| “ | Start a war, fan its flames, create victims... Then save them, train them... And feed them back onto the battlefield. It's a perfectly logical system. In this world of ours, conflict never ends, and neither does our purpose... our raison d'etre. | „ |
| ~ Big Boss explains Zanzibar Land's ideology. |
Zanzibar Land is a nation-state in the Metal Gear universe led by Big Boss, established as a continuation of his original soldier nation, Outer Heaven. They are the main antagonists of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
History[]
Before the fall of the Soviet Union, Zanzibar was a one the union's autonomous zones. It is said to have been landlocked between the former Soviet Union, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan (likely located around real world Badakhshan Province and/or Pamir Mountains.)
Following the secession of the Baltic states and chaos in the post-Soviet Russia, the leaders of Zanzibar autonomous zone were emboldened to proclaim independence. Subsequently, this lead to action by Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States against it, resulting in a war.
Big Boss became aware of this war, and with the survivors of the 1995 Outer Heaven uprising and newly acquired mercenaries, they joined the Zanzibar side of the war. Because of the heavy presence of mercenaries, the conflict become known as the "Mercenary War". Ultimately, with the help of Big Boss and his followers, Zanzibar Land won its sovereignty and declared independence in 1997.
Big Boss wanted Zanzibar Land to be the culmination of the Outer Heaven movement, and thus made it a home for all soldiers, even former enemies. War orphans were also taken in to become "fine soldiers" themselves.
Big Boss in Zanzibar Land, as seen in ''Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots''.
Zanzibar Land soon began fortifying its military arsenal, raiding nuclear disposal sites across the world to obtain nuclear weapons that were still intact. The nation-state soon began a conquest of its neighboring countries at will, marking its growth into a world superpower. With Metal Gear D as created by Dr Madnar, and an army comprised of mercenaries, Zanzibar Land became one of the world's only nuclear powers at a time of disarmament and peace.
Metal Gear 2[]
In December 1999, Zanzibar Land kidnapped the biologist Dr. Marv, who had developed OILIX, a much needed new fuel, and planned to hold the world hostage by controlling the supply of oil, along with the threat of nuclear war. This prompted Solid Snake to be sent in to rescue him. Several mercenaries fought Snake, and some, such as Black Ninja and Gray Fox, knew him when they were on the same side. Gray Fox would later attempt to kill Snake with Metal Gear D, but it was destroyed. After Snake seemingly killed Big Boss, Zanzibar Land troops chased after him and Holly, but were eventually killed by their rescue helicopter, and Big Boss's regime soon collapsed.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- According to the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots novelisation, Zanzibar Land was originally known as Tselinoyarsk, the setting of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the first chronological appearance of Big Boss.
- Many of the soldiers and mercenaries have a cult-like worship of the nation and Big Boss, with soldiers standing to attention for the full duration of it's national anthem. and many of the mercenaries, including former enemies such as Kyle Schneider speak with awe of Big Boss.
- In a way, it is not suprising, considering even since from 1984, the Diamond Dogs - the predecessors to both Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land - held Big Boss to a Big Brother-like esteem.
