afrol News, 24 January - The South African government's action to ask the UN to delay the listing of two of its citizens as having links with Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda and the ousted Taliban regime in Afghanistan is one of the first of its kind, contrasting most US-sceptical European countries. Junaid Dockrat, a Johannesburg dentist and his cousin, Farhad Ahmed Dockrat, had been named by the US government as terror suspects.
The request to include the two suspects on the list was only made last week. Unless a UN member objects to their listing, the duo would be automatically named terror suspects, thus leaving South African Foreign Minister Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, in thinking spree.
But today, South Africa is bold enough to ask the UN to delay its decision to name the Dockrat cousins as suspects who finance and recruit for al-Qaeda.
South Africa's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa called the decision tantamount to an objection by the South African government, which is trying to dialogue with the Washington government over the issue.
Until Tuesday evening, Mrs Dlamini Zuma did not know how to tackle the matter.
An urgent letter sent to her office by the lawyer of the suspects that his clients were "confident that there is no factual basis whatsoever, which would justify their being listed on the so-called United Nations list of persons associated with al-Qaeda" motivated the South African government to call a spade a spade.
Lawyer Shaheed Dollie asked the government to clarify the reports instead of accepting it without reservation.
The UN Security Council was requested by the US government to include Junaid and Ahmed Dockrat on the list of terror suspects on 18 January.
But Mr Dollie said his clients and their families have already been traumatised by the negative media publicity in South Africa, which would have negative effects on their businesses. He said the men and their businesses have since been put under surveillance.
The South African citizens would have their assets and bank accounts frozen and prohibited from worldwide trade and travel if put on the UN's terrorist list.
South Africa has until Friday to give reasons why the two should not be on the list.
South Africa's decision is unique and a complete departure from those of other countries who were in a hurry to accept the demands of the US on such issues - or simply failed to consider them.
For instance, the Swedish government did not waste time to allow its citizen to be named as one of the five men whose assets must be frozen by the US Finance Department after they were accused of supporting terrorist networks, including those of al-Qaeda last December.
The US had not tabled any proofs to justify the listing. The 41-year-old man was only named as a member of the inner circle around the assassinated al-Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqazi and that he represented him in Europe on matters relating to chemical and biological weapons.
Based on another earlier doubtful listing of a Swedish citizen, the Stockholm government now faces strong criticism for not acting against the UN decision in time. Earlier, a Swede of Moroccan descent had to fight for years to be cleared from unfounded terrorism suspicions to which there were never were presented any proof. Meanwhile, he was not even allowed to work, have a bank account or receive money.
While the South African action is unique, law specialists doubt whether Minister Dlamini Zuma's standing up for her citizens will have any effect. A Senior Lecturer at South Africa's University of Witwatersrand Law School, Mia Swart, told the national news agency 'Sapa' that as a member of the UN, South Africa would be left with no choice other than accepting the UN demands.
"It is difficult to apply the construct of diplomatic protection to these men ... South Africa has to comply with United Nations guidelines as a member state," she was quoted as saying. Only good proof of their innocence could rescue them from being listed, while no proof has to be presented to demand their blacklisting.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español