Gaye Davis
SOUTH Africa has not yet begun to wrestle with the question of whether the country should become a safe haven for, and even help, exiled movements fighting for democracy in their home countries — but the issue is at least on the
Members of the Nigerian grouping Democratic Alternative met members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs in Cape Town recently and, in a separate meeting, senior officials from the Department of Foreign
While discussions with Foreign Affairs officials focused on shedding light on the complex political situation in Nigeria, members of the group raised specific requests for assistance. They made it clear they did not want to be treated as refugees seeking political asylum, which can involve burdensome bureaucratic procedures and other limitations. Instead, they wanted concrete help, such as in securing offices, being granted multiple-entry visas to ease travel, and being allowed to exchange views with government officials and
African National Congress MP Raymond Suttner, who chairs the foreign affairs committee, said the Nigerians’ situation bore similarities to that of the ANC in exile, but that a difference lay in the character of their struggle. They were not insurrectionists but were pursuing a campaign for civil liberties they were prevented from promoting within their own country. “Do we have a duty to offer to assist? It seems to me we do,” he said.
But how — and where — does one draw the line? Any number of African countries’ domestic situations could prompt movements in exile to seek help in South Africa. In one sense, this is a compliment to our new democracy and the government’s stated commitment to promoting human rights. But what criteria should be applied before assistance is granted? And, more importantly, what impact will this aid have on our relations with our neighbours and countries elsewhere on the continent?
“This could be a bit of a challenge if people start wanting to open offices,” said ANC MP Rob Davies. “It could lead to a series of complaints from the countries concerned. We haven’t confronted this in any major way yet and will have to.
“We’re beginning to see it happen, so we could begin to develop general principles that would guide this. We have a general commitment to democracy and human rights in our foreign policy, but we have not yet in a systematic way begun to address the principles underlying it.”
Other departments, such as Home Affairs, would also be affected, so there would be a need for a co-ordinated approach, Davies said. “It’s mostly a foreign affairs issue, but if the phenomenon becomes more significant, then other departments will have an interest.”