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EDITORIAL
By officially extending diplomatic recognition to the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the government of South Africa has taken a courageous step that will certainly push forward the struggle of the Sahrawi people for emancipation from Moroccan occupation and oppression. The people of the Western Sahara were robbed of the freedom that they expected to gain following the 1976 departure of Spanish colonial rulers from their country. No sooner had the Spaniards left the Western Sahara than Moroccan troops moved in as the new colonizers of the territory. As the international community did nothing to quell the aggression, the Sahrawians embarked on a protracted war of resistance that, so far, resulted in the liberation of parts of their country.
After contemplating the idea of giving recognition to the Sahrawi republic as far back as 1994, the South African leadership has finally come out in support of self-determination for the Sahrawi people. Some sub-Saharan African countries may follow suit. South Africa's action should spur Arab countries all of which, with the exception of Algeria, have supported Morocco’s annexation of the Western Sahara, to reconsider their stand regarding the Western Sahara.
South Africa’s decision to establish full diplomatic ties with the Sahrawi republic, may eventually pave the way for the former Spanish colony to join the community of sovereign nations. If that happens, it will leave Somaliland as the only remaining case of self-determination in Africa that needs to be addressed. One can only hope that South Africa would dispaly toward Somaliland, the same courage it had shown toward the Western Sahara, and recognize Somaliland as it had recognized the Western Sahara.
Somaliland’s right to self-determination and international recognition has so far been blocked essentially by two countries: Egypt and Italy. Egypt and its Arab allies believe that Somaliland’s withdrawal from the 1960 union with ex-Italian Somalia would compromise its Nile strategy that calls for the existence of a bellicose, militarily strong and united Somali state to the east and southeast of Ethiopia. Italy which always seemed to find glory in being referred to as the former colonial power in Somalia, thinks Somaliland's independence would diminish its neo-colonial aspirations.
Regrettably, only a few countries have questioned the motives of Egypt and Italy in seeking to keep Somaliland hostage to their fantasies. No African government south of the Sahara has ever challenged the double standards exercised by Arab governments for demanding self-determination for Palestinians while denying the same right to Somalilanders and others.
By doing what is right toward the Sahrawi people and not bowing to pressure from Arab countries, South Africa has shown that it is an independent power. Extending diplomatic recognition to Somaliland, right after having recognized the Western Sahara, will reinforce South Africa's stature as a major power that makes its own decisions.
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