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Xenophobia against the Somali Community
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The spate of targeted bloody killings and murders of innocent Somali refugees in Cape Town and other areas in South Africa has generated a feeling of insecurity and fear among Somali immigrants. Reports from reliable sources confirm that a series of armed attacks over the past ten months claimed the lives of many Somalis most of whom are owners of small businesses. According to the reports, it is estimated that more than forty Somalis have been murdered, while many others including women and children have been wounded. Shops and other small businesses owned by the victims, have been robbed or indiscriminately destroyed by violent mobs and armed gangs allied to the South African business community.
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| Hadith Haji Adam Osman, 26, a Somali shopkeeper, ponders the remains of his shop, gutted by an anti-Somali mob. |
The tragic irony is that refugees who fled war torn Somalia in search of safety and a better life in South Africa are now overwhelmed with fear and intimidation. For them this is a grim reminder of their pain and agony they suffered amidst the reign of terror perpetrated by the Somali warlords and their militias.
While tension and conflict continues to escalate, the police and other law enforcement agencies have turned deaf ears to the plight of the Somali refugees. Even more serious, the attitude of the government authorities is one of indifference, inaction and lack of concern. Under the provisions of refugee law and international conventions, South Africa as host country is legally responsible for the security and protection of refugees within its territory. UN agencies like UNHCR, concerned NGO's and other humanitarian agencies have reacted strongly and expressed their indignation and concern about the plight of Somali immigrants, most of them refugees. Some noted eminent US officials used their good offices to call on the South African government to intervene in this grave humanitarian situation and bring the accused criminals to justice. Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota should be specially commended for the formal representations he made to the South African Government stressing the need and urgency “to develop and implement a plan that will help ensure the safety and freedom of Somali immigrants in South Africa. “Government intervention at the highest level is imperative in order to successfully tackle this serious conflict before the situation gets out of hand or escalates into ethnic confrontation with grave implications on stability and social harmony among various communities in South Africa.
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| Thabo Mbeki - President of the Republic of Soth Africa |
This is why we believe that the government of South Africa should act immediately in fulfillment of its legal obligation to ensure the security and protection of Somali immigrants in its territory consistent with the norms and standards set out by relevant international conventions. It is to be recalled that in his letter which appeared in ANC Today on 18th January under the title “Somalia needs African Solidarity” President Thabo Mbeki made an in-depth historical and philosophical analysis of the conflict situation in Somalia though he has not made any concrete proposals for solutions to the conflict. His recollections and nostalgic sentiments about Somalia’s role and contributions to Africa’s liberation struggle constituted the central theme of the letter. One significant omission in the Presidents letter was reference to the Mogadishu declaration of 1974 adopted by the OAU setting the course of action and strategy for Africa’s liberation including armed struggle. With due respect to the President we say now it is your turn and it is, indeed South Africa’s turn to help Somalia. It is time that your Excellency should demonstrate leadership as one of Africa’s great statesmen to extend your support and assistance to the Somali people in the spirit of African solidarity and brotherhood, as reflected in your letter. We sincerely hope that your Excellency will personally intervene to alleviate the agony and human suffering of the Somali refugees in your great country to ensure their safety and fundamental human rights.
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| After mass looting forced her to flee the Masiphumelele township in August, Ruqiyo Yusuf, 31, has reopened her store. |
The Government of South Africa should address the legitimate concerns and grievances of the Somali Refugee /immigrants and take appropriate measures, as a matter of priority, to ensure their safety, protection and well being. With their entrepreneurial skills, Somalis a proven track record to be successful in South African business as well as in various professional fields. It is therefore imperative that they are accorded, like other communities, equal opportunities without any threat or harassment so that they can play their part in the advancement of the socio-economic development of South Africa- their second home.
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| Abdi, 35, fled the war in Mogadishu last year and traveled penniless for three months to get to Cape Town. |
An important step to be taken by the Government may be to establish a Special Inquiry Commission to look into their complaints and make appropriate recommendations so as to alleviate their plight both in the short term and long term. Apart from stronger law enforcement measures against criminal thugs and hooligans which is urgently needed, the Government should also consider taking the initiative to encourage inter-communal dialogue and reconciliation in order to promote trust, understanding and social harmony within the business community including of course the Somalis. It goes without saying that intervention on these lines both, at central and local levels, would go a long way in creating a peaceful and healthy environment in which South Africans and Somalis would live together side by side peacefully and join hands to pool their talents and resources for the socio economic development of this great prosperous African nation, South Africa. Under the wise leadership and able guidance of President Thabo Mbeki such an endeavor would be a shining example of true" African solidarity" which the Somali refugees in South Africa desperately need today!
