You are an adviser to a general in a large African country, a former British colony whose boundaries were drawn by the British. He has just taken power in a largely bloodless military coup. The previous government although democratically elected had been incredibly corrupt. There are three main ethnic groups. and many smaller ones.

The previous democratically elected government had come mainly from the largest ethnic group; which makes up about 35% of the population and hails from the North of the country near the coast. They are largely Muslim and make up a disproportionate share of the rank and file of the military.

The smallest of the three main ethnic groups; which makes up about 15% of the population; is largely Christian and originates in the South East near the coast. They are the most highly educated group and occupy a disproportionate share of the rank and file positions in the bureaucracy.

They are much more spread out throughout the country then the other groups. The third ethnic group; about 25% of the population; has more folks who still adhere to traditional religions; and has been largely unrepresented in either the military or the bureaucracy.

The odd exception; a holdover from colonial times, is that the elite troops have always been almost exclusively made up of folks from this group. You and the general who is now in charge are members of this ethnic group and of the elite forces; and it is these elite forces that engineered the coup.

The deposed politician and his closest followers have retreated from the coastal capital to the biggest city in their home region and aro trying to lobby international supporters and military and political leaders who hail from their own ethnic group to try and get power hack, either through pressure for new elections or by force.

Meanwhile members of the more educated group who are spread out throughout the country have begun to be the targets of violence; and their leaders are talking about independence.

What is your advice to the general?

What are your biggest challenges? Is violence inevitable here?