inhuman, humiliating, and barbaric tortures imaginable. In
the end he was shot and his body was thrown into the sea. He was denied
even the right to be buried in his native soil.
Idrisa Majura was a young man of the Haya tribe born in Bukoba, Tanganyika,
by Lake Victoria. He was brought up in Zanzibar as a protégée
of Sheikh Said Komba Nyongo (murdered by the regime in 1964). Idrisa had
his schooling in Zanzibar. After the invasion of Zanzibar and the murder
of his patron, the young man returned to his native Bukoba. When Othman
Shariff was arrested and brought back to Zanzibar, Idrisa Majura was also
arrested in Bukoba and brought to Zanzibar. They met at "Ba-Mkwe". In the
coming pages I will describe what was done to Idrisa as a prisoner of Karume
at Langoni.
IMPRISONMENT AND MURDER OF
SALEH SAADALLA
There is nothing that Karume so much hated as those who were educated.
Having had no benefit of education himself he hated all those who had it.
He once at a rally at Miafuni, Raha Leo, told his followers:
"Let us keep our distance from the educated by one hundred yards!"
Most of his ministers who were educated were not looked at with favour
by him. But because he had come along with them for a good length of time
he forced himself to co-exist with them until he could get an opportunity
to eliminate each one of them in turn.
Saleh Saadalla was particularly hated by Karume for two reasons.
Firstly because Saleh Saadalla was educated, and secondly he was married
to a former mistress of Karume. Indeed Karume was more infatuated with
the woman than she was with Karume.
Twala told me that one day in the year 1966 Saleh Saadalla was late
for a normal sitting of the Usurpers' Council. When he arrived the
meeting had already started. When he was about to sit down, Twala told
me, Mzee Karume said to Saleh:
"Do not sit down until you tell us why you have been late to
come to the meeting."
Saleh replied: "It was an emergency; I had to take my wife to hospital."
"Have you no chauffeur to drive her? Was it necessary that you should
take her yourself?" said Karume.
Saleh explained: "Because of her condition I felt necessary that
I also should see the doctor."
"What has she been infected with, syphilis?" queried Karume.
Saleh in anger retorted: "Now, Mzee, are we insulting each other?
If I addressed you in that sort of language would you like it? This is
my wife!"
Karume could not bear being thus addressed. He was enraged, and took
his stick and wanted to strike at Saleh Saadalla with it. When Saleh saw
that he drew his pistol, but fortunately or unfortunately it was not loaded.
Twala told me when Saleh drew his pistol everyone baked away in fear. The
stick fell from the hand of Karume. When those who were fond of currying
favour from their master saw Saleh had returned the pistol to its
place, and he himself had sat down then the circus began. They pounced
upon Saleh, first grabbing the harmless unloaded pistol from him. When
Karume had regained his breath somewhat he told his Council: "Have you
seen what he wanted to carry out just now in front of you?" Twala told
me there was pandemonia, each one vying with another in seeking to gain
the favour of the Mzee, pronouncing judgment harsher than that of another.
One said Saleh should receive the punishment of death, another that he
be subjected to torture until he died. In short Twala said there was confusion.
At the end of it all, Mzee himself pronounced the sentence of imprisoning
him for ten years and confiscating all his properties.
When Saleh Saadalla was brought in to serve his ten year sentence
I was in prison also serving my ten years as sentenced by Karume, Saleh
Saadalla participating fully in my victimization. The Swahilis have a saying
"Nyani akimaliza miti ya kuirukia hurukia mabega ya bwana wake". (When
the baboon has finished climbing upon all the branches available then he
climbs upon the shoulders of his master.) And so did the Usurper Government
resort to the murdering of its own offsprings having finished with
those of ZNP and ZPPP.
Saleh Saadalla was escorted into the prison by Ibrahim Makungu, Edington
Kisasi and Khamis Darwesh. After having his head shaved clean he was sent
to work in the tailoring section to make prison clothing. At lunch time
he was given his plate of boiled pieces of bitter cassava and tough old
cassava leaves as a vegetable. The honourable minister that first day could
not bring himself to eat that food. I remember one convicted criminal,
"Humber Guy" who was a cook was collecting the plates after meal and noted
that Saleh had not touched a morsel of his food He told Saleh Saadalla:
"Your honour! Why is it that you have not eaten even a little of
your food?"
Saleh answered him: "I am not hungry. I ate a lot in the morning."
The prisoner, Humber Guy told Saleh: "Your honour! Listen, this food
you see here is the foot that you will eat tomorrow, if not tomorrow the
day after, but in the end you will eat it so long as you are imprisoned.
This is the food that you and your colleagues passed and accepted as the
food fit for prisoners. At that time it never occurred to you that it was
possible that one day even you might be a prisoner as you are today. If
this food is all right, why can't you eat it?"
Saleh Saadalla was overwhelmed to be addressed like that by
a person who when Saleh was in authority the man would not even dare come
near him let alone talk to him. Our emotions were mixed between the feeling
that he deserved to be so addressed, and pity for him. Indeed his eyes
were glistening with tears bitterly grieving that he had been brought to
that state by his comrade with whom he had traveled such a long way together.
As a matter of fact at that time he did deserve pity rather than recrimination,
for he was completely helpless.
One day after Saleh had already done some portion of his sentence
we did not find our mate in the morning collecting his breakfast. That
was the end of it. He was not seen that day, and he has never been seen
since. From reliable sources as related by prison guards we learnt that
Saleh Saaadalla had been taken by his fellow "honourables" past midnight
to Chukwani where they shot him and then dumped him into the sea as had
been done to Othman Shariff.
KARUME TURNS AGAINST TWALA
Pursuant to our conversation, Abdul-Aziz Twala told me that to start with
he was one of the favourites of Mzee Karume. He could get from Karume anything
he fancied. without any difficulty. Things began to change when the usurper
government was invited to visit Egypt. Twala said that when he was making
arrangements for traveling allowances for the delegates, he did not allocate
an allowance for Bibi Fatma, wife of Karume, because she was merely accompanying
her husband for a tour, and was not an official delegate.. When Karume
saw that his wife had not been allotted her travel allowance he asked the
Minister of State, Aboud Jumbe, about it. Aboud phoned Twala, the Minister
of Finance:
"Why have you forgotten to allocate travel allowance for Bibi
Fatma Karume?"
"No I have not forgotten" he replied, "I saw that she was not among
the official delegates. But if you think that she deserves an allowance,
I will allocate it to her."
Twala told me soon after this conversation he received another call
from the secretary of the Minister of State telling him:
"You are told by Mzee (Karume) that you need not allot an allowance
for Bibi Fatma. He himself will do so from his own personal pocket."
Twala said that from that statement he deduced that he had trodden
on the tender corn. of Mzee Karume, and indeed that was so. From that time
relations deteriorated, said Twala. After the return of the delegation
from Egypt Twala was never received with a pleasant countenance by Karume.
Twala told me of another incident which further disturbed the atmosphere
between Karume and Twala. This one took place when Mwalimu Nyerere attended
a sitting of the Usurpers' Council.. Mwalimu criticized the frittering
of foreign currency for the purchase in large quantities of things like
sweets, toffee, chocolate, chewing gum etc. These things were not essential
at a time when there were essential goods for which foreign currency
should ;be used. Twala said when Karume saw how critical Nyerere was he
turned to me: "Honourable Minister of Finance, do you hear that? Do not
fritter away money!" Twala said that on that day he could no longer remain
silent. He replied: "It is true that it was I who instructed the Minister
of Commerce and Industries, Sheikh Shaaban Soud Mponda, to import those
things, but I did so only after receiving instructions from your
office ordering me to release a definite amount of money to purchase those
items of goods from East Germany. Now, Mzee, what is my fault, there?"
Twala told me that after he had said that he saw Karume's face change visibly
in anger. He was panting like a cow. When Nyerere saw the situation so
delicate he tried to change the subject. After the meeting Nyerere returned
to Dar-es-Salaam. The next day, said Twala, as soon as he arrived at his
office he received a telephone call from the Minister of State saying that
there would be an emergency meeting at the People's Palace and all were
to attend. Twala told me that as soon as he heard this he nearly wetted
his trousers! When he arrived at the meeting he saw some of his colleagues
did not look kindly at him, and everyone was avoiding him. When Mzee Karume
entered and from the way he looked, Twala knew that it would be tough going
today. Karume opened the meeting saying: "I have called this meeting all
of a sudden today so that we may discuss and consider what was said yesterday
by Mwalimu Nyerere here, and how Honourable Twala succeeded in exposing
me and leaving me naked in front of my fellow elder. I swear to you that
I could not sleep at all. I stayed the whole night wondering how Mwalimu
was thinking of me. Did I not know that it was I who had given instruction
for the importation of those goods? I know; but because what Mwalimu said
had weight I saw that it was prudent to put the blame on to my child, so
that I, an old man, should have my reputation saved, I did not know
that it would be he who would expose me to ridicule."
Twala told me Karume then began to relate in the days gone by how
well behaved were the children in front of their elders. Karume said: "Some
times it happened that an elderly person broke wind in the company of his
fellow-elders. Any child would be accused of the incident, and that child
would not deny it even though he did not do it. After the gathering and
everyone had dispersed that child would be given some money to go and buy
a candy or anything he fancied. And that was what I was expecting my boy
would do for me. But he has disgraced me all the more. It would have been
better had I remained silent rather than speak."
Twala told
me that when Karume was thus speaking he noticed his colleagues were shaking
their heads denoting how deeply wounded they were by what had taken place.
After speaking Karume asked his council:: "What is to be done to a young
man like this?" Twala told me that not one of his colleagues pleaded mercy
for him. Everyone who spoke condemned him all the more so that Karume should
see him as an evil person. After some time, Twala said, Mzee Karume spoke:
"Today I forgive you, Twala. The punishment I give you is to remove you
from the Ministry of Finance. Tomorrow go and take over the Ministry of
Health. As from today the Ministry of Finance will be under me."
Twala said that only after hearing this verdict could he take a normal
breath. For all the time that Mzee was speaking he saw death in front of
his eyes. He went on saying that he saw clearly that what had happened
to Othman Shariff and Saleh Saadalla would happen to him. He said that
he knew that if he gained a reprieve it would be imprisonment where he
was sure it would never end well. He said: "I left there that day
with no happiness nor pleasure."
THE END OF TWALA
The removal of Abdul-Aziz Twala from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry
of Health heralded his end. Twala said when he was sent to the Ministry
of Health his junior minister was Rashid Abdulla (Mamba). Twala said that
the two of them used to meet every morning to discuss their work. One day,
Twala told me, Rashid Abdulla was late to come to the office. It
was about ten that he came and straight away went to the office of Twala.
When he arrived he told him: "Honourable sir!! As from now I am the Minister
of Health, and you collect your personal things and go home. Take
everything of your own, and leave everything of the government. Leave even
the car. This is what I have been told from the State House. If you have
any question ask them."
Twala told me that he was not surprised by what he was told, for
he knew well the ways of his government, but he wanted only to ascertain
the truth of what he had been told. He phoned the State House inquiring.
He was told: "What Honourable Rashid Abdulla told you is exactly correct.
Pack up and go!" Twala said he collected his things and handed over
the keys of the car to the new Minister of Health. He then walked to his
house. Fortunately he was then living at Mnazi Mmoja which was not far
from what had been his office.
Within two or three days after his dismissal from the ministry Ibrahim
Makungu, the head of security came to him and told him. "I have come to
ask you to give me your pistol and all the ammunition which you have been
given. Also you are to hand over to me your diplomatic passport.." Twala
went inside and brought him all that he wanted. Shortly after that he one
day saw the Chief of the Torture Prison ("Kwa Ba-Mkwe"), the Honourable
Mandera arriving at his house at 4 in the afternoon. Mandera told him:
"Your fellow-elders have ordered me to come and take you to them
so that you may discuss the question of your passport." After surrendering
his diplomatic passport, Twala had submitted to the Immigration Department
an application for an ordinary passport.
Twala told me that the arrival of Mandera and being told what he
was told foreboded nothing to him but evil. He went in and informed his
wife about the whole thing. At that time Twala's mother was in the house
for his wife was expecting delivery any time. After talking to his wife,
Twala followed Mandera. Shortly afterwards Twala found himself at
"Ba Mkwe'" Prison. His journey to meet with his fellow elders ended there.
Twala told me that he was lucky that he was not subjected to torture, except
that he was confined without having committed any crime. After staying
there for a time he was sentenced to ten years imprisonment as from the
3rd of May, 1969. It was as a result of that imprisonment that we came
to be together and he related to me his story which I now relate in this
little book.
It was customary from time to time for so-called "political prisoners"
to be brought from "Ba-Mkwe". It happened at one time that among
the prisoners so brought were Idrisa Majura and Twala. Idrisa and Twala
were great pals since the days when they were in the Teacher Training College
together at Beit-el-Ras. Idrisa was with us and we used to chat together
after work and having our meal together, that is to say Idrisa, Twala and
I used to be together much of our spare time. After a time Twala introduced
in our conversation a suggestion that we should plot to escape from prison.
We discussed the plan in great detail, on what was possible and what was
not possible within the conditions prevailing at the time. On my part,
not out of cowardice, I failed to appreciate the practicability of
some of the steps which were proposed to be taken. As a result of that
Twala told me: "I see that you are still restrained by the ZNP type of
cowardice. But I tell you that we will not remain here being killed gradually.
We will get out come what may." From that day I noticed that they were
avoiding me somewhat some of the time.
One day in the morning I saw both of them standing in the queue of
those wanting to see the "doctor". To speak the truth it did not occur
to me that there was anything unusual. I thought it quite normal,
for often would prisoners report to the "doctor" to get some reprieve from
the daily toil. Other prisoners, including myself, were sent off to the
fields to cultivate. As we were cultivating in the field at about midday
a whistle was blown ordering us all to collect together. I saw the guards
whispering to one other. After we had been checked and found correct we
were escorted to the Langoni camp. When we arrived we found some policemen
with their dogs, and also some soldiers. Mandera was also present. We were
shocked. After being counted by the warden in charge of the quarter-guard
we were given our meal and then locked in our sheds without being allowed
to go to the toilet. Each guard looked more angry than another. The cooks
and some of the guards whispered to us that Twala and Majura had bolted.
God Almighty! I was in tenterhooks for two reasons. First as I had
been with them much of the time, talking together and even eating together
I feared that the authorities might think that I knew of their plan to
escape from prison. That indeed was exactly what they thought. Secondly
I was afraid that if they failed in their attempt and got caught they might
under torture implicate me as having shared in their plot. I was
nervous indeed, knowing the type of government that was. At about seven
in the evening the door of our shed was opened and Sergeant Buesha stood
at the door calling "Aman Thani! Get out with your kirago (coir mat)"
My heart stopped beating. I saw the calamity befalling me. However I put
up a brave face. I walked out pretending as if I were not afraid of anything.
When I reached the quarter-guard I saw the prison car covered with
tarpaulin. This car had me from the central prison with prison guards and
their officer, a young Zanzibari of Asian origin, called Hassanali. By
this time I was well acquainted with all prisons and members of their staff.
All prisons had become mine, I was no longer a stranger. anywhere.
On arrival I was put in that car and driven to the central prison where
I was sent straight to the cells reserved for condemned prisoners i.e.
those prisoners who were condemned to be killed. The guard there was a
young man from Makunduchi. That young man was sorry that I had been brought
to that section. He said to me : "May Allah help them escape from this
country in peace, and all of you who are unjustly imprisoned without any
offense, may Almighty God get you out whether they like it or not." I was
amazed to hear a young man like that saying those words, and he working
for that government of usurpers at that time and in such a place. All that
I could say was AMIN.
I did not stay in that condemned cell for long. Soon I saw
a prison sergeant accompanied by two guards appear. On their arrival without
saying a word the Sergeant clamped handcuffs on me and I was escorted to
"Ba Mkwe". There I saw the boss Mandera awaiting me. Mandera told me:
"Aman! You know why you have been brought here?'
"I don't know" said I.
"You know that Twala and Majura have escaped prison?"
I said: "I know from what I heard the guards talking about it after
we had been returned to the camp."
He told me: "So you have been brought here because Twala and Majura
were your close companions Therefore you will probably tell us where we
might get them. There is no doubt that you know very well of their plan."
I told him: "Do you think I like to remain in prison? If I knew of
their plan to escape why didn't I go with them? Or do you think that Twala
and Majura could trust me enough to communicate with me such secret plans?
Whatever the case I have my reasons for not trusting them, and they, undoubtedly,
must have their reasons for not trusting me."
When I was telling Mandera all this a guard came and whispered something
to Mandera., who immediately left after ordering the guard to take me to
a cell. When I was put in the cell I met a person who was neither of this
world nor the next. He had been so tortured that he could only groan
and moan. His face was horribly swollen, distorted and lacerated, his body
covered with congealed blood. He could not speak, nor could he move. It
was after three days and nights that I was able to know who he was, first
by guessing and later it was after inquiring of the guards that I
was able to make sure who he was. I had known this gentleman for a very
long time, long before political activities in Zanzibar. During the days
of political activities he was a branch secretary of the ZNP, a staunch
supporter of the party and a great patriot. But because of the way he had
been tortured I could hardly recognize him until I was told. He did not
take long after this. One morning God took away His creature from
the clutches of the barbarians who had usurped authority in these unfortunate
islands.
When they saw he had died two people lifted him like a bag of cassava,
one holding the legs and one the arms. Such is the way human beings
were treated by these people. A man is imprisoned, is subjected to torture,
he is left to suffer terribly and die, and then he is thrown away like
any rotting carcass. This is what was being done by the fascists
and "progressives" who came to remove injustice and bring about equality.
This old man was Mzee Mwinyi, a native of Shakani or Maungani in Zanzibar.
He was one of the earliest members of the ZNP. When I came out of prison
in 1972 I heard that this martyr for freedom after his death was taken
to the central hospital. His people were then informed of his death, as
if indeed he had died in hospital!
I was kept at "Ba Mkwe" for as long as they liked, and then taken
back to Langoni to continue with my imprisonment.
As a matter of fact Abdul-Aziz Twala told me a great deal about the
way their government was being run. I find it difficult to put down on
paper some of the things that he told me. All that he told me proves what
we knew from the beginning, that indeed this was no government at all.
It was merely a gang of murderers, expropriators of people's properties,
houses, plantations, even wives, children, and people's sisters.
If the President of the country officially kept a pimp paid from public
funds to procure women to the President for his immoral satisfaction, what
justice could one hope from such a government? To demonstrate that all
the leaders of that government were of the same calibre as their chief,
Karume, after his assassination, that pimp did not lose his job, but indeed
he was rewarded with an important and responsible post in the navy in the
island of Pemba. Thus is iniquity rewarded in the so-called government
of the people.
