Unions, Youth to Demonstrate Against Obama During South African Visit

Thousands of workers from the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) gathered in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town to protest against conditions inside the country. People opposed contract labor and e-tolls., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Obama’s SA visit triggers demonstrations

Saturday, 22 June 2013 00:00

JOHANNESBURG. — As US President Barrack Obama’s visit to South Africa is drawing near, some political groups on Thursday voiced opposition to his trip in protest against US policies towards Africa and elsewhere.

Obama is scheduled to visit South Africa on June 26.

As part of the ruling tripartite alliance in the South African government, the Congress of South African Trade Unions on Thursday called on workers to demonstrate against Obama’s visit.

Bongani Masuku, international relations secretary of Cosatu, accused the US and other multinational companies of “the ruthless and savage looting of the natural resources in close collaboration with corrupt elites in various countries.”

“The US policies of nuclear proliferation and arming of space would be to the detriment of peace, justice, democracy and human rights,” Masuku pointed out.

“We want the US to free the four Libyan security officers serving in the US jails who are accused of espionage,” he said.

“The five Cuban intelligence officers did not receive a fair trial in the US courts.”

Masuku said, “There are the US special operation forces in different countries, which are largely responsible for the destabilisation of various countries.

“The US Africa Command is said to be involved in direct or indirect military-to-military relationships with 54 African countries,” he added.

Cosatu is convinced that US policies perpetuate unequal and exploitative trade relations and underdevelopment in Africa and the rest of the developing world.

The Young Communist League of South Africa is joining the demonstration against Obama’s visit.

Richard Mamabolo from the Young Communist League of South Africa said, “We declare our utmost rejection of visit of US President Barak Obama to our country.”

“Our rejection is based on the US’ arrogant, selfish and oppressive foreign policies, treatment of workers and international trade relations that are rooted in warmongering, neo-liberal super-exploitation, colonial racism and the disregard and destruction of the environment, making the realisation of a just and peaceful world impossible,” he said.

The Muslim Lawyers Association in South Africa on Thursday said they had written to the National Prosecuting Authority, asking them to arrest Obama for human rights violations in various parts of the world.

— Xinhua.