After Algeria, South Africa confronts new independence movement
The South African government is facing a growing independence movement in the Cape. Led by white Afrikaners descended from Dutch settlers, the movement is organized under the Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG). Its leaders plan to travel to the United States in April to seek support from Donald Trump, who stated in February that South Africa's white minority is the victim of unjust racial discrimination.
The CIAG is calling on South African authorities to hold a self-determination referendum in the Cape— a request that was rejected this week by President Cyril Ramaphosa. His spokesperson, as reported by local media, reaffirmed the government's stance:
«Our constitutional democracy that we forged in 1994 created a singular nonracial society that recognises and protects our unity and diversity. From Musina to Cape Town we are one democratic society that should never be allowed to fall under the chasm of race divides», he emphasized.
«There's no part of our beautiful land that can be allowed to secede. The president cautions everyone to exercise his or her constitutional right but to do so in the manner that does not undermine and subvert constitutional democracy in South Africa», the spokesperson warned.
Ramaphosa's firm rejection of Cape independence echoes Algeria's stance on the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), led by Ferhat Mehenni. Algiers has even classified the MAK as a terrorist organization. Yet, despite opposing separatist movements within their own borders, both Algiers and Pretoria remain staunch allies of the Polisario.
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