A recent incident occurred in Warsaw, where the convoy of the South African delegation was stopped and humiliated at the airport for 24 hours. This diplomatic delegation was made up of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s security corps and journalists accompanying him on his trip, in the hope of fostering peace between Ukraine and Russia.
When they arrived in Poland, they were arrested, threatened and searched like never before. One of the key figures in this case is Scott Ritter, an American ex-military, special forces trainer and former US intelligence and security officer. His experience and expertise make him apt to reveal certain unknown truths.
Racial discrimination in Poland
Scott Ritter claimed that Poland is one of the most racist countries in the world and that Poles despise black people. At the start of the war in Ukraine, many Africans living there tried to flee to Poland, which is the closest border to Kiev. Unfortunately, they were victims of atrocious discrimination, not only on the trains, but also at the border.
While Ukrainians were allowed through, all Africans were refused entry. They were told to go home, where the bombs were exploding. They were threatened, and in some cases, so as not to appear too racist, they claimed to give priority to women and children. But even a woman who protested that she was also a woman was refused entry. It was specific discrimination against a group of women.
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Presidential protection: Unequal treatment in different countries
It is important to mention that when an American delegation visits a country, it does not announce its composition in terms of security and protection. American boarding tools are not declared, as they are part of the protection of the American presidency. However, the South Africans were threatened by the failure to declare arms belonging to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s private security service, which accompanied him to the war-torn Ukraine. It was therefore legitimate to take safety measures. Obviously, some protection is needed for Americans when they travel, and it’s not acceptable for their diplomatic or security delegation to be stopped and searched, as happened in Poland.
USA and Poland take on South Africa
Poland’s attitude was probably prompted by the United States. According to Scott Ritter, Poland is not in the habit of threatening people independently. That’s why he thinks the United States asked Poland to take this step, to send a strong message. South Africa is clearly the target, as it has shown that it will not stop President Putin when he arrives in Pretoria for the next meeting in Brussels in August.
South Africa has signed the International Criminal Court document, which obliges it to arrest anyone wanted by the ICC if necessary. South Africa’s independent stance is disturbing, and Poles are unhappy to see South Africa making its own decisions on the world stage. And despite the sanctions applied, in particular exclusion from the AGOA program, they have refused to change the laws of the land.
A call for equality for all African citizens
It should be noted that if this had been a foreign country, the treatment would have been different. It is unacceptable to treat a diplomatic corps in this way. Africans can’t command respect under such conditions. African countries should be able to choose their own destiny and direction, and should also benefit from democratic space. Why should Western countries have privileges and other countries not? We need to reflect on how African civilians are treated, because if a diplomatic corps can be treated in this way, it’s essential to be vigilant about our own treatment as citizens.
This case raises important questions about the sovereignty of African countries and their ability to make independent decisions. Africa’s response to such situations is crucial to preserving its dignity and respect on the international stage.
Totally inspired by Zack Mwekassa’s video
