Kohatu War
The Kohatu War (Oan: Te pakanga o nga Moutere Kohatu), also known as the War of the Kohatu Isles was an armed conflict between the National Liberation Movement and the Diamond Authority, with the involvement of the Oan Isles in 2017. The war was presaged by a rebellion of agate miners in Akatepa led by Lazuli who were arrested by the Diamond Authority. The National Liberation Movement, then an underground movement calling for democracy asked Opal (Papa), Lazulu's wife, to lead the cause in his absence by senior NLM leader Moissanite. During the Cyclone Mable disaster, the Oan Isles sent humanitarian aid and disaster relief to the Kohatu Isles, but used that mission to syphon funds and military equipment to the NLM. After the NLM rebelled on Jewelica Island and took that, the Oan Isles came out in support of the Liberation Movement. The Diamond Authority cut off diplomatic ties with the Oan Isles and expelled their businesses and citizens.
The Oan Isles then recognised the NLM as the legitimate government of Jewelica Island. The Diamond Authority allegedly abandoned a prison where political dissidents were being held, which was a violation of a treaty that the Diamond Authority had signed with the Oan Isles. The Oan Isles used this as a pretext to invade the main island of Gemica and overthrew the Diamond Authority under the command of Captain Haone. Following which, a referendum was held asking the citizens of Gemica if they want to become part of the Oan Isles. They voted yes, and Gemica was renamed to the Kohatu Isles. They became an Autonomous territory of the Oan Isles. The NLM was disbanded and Opal was elected as the new Chief Minister of the Kohatu Isles. Shortly after, it was revealed that Oan geologists had discovered large deposits of undersea natural gas and they partnered with the Royal Caven Petroleum Company of Peregrinia to exploit these resources. A sovereign wealth fund was established to take over the Oan portion of the operation and use those profits to improve the lives of the Kohatu people.
Background
Gemica was a small independent island nation located in the Caven Sea. It was ruled by the Diamond Authority, an authoritarian one party state whose economic relief on the exportation of raw gemstones. The island was largely isolated from the world and heavily relied on the Oan Isles for diplomatic and economic support. Nevertheless, the Oan Isles struggled to impose meaningful reforms to bring about a democratic order. Moreover, the deep intertwining of business and economic interests and the lack of public knowledge about Gemica and their situation, undermined efforts and interest in pushing for greater political interference. Moreover, throughout 2017, the Oan Isles had been preoccupied with the Auroran-Pacific War, thus the subject of Gemica authoritarianism was not in the public discourse. Nevertheless, the cultural impact of the Oan Isles was felt. The NLM, inspired by the movement led by the incumbent Prime Minister Maui Uye-Ahua for Konoan autonomy, organized and raised public support for the liberation movement. Leaders arose, such as Moissanite and Lazuli, who had to keep their operations hidden and far from the government's eye.