‘We’ve discussed this with the Foreign Office. HMG is willing to increase its commitments to Karatandu,’ the Voice said.

‘It will need a big increase.’

‘Which is why we’re prepared to treble the current budget. We’ll also send in training teams to bring your forces up to scratch, provide them with state-of-the-art weaponry. You’ll be at the front of the queue from now on. Whatever you need, you’ll get it.’

Seguma tapped his cane against his foot as he mulled the offer. ‘It would have been better if you had made such a generous proposal before,’ he said. ‘None of this would have happened.’

‘We’re fully aware of that, sir.’

‘And why should I believe you? After all these years of broken promises?’

‘It’s in our mutual interest to fully support you, Mr President. The foreign secretary wishes to make that point very clear. He sincerely hopes for a close relationship between our countries in the future.’

The president waved a hand at the laptop screen. ‘If he considers me such a good friend, he can tell me himself.’

‘I’m sure he will look forward to doing that, sir. Once this situation with the Russians has been resolved.’

Seguma stared at a spot on the wall. As if he was squinting at a rainbow in the distance and trying to figure out what was at the end of it: a pot of gold, or something a lot less promising.

‘You won’t lose any of your privileges,’ the Voice continued. ‘You’ll get to keep your overseas properties, your Swiss bank accounts and the rest of it. But we can’t let you retire in luxury, sir. Not with the Russians knocking on the door.’

‘And if I agree to your proposal? What then?’

‘We’ll sign off on the deployment of the UKSF teams to Karatandu at once. They’ll nip the rebellion in the bud, before the enemy can gain control of the infrastructure. In the meantime, we’ll fly you via private jet to Libreville, Gabon. A team of diplomats will be sent over from London. They’ll accompany you.’

‘I should stay here,’ Seguma protested. ‘Where it is safer.’

‘You can’t, sir.’

‘Why not?’

‘Optics. It’s not a good look if you’re photographed sitting in a luxury apartment in Monaco, while your own soldiers are busy fighting a rebel army.’

‘Yes. Yes, I suppose you’re right,’ he replied glumly.

‘This is the right move, sir. Flying to Gabon will put pressure on the rebels. You’ll be a hundred miles across the border from your capital, holding press conferences, issuing statements, projecting an image of strength. It’ll boost morale on the ground.’

‘I’ll need protection.’

‘We’ll arrange that, sir.’

‘General Kakuba will have to be dealt with as well. He has many devoted followers. My regime won’t be secure as long as he is free.’

‘Of course,’ the Voice said.