Die sogenaamde verowerde gebied: Omstrede grensstreek tussen die Oranje-Vrystaat en Lesotho (Basoetoland)

Abstract

Lesotho, who has recently laid claim to parts of the eastern Free State, the so-called Conquered Territory, is disputing the legality of the boundary between Lesotho and the RSA. The boundary was, however, fixed as the result of an historical process and in accordance with the principles of international law. The article deals with the circumstances obtaining when the disputed area was first occupied, the opposing claims to it and the initial efforts to deal with the growing boundary question by negotiation and treaty. When the first Basuto War (1858) broke out because of recurrent boundary violations, the policy of negotiation had given place to military confrontation. The war concluded with the first treaty of Aliwal-North which contained boundary stipulations but did not achieve lasting peace. In 1865 a second and in 1868 a third frontier war broke out. The last one (1868) ended when Great Britain annexed Basutoland in March 1868 and the second treaty of Aliwal North was signed in 1869. The boundary determined by this treaty is very similar to that agreed upon earlier, such as in the Southey Treaty (1848) and the Wodehouse Treaty (1864). The real extent of the so-called Conquered Territory is indicated in the article by a map and a list of the original farms within this area.