|
News and Information
THE CAPRIVI ZIPFEL (STRIP) AFRICA’S LAST COLONY.
| June 1, 2014 |
 THE CAPRIVI ZIPFEL (STRIP) AFRICA’S LAST COLONY.
The African continent has seen the worst in terms of colonialism. Many people and Nations believed that, after the last five countries in Southern Africa attained their independence, Africa was free. Yet in many and even the newly independent countries colonialism evolved and transformed from its original status. Probing the question of whether Africa is free reminds us of the late Kwame Nkrumah’s words “no African will be free until all Africans are free." It is imperative to point out that Namibia under the SWAPO government mastered the colonial tactics to which they currently are perfecting on the Caprivian nation.
Of recent Mr. Pohamba while addressing the people at Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region on Africa Day, May 25, 2014 was quoted as saying that “with the exception of Western Sahara, the whole of Africa is forever free.” We fail to understand the reasoning behind his claim. Only dictators, colonialists and the ignorant could stomach such utter nonsense. When countries like Angola (Portugal/settler), Mozambique (Portugal/settler), Namibia (South Africa/settler), South Africa (Holland/settler), Zimbabwe (British/settler) and the small Portuguese colony of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde in West Africa were regarded as the last colonies in Africa, Western Sahara was not included on the list but now even though powerful countries’ interests are somewhat not in line with the territory, soon it will reach its destiny.
Today countries like Eretria and South Sudan emerged victoriously to become independent republics. Western Sahara has been under Morocco for many years and soon it will be free. Namibia knows that the Caprivi Strip is a land and territory belonging to Caprivians and not to Namibia. Although there are other nations within SADC seeking independence, Caprivians are convinced that their case is that of a forgotten United Nation obligation.
Since the OAU and now the AU primary aims and objectives is to rid the continent of the remaining vestiges of colonialism and apartheid; to promote solidarity amongst the African people; to coordinate cooperation, to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states, and to promote international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations. It therefore has the obligation to resolve conflicts in Africa including SADC.
Meanwhile, just as settler colonial governments responded to the non-violent constitutional demands of African nationalist parties with laws that banned all political protests, arrest, torture and imprison the leaders of the banned African political parties, Namibia is walking the same route, it has banned the United Democratic Party (UDP), arrested, tortured and indefinitely imprisoned Caprivians. SWAPO of Namibia has not only taken Western Caprivi but has changed the name of Caprivi to Zambezi for political expedience. Character assassins and killing of Caprivians has become the order of the day in the Caprivi Strip. Is that not colonialism?
While all these are happening they have made sure that Caprivians are the poorest of the poor. Poverty in the Caprivi Strip is a living story as people are forced to scavenge food from garbage sites in Katima Mulilo. Something that is uncalled for. The paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty, and scarcity in the midst of abundance is being played by SWAPO government that has and is doing nothing to improve the lives of Caprivians. Question is; for how long should the international community watch Caprivians suffer under the hands of SWAPO of Namibia? While these suffering continue, Namibia has the guts to go and claim Caprivians in Botswana’s Dukwi refugee camp or face forced repatriation, whereas refugees in Namibia are given options to return to their countries of origin and those remaining will be given humanitarian assistance by both government and UNHCR for unknown period of time.
On the other hand, while Namibia is campaigning for the return of Caprivians in Dukwi refugee camp, news circulating is that they have recruited assassins to go and kill Caprivians in Botswana. If there is peace in the Caprivi Strip, why then does SWAPO hunt the United Democratic Party (UDP) leaders and supporters? Mighty is short-lived whereas rights last for eternity.
It is crystal that the UN General Assembly considered the important role of the United Nations in assisting the movement for independence in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories. As stated by the General Assembly in 1960, the people of the Caprivi believe that the process of liberation is irresistible and irreversible and that, in order to avoid serious crises, an end must be put to colonialism and all its manifestations and practices of segregation and discrimination associated therewith.
Namibia must respect the right of Caprivians to choose the form of government under which they will live; and they will wish to see sovereign rights of self-government restored to them as they have for so long been forcibly deprived off.
It is within this realm that we urge the international community to not only intervene, but bring to a logical conclusion the political conflict between Namibia and Caprivians.
UDP Bulela Sicaba Sa Utwa!!!!
Chrispin Mutoiwa
UDP Secretary for Information
Mutcrio@yahoo.com
|
Source: United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) |
|
|
| Support Caprivi Freedom |
Fill out the form below to become a member of this site and receive our regular newsletter.
|
|
