Peace Can’t Be a One-Sided Move

Nelson Mandela has wisely rejected appeals from the Africa National Congress to renounce the use of violence while South Africa pursues its policies of violent repression through the state of emergency. At the same time, however, the ANC has, with equal wisdom, suspended acts of violence.

Mandela is not advocating a breach in efforts to negotiate a non-racial and democratic future for his country. He is underscoring the reality that violence can be ended, and a peaceful transition encouraged, only if the white minority government as well as the non-white majority suspend the use of violence. The ANC has proposed reasonable conditions for negotiations, including lifting the national emergency, releasing all political prisoners and assuring a safe return for those now in exile. A joint affirmation by the ANC and the government, matching acceptance of those conditions by the government with a commitmentagainst violence on the part of the ANC, would make a substantial contribution to the peaceeffort.

Violence will not be easily curbed. Continuing violence in Natal province between rival black African groups has been cited by President Frederik W. de Klerk to justify continuation of the state of emergency. The Natal situation is indeed troubling. It is a confrontation between the United Democratic Front, a broad-based coalition allied with the ANC, and the Inkatha movement, with close ties to the traditional leadership of the Zulus, the most numerous of the African tribal groups. Thus far, peace appeals from Mandela and Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, leader of Inkatha and of the state of Kwazulu, have failed to stem the violence that has claimed 3,000 lives. But their appeals have confirmed their own commitments to end the strife, to work for a peaceful solution.