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The Democratic Alliance is disappointed by the silence of both the South African government and the African Union in calling out Uganda on their passing of the anti-gay bill and its extreme consequences.

It is so often that South Africa is quick to talk about human rights atrocities around the world but when their own continent is pushing us back into the dark ages, they are embarrassingly silent.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been pushing the role model laws that serve as a guide for countries not just in SADC but in the African Union to progress towards a road map of freedom that would pick Africa up from some of the most bigoted and prejudiced atrocities in Africa that are responsible for vigilantism, breakdown of the family unit and ultimately violence and genocide.

To legitimise this victimisation would lead to an acceleration of human rights abuses not just in that country but if not condemned by neighbouring countries and the African Union can lead to more draconian laws being passed by not just Uganda but other countries that will put Africa on a path to a slippery free fall.

We will be using all our channels in SADC, the Africa Liberal Network and Liberal International for an international voice to condemn the Ugandan government for their irrational and offensive bill.

President Cyril Ramaphosa owes it not just to South Africa or to the African continent but he owes it to the seat he occupies on the African Union to fight for the rights of every person on this continent to live in a progressive continent that is maturing and allowing the people of Africa a voice and not just the legislators.

Issued by Darren Bergman MP - DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation