S. African groups voice opposition to Obama’s visit in protest against U. S. policies

JOHANNESBURG. As U. S. President Barrack Obama’s visit to South Africa is drawing near, some political groups on Thursday voiced opposition to his trip in protest against the U.S. 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 (Cosatu) on Thursday called on workers to demonstrate against Obama’s visit.Bongani Masuku, international relations secretary of the Cosatu, accused the U.S. and other multinational companies of “the ruthless and savage looting of the natural resources in close collaboration with corrupt elites in various countries.”“The U.S. policies of nuclear proliferation and arming of space would be to the detriment of peace, justice, democracy and human rights,” the secretary pointed out.“We want the U.S. to free the four Libyan security officers serving in the U.S. jails who are accused of espionage,” he said. “The five Cuban intelligence officers did not receive a fair trial in the U.S. courts.”Masuku said, “There are the U.S. special operation forces in different countries, which are largely responsible for the destabilization of various countries.” “The U.S. Africa Command is said to be involved in direct or indirect military-to-military relationships with 54 African countries,” he added.The Cosatu was convinced that the U.S. 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 U. S. President Barak Obama to our country.”“Our rejection is based the U.S.’s arrogant, selfish and oppressive foreign policies, treatment of workers and international trade relations that are rooted in war mongering, neo-liberal super-exploitation, colonial racism and the disregard and destruction of the environment, making the realization 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. Enditem .