Otekian independence movement
The Otekian independence movement (Luziycan: Independencia vizheniye i Oteki, Namorese: ????, Geadish: ????) refers to a broad coalition of organizations and political parties that support independence for the region of Txotai (which it calls Oteki). It is also known as the Txotai independence movement or the Otekian separatist movement. Although the name suggests that all groups belonging to the movement support independence from Namor, the media has sometimes included groups that support devolution or "independence in practice" as part of the movement.
Namorese media use the term Txotai separatist forces (Тщотаи Фенлесили) to refer to the movement and its supporters.
History
First independence movement
The earliest traces of the movement goes back to the late 19th century, when Txotai was under Hào Namorese rule. There was a significant number of Otekians who supported independence as a means of ending Namorese religious persecution against Lutheran Catholics. Some didn't want to break way from Namor and remain sovereign, but become a state of Luziyca instead, stressing the fraternal bond between Otekians and Luziycans, both Slavic peoples, like Katranjians and Luziycans.
The independence movement gained momentum during the First Namo-Luziycan War. Pro-Luziycan separatists managed to get many Otekians in the region to support the Luziycan military effort by portraying the war as a religious duty. Luziyca took control of Txotai and established the First Republic of Oteki in 1901 after a referendum, with 68% of the electorate turning out: out of those, 75% voted for independence of Oteki from Luziyca.
Because de facto independence was already achieved, the independence movement shifted its focus to convincing the world to recognize the First Republic of Oteki as a separate and independent nation, instead of being a part of Namor, with several nations, such as Luziyca, (TBC), and Katranjiev recognizing Otekian sovereignty.
Second independence movement
The 1950s to the early 21st century saw the emergence of the "second independence movement." This movement saw increased militarism and the rise of exile groups.
Liberationist Namor took control of Txotai in 1950, abruptly ending the First Republic of Oteki. This was opposed by many who feared Namorese rule would cripple Otekian identity and piousness. The establishment of a semi-independent Otekian Self-Administration meant that the independence movement was tolerated by authorities for some time, and as a result it thrived, setting the foundation for the 1966-70 Txotai rebellion and the Second Republic of Oteki. Various groups supporting independence such as Gregory Kudyev's Knights of Saint Luther popped up and encouraged violence as a means of overthrowing Namorese rule. East Luziyca increased support to the separatists as they were considered efficacious in deterring the Namorese government.
When Namor suppressed the rebellion and the deposed the Second Republic of Oteki, hundreds of thousands of Otekians fled overseas and settled in many neighboring countries such as Luziyca. Many of those who fled became involved in continued opposition to the Namorese government. The Otekian government-in-exile (OGIE) was founded - it became an observer in the Esquarian Union and was recognized by East Luziyca as the representative of the Otekian people.
The OGIE built schools, churches and houses for Otekians living in exile. At the same time, it was notorious for sponsoring terrorism in Namor and elsewhere, encouraging attacks on the Namorese military and civilians. It actively promoted Christian fundamentalism.
Third independence movement
Some scholars say that since early 2014 a "third independence movement" emerged to replace the second movement. According to some, the death of Knights commander Breuvi Chikmurdof and Jason Shumev's subsequent dissolution of the Knights marked the end of the second movement; to others, the third movement began during the 2014-15 schism in which the Otekian National Coalition - led by Demoteki - broke away from the OGIE under Valeriy Anisim, causing an official divide within the movement.
The third movement has been characterized by less religious extremism and radicalism in general and by its fragmented state. The formation of the ONC is seen by some to be a challenge to the OGIE's historically undisputed authority over the movement.
Analysts are divided on how the third independence movement may impact the conflict between Namor and Otekian separatists over Txotai. While some say it could become more moderate and reshape world opinion of the movement for the better, others say the decrease in radicalism may lead to exile groups compromising with the Namorese government to reach a solution other than complete independence, or in the next generation of Otekians becoming uninterested in independence, leading to the decline of the independence movement altogether.
Groups
- Otekian government-in-exile (OGIE)
- Otekian Christian Party (OCP)
- Novi Luziyca Party (NLP)
- Holy Defense Forces (HDF)
- Otekian National Coalition (ONC)
- Democratic Oteki (Demoteki)
- Otekian People's Association (OPA)
- Campaign for a Free Oteki