A CALL TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA TO ABONDON THE CREATION OF APARTHIED STYLE
BANTUSTANS FOR SOMALIA PETITION
The Government of South Africa, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma recently commissioned a Report on whether to recognize
the northern region of Somalia (Somaliland) as a sovereign.
In the Report, law advisers from the South African Department of Foreign
Affairs support Somaliland’s argument for independence. As the Report writes
“It is undeniable that Somaliland does indeed qualify for statehood, and it is
incumbent upon the international community to recognise it.”
The South African government lawyers agree that “any efforts to deny or delay
would not only put the international community at the risk of ignoring the most
stable region in the Horn [of Africa], it would impose untold hardship upon the
people of Somaliland due to the denial of foreign assistance that recognition
entails.”
The South African government law advisers pondering about the practicability of
bestowing sovereignty to Somaliland wrote: “The interest of world peace and
stability require that, where possible, the division or fragmentation of
existing states should be managed peacefully and by negotiation. But where this
is not possible, as is the case with Somalia, international law accepts that
the interests of justice may prevail over the principle of territorial
integrity,”
If the Minister heeds this advice it will lead to the creation of five (5 )
Somali Bantustan-like countries; Somaliland and Puntland, to name just but two.
The advice given to the South African government is contrary to the UN, Africa
Union, Arab league, Non Allied Movement , OIC of which South Africa is a
member, categorically state “that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Somalia is sacrosanct”. Hence closing the floodgate of Bantustans in Somalia
and its ripple effect in other African countries.
If the Minister accept such advice, the move will undoubtedly undermine the
South African propelled African Renaissance and the NEPAD initiative that many
Africans see as the only hope for Africa and Africans.
We urgently urge the Minister and the ANC Government not to heed this advice
which will reintroduce tribal based fragmentation and apartheid Bantustans in
the region through the back door.
We the undersigned Somalis and other Africans plead with the Minister and the
ANC government to reject Bantustanization of Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
Sincerely,