No One Is A Winner In Cabinda

By Atlas Al

Recently, I read a good blog post by seasoned travel writer Rick Steves on worldhum.com called My Hunch About Iran. In it, he said, “My strong hunch is that Iranians need to earn their freedom (as France, the U.S. and South Africa all did), and support in spirit from the U.S. is the most we should give.” I, too, agree that freedom should be earned, but not at the expense of innocent soccer players from a visiting country.

In the January 9^th, 2010 article, Togo Government Tells Team to Quit Cup of Nations, the BBC reported that the bus carrying the Togolese football team was shot at upon entering the Angolan province of Cabinda from the Congo side. The bus driver, assistant manager, and press officer died in the attack.

For sure, many people who hadn’t heard of Cabinda now know where it is and what they want: independence from Angola. But the manner in which they attracted publicity for their cause is not good indeed.

UNPO and FLEC

The Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) – who represents Cabinda at the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) – claimed responsibility for the brutal attacks. One of the five principles of the UNPO’s Covenant is the “promotion of non-violence and the rejection of terrorism as an instrument of policy.” Cabinda has some explaining to do.

I interviewed UNPO General Secretary, Marino Busdachin, who said, “Members who commit acts of violence, aggression, or terrorism are generally suspended or withdrawn from the UNPO, unless it was an act of self-defense.”

Cabinda, top left of Angola

Since the creation of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization in 1991, 30 members have been kicked out because of a lack of representation, or for committing violent/aggressive/terrorist acts, and Abkhazia was the first UNPO member to have its membership revoked in 1991. Problems in Abkhazia escalated and eventually led to the Abkhazian-Georgian War of 1992-1993.

Former members must wait two years after being kicked out to reapply for UNPO membership. (Abkhazia is a member once again.) If Cabinda gets the boot, they can reapply for membership in 2012.

Sporting events and politics should never be mixed. So why does nationalism rear its ugly head in times of friendly international competition? Members of political movements, just like in sports, don’t want to lose. They’ll do whatever it takes to win, including taking cheap shots at the opposing team’s citizens/players.

The Cup of Nations will continue as planned and Togo’s soccer team will basically be disqualified from the tournament because its government wanted them to come home.

I support independence movements. But we must accept the fact they are not a separate country – YET – and if you shagged a Cabindan, you got the Angolan flag.

Flagging, Flags of the World